Hello! I'm a junior and considering joining the military after graduation, then college. I've heard from a few people that not all colleges are 'military-friendly'. Can someone shed light on this, maybe give examples of what might make a college not so friendly towards military students? I want to be prepared when I apply.
Sure, happy to shed some light. When we talk about a college or university being 'military-friendly', it generally means the institution makes accommodations and offers resources to support the unique needs of military members, veterans, and their families. This can come in many forms, including:
1. Having a veteran's affairs office or designated staff member who can help with military benefits and transitional issues.
2. Offering scholarships or tuition discounts specifically for military members/veterans.
3. Providing flexible scheduling or online classes to accommodate deployments, trainings, or other military commitments.
4. Affiliation with the Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps veterans attend expensive private schools or out-of-state schools at little to no personal cost.
A college that's not as 'military-friendly' might lack these services. For example, a college without a veteran's affairs office might make it difficult for a military member to navigate their benefits, or a college without flexible scheduling options might not be feasible for someone with a demanding military schedule.
It's also important to consider the campus culture. Some campuses may not have a large veteran population, making it potentially difficult for military members to find peer support.
It's really about what you need individually. As long as a college can meet those needs and provide a welcoming, supportive environment for veteran and military students, it can be considered 'military-friendly'. So when you're researching, look not only at what the colleges advertise in terms of their military-friendly services but also try to get testimonies or reviews from other military students if possible. This can give you a more accurate picture of the environment you'll be moving into.
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