For the second year in a row, Saint Louis University was honored as a “MilitaryFriendly School” in G.I. Jobs’ list.
G.I. Jobs is a magazine for military members in transition that offers advice on education opportunities, career tips and how to adapt to a “post-military” lifestyle.
This year, SLU was featured among the top 15 percent of colleges as an institution that is giving veterans the best possible educational experience.
Specifically, the magazine listed several criteria for this honor: “efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students, and academic accreditations.”
“We are a University with many opportunities for veterans and the military, but I think we mainly received this honor because of our involvement in the Yellow Ribbon Program,” Veteran Certify Official Jennifer Matteson said.
The Yellow Ribbon Program started in August 2009, when the post-9/11 G.I. Bill was registered.
This bill created caps on the maximum free tuition awarded.
It paid up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees.
To make it more affordable for the military and veterans, SLU made a deal with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to cover 50 percent of the remaining SLU tuition left after the G.I. bill. The V.A. ended up matching what was left, and this encouraged veterans to pursue an education.
“This Yellow Ribbon Program now covers roughly 50 students at SLU and it works on a first come, first served basis. I think the fact that SLU took this opportunity to help out the veterans right away gave us the honor,” Matteson said.
The Office of the Registrar was unable to tally the exact amount of military and veterans at SLU, but Matteson said that she roughly certifies around 160.
“I think it’s great that SLU has the Yellow Ribbon Program,” Air Force veteran Sheena Yates, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said.
Matteson also said that SLU has many other higher education opportunities for veterans and the military.
“SLU allows students to take online classes if they are currently doing military service. The Graduate Business School and Professional Studies School also evaluate military service and transform it into credit through the American Council,” Matteson said.
Clayton Berry, director of Media Relations, said that he feels this award exemplifies the values the University upholds.
“This honor recognizes our commitment to expanding higher education opportunities for veterans and members of the military,” Berry said.
“At SLU, it’s our mission to form students as men and women for others,” Berry said. “The men and women of the Armed Forces have already lived this mission by serving our country.”
