Application cycle open to become part of Michigan Veteran-Friendly Schools Program

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is now accepting applications for its veteran-friendly schools initiative for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The Michigan Veteran-Friendly Schools Program recognizes academic institutions committed to supporting the needs of veterans and military-connected students. These institutions are awarded Gold-, Silver-, and Bronze-level status based on their veteran-centric services and programs.

Any academic institution or training facility in Michigan eligible to receive veteran education benefits can apply for the program.

“With many service men and woman pursuing a higher education after their military service is complete, it is critical they enter an environment that understands their skills, experiences and most importantly their struggles,” said Brian L. Love, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. “The State of Michigan is unique in its efforts to ensure our higher education programs are prepared to address the needs of their veteran students while they learn.”

Universities, colleges or trade schools interested in becoming a veteran-friendly school must meet a certain number of the criteria below depending on what level it wants to become.

Gold level: Complete six or more of the items below
Silver level: Complete four of the items below
Bronze Level: Complete three of the items below

1. Established process for identification of current student veterans
2. Veteran-specific website
3. Active student veteran organization or club
4. Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising, and/or outcome monitoring
5. On-campus veterans’ coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact
6. System to evaluate and award academic credit based on prior military training and experience
7. Monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, progress, and graduation rates

The application cycle will remain open until Aug.28.

Any academic institution or training facility in Michigan eligible to receive veteran education benefits can apply for the program. Any academic institution interested in becoming certified as a one of Michigan's Veteran-Friendly School should contact Joseph Saur at Saurj@michigan.gov . Learn more about the program on the MVAA’s VFS dashboard .