Student Veterans Organization members host a flag raising ceremony in front of the Administrative Services building in honor of Patriots Day on Sept. 11. Photo by Adam Hammer ’05
St. Cloud State is among the nation’s top 20 percent of schools that deliver the best experience for military students, according to the 2014 Military Friendly Schools list developed by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs.
Victory Media describes its military-friendly list as schools that offer military students the best services, programs, discounts, scholarships, clubs, networking and staff.
“Being included in the military-friendly list is recognition that St. Cloud State is in support of all veterans, including the Reserves, National Guard, Coast Guard and dependents of veterans,” said Monique Coleman, director of the Veterans Resource Center at St. Cloud State. Coleman started as the center’s first director in July.
St. Cloud State, which serves about 700 student veterans each school year, has earned the military-friendly designation each year since 2009.
Besides the already outstanding services that St. Cloud State provides for veteran students such as offering in-state tuition and waiving application fees, the Veterans Resource Center is making plans for peer-to-peer mentoring, veteran alumni services and more.
“There are initiatives coming that will significantly excel our impact,” Coleman said.
The 2014 list of nearly 1,880 schools represents the top tier of U.S. colleges, universities and trade schools, as certified by Ernst & Young, one of the world’s largest accounting and professional services firms. Now in its fifth year, the Military Friendly Schools list targets brick-and-mortar schools and virtual schools approved for Veterans Administration tuition funding.
Victory Media approaches more than 10,000 schools, asking for participation in an annual survey to help military personnel, veterans and military dependents find top schools.
Based in suburban Pittsburgh, Penn., Victory Media targets an estimated 8 million military members and veterans seeking a college degree. Victory Media owns and operates five global brands: G.I. Jobs, G.I. Education, NaVOBA, Vetrepreneur and Military Spouse.
