What does it mean to join a military friendly institution? Aren’t all college institutions friendly and in the frame of mind of fostering an inclusive environment? There are buzzwords used throughout recruitment and PR initiatives to send the message that by joining and enrolling at a specific university, you will find a safe space and the resources necessary to help you succeed. Service members who are looking to pursue education, either while serving or after serving, should be looking for institutions that help guide them through the enrollment process, institutions that maximize their benefits, and institutions where they feel they belong.

What are some ways that institutions can and should signal to prospective military-affiliated students that they are in fact “friendly?”

Promote Your Dedicated Financial Supports

Outside of the Post 9/11 GI Bill®, there are other financial programs that can help offset education costs for service members and their families. Affiliating with initiatives like the Yellow Ribbon Program can help alleviate the costs for out-of-state institutions, private or foreign schools, and graduate school tuition and fees that may exceed the coverage provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®.

Does your campus offer a military-affiliated scholarship? Offering supplementary scholarship opportunities for current and former service members not only provides financial support for necessities like books and fees, but also facilitates access to essential resources such as laptops, and specialized software subscriptions. Donors often designate their preferences for the allocation of their contributions.

Promote Your Internship and Career Readiness Resources

Some military branches offer transition programs designed to ease the shift from military service to civilian careers, incorporating internships to prepare participants for academic pursuits and eventual employment outside the military. Familiarity with such programs enables faculty and staff to effectively guide individuals from the military towards relevant skills applicable to their academic and professional endeavors. For instance, the DOD SkillBridge program enables service members to gain practical experience in various industries through apprenticeships, internships, or targeted training, allowing them to explore new interests and bridge any skill gaps they may have. Institutions should also create their own relationships with local or regional employers to create military-affiliated internship opportunities.

Promote Your On-Campus Resources

Engaging with on-campus resources like student veteran centers or veteran/military clubs to collaborate on organizing events and webinars can offer valuable insights into the student experience for prospective students. These particular resources have a wealth of knowledge on the student experience and how to support students as they transition to college. Campus sponsored webinars can cover a range of topics, from adjusting to college life and accessing financial resources, to navigating life in the college town. These discussions are crucial as students embark on a new chapter, often in unfamiliar terrain. Transition challenges can also be addressed through workshops and connecting with college career centers to further enhance support for transitioning students.

Promote Your Off-Campus Organizations

There are many off-campus resources available to assist military personnel in transitioning to higher education and into their new communities. Campuses should create and sustain relationships with their local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and take part in national VSOs like Student Veterans of America (SVA) that provide support, advocacy, and educational resources. What other off-campus partnerships do you work with or could you work with?

Demonstrate That You Understand the Lingo

Familiarize yourself, and some staff, with military terminology, including titles and important documents such as PT exams, DD214s, JSTs, and annual reviews, as well as their significance. Recognize how skills acquired in the military can be applied and translated effectively. Although the military utilizes numerous acronyms, grasping the fundamentals can greatly aid in communication and understanding.

Revamp Your Marketing

What words are you using on your military-affiliated webpages? Are they inclusive and indicative of the current experiences of prospective students? Has your military-affiliated webpage not been updated in the past 5 years?

Having information accessible that is dedicated to military students can be one way to go beyond recruitment and PR buzzwords. You could incorporate student profiles, data about career outcomes, and a class profile. Breaking down the information can be useful for service members to know if your institution is a good fit. Social media is another way to engage.

Providing the support, and representation, to those serving can signal that your institution is well equipped to receive service members and their families and help in the transition to education, while also showcasing a diverse commitment to many communities.

What other ways are you signaling to prospective military-affiliated students that your institution is a welcoming place that will set them up for success? 

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans Workplace Inclusion

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