Understanding Military Friendly Colleges

Hey everyone, recently I've been hearing a lot about 'military-friendly' colleges. As someone interested in possibly joining the armed forces, I'm naturally curious. Can any of you help explain what makes a college 'military friendly' and how do they accommodate military or veteran students?

A 'military-friendly' college is one that has tailored policies, programs, and resources to support current and former military personnel. They cater to the unique needs of military members and veterans, offering academic, financial, and social assistance.

Here are some essential markers of a college being 'military-friendly':

1. Yellow Ribbon Program Participation: Colleges participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program are helping to cover the extra cost of tuition that may not be rendered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This significantly reduces the financial burden for veterans.

2. Credit for Military Training: Colleges that translate military expertise into academic credit can help veterans to fast track their degrees. The American Council on Education’s (ACE) recommendations are often used to gauge which military training could count for credit.

3. Flexible Scheduling: Deployments, drills, and change of duty locations can disrupt a military student’s education. Universities understanding these circumstances and offering online classes, asynchronous coursework, or alternative scheduling demonstrate a military-friendly nature.

4. Comprehensive Support: Schools that offer counseling, academic tutoring, and career services specifically tailored for military students are showing an understanding of the unique experiences and challenges they face.

5. Veteran Organizations on Campus: If a college has organizations or clubs committed to veterans, it helps foster a sense of community and understanding among students with common experiences.

6. Dedicated Military Liaison or Veterans Affairs Office: These offer a go-to source for military students to help navigate the academic environment, understand their benefits, solve any issues that arise, and connect them with resources.

7. Vocational Rehabilitation or VA Work-Study Opportunities: These provide opportunities for transitional employment and career building.

Please note that it's imperative to research the services offered by each prospective college. Institutions that rate highly in these areas usually receive 'military-friendly' designations from various organizations and publications.