Feb. 3, 2012
The 2012 Guide to Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities has named Catholic University to its list of colleges and universities that have instituted initiatives for military veterans to begin or return to school.The guide appears in the publication Military Advanced Education , which offers active military personnel and veterans information about higher education opportunities across the country.The University was one of only two in the District of Columbia to be named to the list, the other being the Graduate School USA. Integral to the University being chosen is its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, among other criteria.
Catholic University has been participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2009. The program funds tuition and fee expenses that exceed the maximum amount paid by the Post 9/11 GI Bill® for eligible veterans.
"We began offering the program first through our Metropolitan School of Professional Studies, then expanded it to undergraduate and graduate programs," says Ed Schaefer, veterans affairs coordinator at Catholic University. "With our foundation firmly in place, veterans can be assured of a smooth transition from military to student life."
According to Schaefer, student veterans have requested that the University's Columbus School of Law also become part of the Yellow Ribbon Program. They'll get their wish in fall 2012 when the program will be offered at the law school. With that addition, all 12 of CUA's schools will be part of the program.
"Our participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program represents a strong commitment to our veterans as they pursue their educational dreams. We value their contribution to the nation and to the academic community that is The Catholic University of America," says Provost James F. Brennan."While, like all our students, veterans and military personnel have much to gain from education at CUA," adds Schaefer, "our University is enriched by their presence on campus and in the classrooms."
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.