G.I. Jobs, the premier magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded the University of Central Arkansas the designation of Military Friendly School. The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members and veterans as students, according to G.I. Jobs.
“Being designated as a military-friendly school is a true honor. It tells us that people recognize our respect for and commitment to the men and women of our armed forces and their families,” said Brooks Walthall, UCA’s coordinator of veteran services. “We feel it is essential that we help lead the way in recognizing the sacrifices made by and for these individuals, and we consider it a privilege to count them as our students.”
UCA’s Office of Veteran Services helps soldiers and their families receive GI Bill benefits as well as help them with other sources of potential assistance and campus/community resources.
“Our mission is to make sure that every soldier and family member have access to the benefits they have earned, have all the information they need to make informed decisions about their benefits, and that they have the appropriate support and encouragement needed to help them attain their educational goal,” Walthall said. “We are proud to be able to give something back to those who have already given us so much.”
Institutions designated as “Military Friendly Schools” are those making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans’ clubs, full-time staff, military credit and other services to those who served, according to G.I. Jobs. The 2012 list of “Military Friendly Schools” was compiled through extensive research and a data driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. G.I. Jobs incorporated a survey of student veterans for the first time. This feedback provides prospective military students with insight into the student veteran experience at a particular institution based on peer reviews from current students.