Best Schools for Vets: How to Find a Veteran-Friendly College
Supportive universities result in exceptional graduates. Learn about veteran-friendly colleges and what to prioritize in your post-military college search.
Pacific University was recently named as one of the best colleges for veterans and former military personnel in the Northwest by militarysupportivecolleges.com! See how you can use your GI Bill® benefits to fund your education by talking to an admissions counselor today.
Benefits for honorably discharged veterans have only expanded since the creation of the GI Bill in 1944 during World War II.
Since then, the opportunities for service members have grown to include stipends that can cover part — or even the entire — cost of a college education at the vocational, undergraduate, or graduate level.
But with countless universities across the country eligible to receive GI Bill benefits, how do you choose?
Here’s what you should consider when exploring the best schools for veterans.
1. Browse the VA Approved Schools List
The Department of Veterans Affairs (often abbreviated to the VA) authorizes GI Bill benefits for higher education in every single US state and select territories.
This means that regardless of where you want to get your degree, schools that accept the GI Bill will be available in your area.
To better see how much tuition is waived at specific schools, the VA has created a GI Bill Comparison Tool that allows you to quickly compare funding amounts and housing allowances.
Can GI Bill Benefits Apply to Private Universities?
Both public and private universities accept GI Bill benefits. However, private school tuition is only partially waived by the GI Bill.
It is for this reason that Pacific participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, an extension of the GI Bill that covers the remaining tuition for private colleges.
Pacific is one of only a handful of private colleges in Oregon that fully matches tuition through this program, making higher education that much more accessible for veterans.
2. Explore Financial Aid and Scholarships for Veterans
Whether using only a partial amount or the entirety of your GI Bill education assistance, it is still worthwhile to submit a completed FAFSA and see if your school offers Federal Work-Study programs.
In addition to federal financial aid, many universities who accept GI Bill benefits offer grants and scholarships for veterans. Pacific’s Veteran's Endowed Scholarship is an annual aid package for those who can demonstrate need beyond what is awarded in the GI Bill.
3. Look for Veteran Services on Campus
The best schools for veterans are those that provide not only monetary support through VA benefits but also comprehensive services for former service members.
When looking for VA-approved schools make sure that the higher education institution provides:
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A Student Veteran Center. On-campus veterans services, like those at Pacific, are essential in helping former service members adjust to college life by connecting them with their school’s veteran community.
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Comprehensive medical and mental health services. Whether seeking out a one-on-one or group setting for mental or physical health, highly-trained medical professionals can greatly help veterans through a student health plan.
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Support for non-traditional students. Many who make use of their GI Bill benefits enter university in their mid-late twenties, and sharing classes with eighteen-year-old first year students can feel alienating.
Finding communities of older students can help ease the transition into university life, both in terms of socializing and academics.
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Majors well-suited to veterans. Former service members can enter any major they choose, but colleges with established departments in degrees that allow veterans to transfer their skills can be especially helpful.
Degrees such as criminal justice, computer science, engineering, and social work (the VA is the largest employer of social workers in the country) are all great options that utilize military training.
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Knowledgeable admissions counselors. Admissions counselors are an invaluable resource when researching and applying to colleges.
Many schools have counselors who specialize in helping veterans submit successful applications.
4. Locate Municipal Veteran Services
Having access to local and federal veteran services either in the same town as your prospective college or in close proximity can make transitioning to the university environment much easier.
The best schools for veterans are near VA health campuses, regional support centers, and Department of Veterans Affairs offices, all three of which can be found in the Portland-Metro area close to both Pacific’s Forest Grove and Hillsboro locations.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. Government website.
Our rolling application window is still open for fall 2024! Inquire today and see what scholarships and financial aid you are eligible for!