University recognized with silver designation for supporting military students and their families
Alvernia announces its recognition as a Military Friendly® School for the 2024-2025 academic year. This esteemed silver designation highlights ֱ’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities and support for veterans and their families.
The Military Friendly® Schools list, compiled by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, recognizes colleges, universities, and trade schools that deliver the best opportunities for military service members and their families. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard.
“Receiving the Military Friendly® designation once again is a testament to our unwavering dedication to serving those who have served our country,” said Mary-Alice Ozechoski, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “At ֱ, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where veterans and their families can thrive academically and personally.”
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
Alvernia offers a range of services and resources to support military-affiliated students, including dedicated admissions and financial aid counseling, academic advising, and career services. The university’s Veterans Center provides a welcoming space for military-affiliated students to connect, share experiences, and access additional support services. Furthermore, ֱ’s partnership with local veteran organizations and participation in community service projects exemplifies the university’s Franciscan values of service and community engagement.
In addition to robust support services, ֱ participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, enhancing the educational benefits available through the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. This program helps cover tuition and fees, making higher education more accessible and affordable for veterans and their dependents.
This year, ֱ also earned a national endorsement in military support from (COD) for offering comprehensive educational benefits, a military and veterans’ affairs team, flexible and accessible educational options, faculty training, campus activities specific to veterans, and community support.
