Colleges and universities are doing wonderful things to support military-affiliated students, such as participating in the Yellow Ribbon program, but some have gone above and beyond with extra special services and programs.
The list below is not all-inclusive or a ranking of merit awards (though it doesn’t hurt to mention it); Rather, it serves to provide examples of where human-centered approaches made a positive impact on their military-affiliated student communities.
2025 Higher Education Highlights for Military-Affiliated Students
University of North Dakota – Received 2025-26 Military Friendly® School Gold recognition and Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly® School, which means this school provided exceptional support and proved it did so. A couple of examples are their Military 101 sessions for their faculty and staff, and the Military Affiliated Peer Support program. Also, check out their Veterans Honor Wall!
Appalachian State University - Received the 2025-26 Military Friendly® School Gold recognition, making it their 16th consecutive year. Offers extra assistance, such as the GY6 Emergency Scholarship, and the Military Affairs Committee, dedicated to providing personalized support.
University of Central Florida – Holds multiple accolades such as 2025-26 Military Friendly® School Silver recognition, Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly® School, Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus, and 2025 Military Friendly Best Online Colleges for good reason. Provides financial assistance over breaks with the Honorably Discharged Graduate Assistance Program through the Florida Department of Education. Provides services like UCF RESTORES, which treats mental health, and serves 500 veterans and counting. Recently joined the Service to Service initiative alongside 20+ other colleges and universities that began in the Fall of 2025.
Brown University – This school is expanding financial support for the 2026-2027 academic year, providing an unlimited match for any graduate program (master’s and doctoral) tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Launched peer mentoring and networking support through the Cisneros Veterans Scholars Program.
Northeast Lakeview College – Opened their Nighthawk Legacy Center in November 2025 as a dedicated space for their military-affiliated students where they can have tailored academic advising, resources, transition assistance, and other support.
Midland College – Started a free Veterans Book Club to build a community environment where they can explore themes of military service, war, PTSD, rehabilitation, and transition to civilian life. Provides up to 150 hours of tuition exemption via the Hazlewood Act in Texas and offers direct veteran resources like the Military Veteran Peer Network.
Purdue University – Through their Military Family Research Institute (MFRI), the Reaching Rural Veterans initiative provides unique outreach support to veterans in remote, underserved rural areas, and served approximately 1,000 so far.
Kennesaw State University – As a Military Support College of Distinction, the school connects its students to more than 20 local and national organizations for both on-campus and off-campus support. Provides Green Zone Training to help faculty, staff, and other students better understand military-affiliated students and is the only school in the state to have the VA VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) on site.
Arizona State University – Through the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, provides multiple niche scholarships specific to their students, which include the Military Affiliated Scholarship, Military Active Duty and Reservist Commitment Scholarship, and the latest Lisa and Rick Ampil Scholarship.
Penn State – Houses the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness. Provides the Veterans First Year Seminar “Transition is the Mission” program. Offers Penn State World Campus financial support via Military Grant-in-Aid. Partners with the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy’s (SGM-A) Fellowship program.
Whether it is a seemingly small gesture or a broad suite of services, many colleges and universities are serving those who served through meaningful initiatives and programs directly geared toward military-affiliated students. In higher education, it translates to personal and community engagement, real connection, and customized environments that help students integrate into academic life. This type of impact extends beyond campuses and into communities. Here's to another great year ahead!
