UC Gets National Recognition for Its Educational Opportunities for the Nation s Veterans

For the second year in a row, the University of Cincinnati is highlighted among 15 percent of the nation’s higher educational institutions for embracing the nation’s veterans as students. G.I. Jobs, published by a veteran-owned business, released its 2011 list of military friendly schools on Aug. 16.

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. All of the institutions share the common bond of recruiting students with military experience.

“This list is especially important now because the Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, GI Jobs publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”

Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students. The list was compiled from research in which GI Jobs polled more than 7,000 of the nation’s educational institutions.

UC was a leader among the state’s four-year institutions in its participation in the federal Yellow Ribbon GI Enhancement Program, which expands tuition benefits to post-9/11 veterans. Support services at UC also include federal approval for the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post/911 GI Bill; counseling services; clearance for military students called to active duty to return to UC without penalties for withdrawing from school; distance-learning options; and UC ROTC Programs (Army and Air Force).

UC’s Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program was recognized as one of the top units in the nation, as the Bearcat Battalion became one of only eight Army ROTC programs to receive the distinguished 2010 MacArthur Awards.

Support services for veterans are also highlighted in the university’s Proudly Cincinnati campaign. The Proudly Cincinnati “Salute to Service” initiative, announced at a university Veterans Day service last November, aims to raise funding to support the following:

• A center to provide comprehensive services for veteran or military students
• Partial tuition scholarships
• State-of-the-art training equipment for cadets
• Room and board supplements for military and veteran students

UC Foundation reports that so far, the Salute to Service campaign has raised more than $100,000 with the support of 22 donors.

The detailed list of military schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Schools, which will be distributed by GI Jobs to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in late September. The website, which currently shows the 2010 Military Friendly Schools, will switch to the 2011 list in late September.

G.I. Jobs is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business headquartered in Pittsburgh.

Yellow Ribbon Program at UC

UC Veterans Educational Benefits Information

GI Jobs/UC Profile

List of Military Friendly Schools

Proudly Cincinnati: Salute to Service