Hunting for Military-friendly Colleges

Is anybody aware of any military-friendly colleges that are supportive and accommodating to students who plan to join the service before attending college? I'm thinking about this seriously and want to have a solid plan in place.

Absolutely, there are definitely colleges that are known to be military-friendly and provide resources and accommodations specifically for service members. One notable example is the University of Maryland Global Campus. It was initially established specifically to serve military students and working adults. Courses are designed to be flexible to accommodate different schedules, including online class options, and they offer dedicated services such as veterans advising.

Arizona State University is another great choice. They established the Pat Tillman Veterans Center to provide active duty military members, veterans, and their dependents with guidance and assistance. The center is named after Pat Tillman, an ASU alumnus who left his professional football career to serve in the Army following the events of September 11th.

Colorado State University also stands out. It has a strong veterans support system, including a "New Start for Student Veterans" program, which offers services to help with the transition to student life, peer mentoring, and academic support.

Finally, many schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon program, which makes additional funds available for education without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement. These schools contribute a specified amount of money to your tuition and fees, and the Department of Veterans Affairs matches that amount.

As you consider colleges, be sure to examine what specific support is in place for service members, such as counseling to discuss educational benefits, dedicated study spaces, veterans student organizations, and staff that are knowledgeable about the unique challenges military students may encounter.