For a college to earn the distinction of being Veteran-friendly, they need more than a marketing campaign. Schools need programs in place that offer Veterans financial, academic and social support.
Here are tips for discovering if your local colleges are truly Veteran-friendly:
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Financially Feasible
— Make sure you examine several financial factors when choosing a college, including the cost per-credit-hour and the overall cost of the program. The GI Bill outlines various caps that can affect the amount of money that is covered in tuition expenses. The cost per-credit-hour needs to be under $250. In addition, the program cost for full, out-of-state tuition at public schools, and all private and foreign schools, needs to be below $17,500.
Veteran Support Programs
Find out if the school participates in scholarships available through the Yellow Ribbon Program for out-of-state and private institutions. Find out if they are currently participating in the Department of Education program called Veterans Upward Bound. It’s critical to get in touch with any Veterans’ offices, departments or representatives to find out how robust the support for Veterans is. Choose a school that has invested resources in providing Veterans with the most services.
Academic Support
Ask about any program designed to give extra academic support to Veterans such as tutoring, mentoring programs or Veteran-only classes.
Veteran Student Organizations
Ask school representatives about any Veteran Student Organizations that exist on campus. Consider how active these groups are and how many members they have. Before applying, arrange a meeting with a few other Veterans currently enrolled to find out tips and tricks when navigating the enrollment process.
Veteran-Friendly Policies
Consider whether your ACE credits will transfer into college credit. Also, look into any special provisions in the in-state residency policies to accommodate Vets who may have to move.
Track Record
One of the most important pieces of information to obtain is the school’s accreditation status. You want to look for accreditation by an agency that is recognized by the US Department of Education. Attending schools that are not properly accredited can affect the kinds of government loans available to students. Also, ask school representatives about retention and graduation rates, as well as career resources and job placement programs.