Press Release for Monday, January 28, 2019
UNF Named Military Friendly School for Tenth Consecutive Year
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Contact: Amanda Dawson, PR Specialist
Department
of Public Relations
(904)
620-2192
For the tenth consecutive year, the University
of North Florida has been designated as one of the most military friendly
schools in the country by Victory Media, the leader in connecting the military
and civilian worlds.
The 2019-20 Military Friendly Schools list
honors the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools
nationwide that are doing the most to embrace America’s military students and
to dedicate resources to ensure success both in the classroom and after
graduation. This list sets the standard for higher education institutions to
provide the best opportunities for veterans, their spouses and families.
“For a decade now, UNF has been a special place
for veterans and military-affiliated students, and each year we work to expand
our services,” said Bob Buehn, director of the Military and Veterans Resource
Center (MVRC). “During each step of the college experience, from admissions to
alumni, our staff is ready to help, support and encourage those who have served
our country.”
The Military Friendly Schools list is created
each year based on extensive research using public data sources, data from
federal agencies, input from student veterans and responses to the survey from
participating institutions.
The annual, data-driven Military Friendly
Schools survey assessment is offered at no cost to more than 8,800 institutions
nationwide. Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard
than in previous years via improved methodology, criteria and weightings
developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and Victory
Media’s Advisory Council. Of the thousands of participating institutions, only
766 schools made the prestigious 2019-20 list, compared with 849 earning the
designation in 2018-19.
Final survey results and ratings are determined
by combining an institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the
institution’s ability to meet minimum thresholds for student retention,
graduation, job placement, loan repayment and loan default rates for all
students and, specifically, for student veterans. The benchmark is set by the
score of the leading institution.
UNF’s veteran population using the Post-9/11 GI
Bill has grown at an average of six percent per year for the last five years
and now numbers more than 1,350 veterans or military-affiliated students, representing
eight percent of the University’s student body. UNF currently has 97 active-duty
students, 545 veteran students and 730 military dependents.
In 2009, UNF established a Task Force and
received a grant for more than $200,000 from the Florida BrAIve Fund at The
Community Foundation in Jacksonville, which allowed the University to establish
the MVRC on campus in 2010. Recently, the MVRC increased the amount of
scholarships available for veterans and added a scholarship that includes
dependents. They also made extensive facility renovations including upgrades to
all technology/computers and new furniture.
As an extension of the MVRC, UNF began offering
the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corp, an educational program of leadership
and military skills training, on campus in 2009. This program gives students a
chance to get Army training while in college.
The MVRC’s mission is to provide a broad range
of student services and resources focused on the unique needs of today’s
military veterans, service members and their families to enhance their smooth
transition from the military environment to campus life, leading to academic
success and post-graduation employment opportunities.
The Military Friendly Schools website
features the entire list, interactive tools and search functionality to help
military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and
preferences.
UNF, a nationally ranked
university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who
are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their
own futures through a well-rounded education.
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