Indiana State University Newsroom

Designation places ISU in top 15 percent of U.S. colleges and universities

Indiana State University has been recognized as a "military friendly" school by a national publication aimed at helping transitioning military personnel and veterans find civilian jobs.

The designation by GI Jobs magazine places Indiana State in the top 15 percent of more than 7,000 colleges, universities and trade schools surveyed by the magazine about issues related to veterans who wish to start or continue their higher education. Recognition of military friendly schools will be featured in both GI Jobs and its sister publication, Military Families.

"This list is especially important now because the recently enacted Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school," said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. "Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they're academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend."

Institutions on the Military Friendly Schools list offer additional benefits and services to student veterans such as on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and more.

"Indiana State University has a long tradition of going the extra mile to serve our veterans," said John Beacon, vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications. "Recognition as a military friendly school is a strong testament to the work of many people at Indiana State to improve access to veterans seeking a four-year degree and making them feel welcome on our campus."

Those steps have included the hiring of a 38-year Indiana Air National Guard veteran as a full-time veterans services coordinator, a one-semester tuition waiver for eligible returning Guard and Reserve members and participation in the Veterans Administration's Yellow Ribbon program which provides additional financial aid for returning veterans, Beacon noted.

In addition, a recently announced Operation Diploma grant from the Military Family Research Institute, funded by Lilly Endowment, will allow Indiana State to take still more steps to benefit returning service personnel. These include establishing a Veterans Resource Center, developing a comprehensive guide to campus and community services for veterans and their families, partnering with other local institutions that do not have a full-time veteran's officer, and creating baseline data and tracking student veterans to support their retention and graduation.

Other ISU resources available to veterans include the Student Veterans Organization, which coordinates activities for veterans and their families; Vet to Vet, which connects area veterans needing assistance with agencies that can best meet their needs; transfer credit for the Associate in Applied Science Degree from the Community College of the Air Force; and a Student Support Services/Disability Services Office to assist veterans with disabilities.

Approximately 200 veterans were enrolled at Indiana State University during the 2008-09 academic year.

Photos:

http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/622330330_yJeCP-D.jpg This plaque proclaiming Indiana State University as a military friendly school hangs on the office wall of Michael Caress, the university's veterans services coordinator.

http://isuphoto.smugmug.com/photos/622332186_8SGf6-S.jpgMichael Caress, veterans services coordinator at Indiana State University, poses with a plaque from GI Jobs magazine designating ISU as a military friendly school.

Contact: John Beacon, vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications, 812-237-3560 or john.beacon@indstate.edu or Mike Caress, veterans services coordinator, Office of Admissions, Indiana State University, 812-237-2540 or mcaress@indstate.edu

Writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu