Veterans & Military Members

Commonwealth University offers a robust package of services and benefits for military-connected students at each of its three campuses. Military and military-affiliated students are encouraged to connect with the Office of Military and Veterans Resources, which serves as the gateway to the campus community and connections to the array of benefits and assistance services. Designed to be a military-affiliated students’ coordinating effort, the office provides personal attention and navigation across all University offices and programs. It also serves as the conduit to federal and state benefits and programs offered to present and former servicemembers pursuing a Commonwealth University education. Commonwealth University celebrates and proactively appreciates its student servicemembers through year-round programs and informational outreach campaigns, including social and honorary events and active Student Veterans Organizations on each campus. Military students are provided priority scheduling, withdraw without financial penalty when called to active duty, and receive in-state tuition benefits regardless of state residency. Commonwealth University has also initiated a unique agreement with the Pennsylvania National Guard that combines and enhances benefits and services to students who concurrently serve in the PA National Guard, has ROTC programs on each campus, and established the Military Academic Credit Review Board (MAC-RB), an innovative program designed to translate military training and experience into experiential college-level credit on an individual basis.

PennWest California Office of Military & Veterans Success provides resources for veterans, assists with benefits, provides support for current and former service members, reservists, and their eligible family members and also offers several VA work-study positions within the department. In addition, service members around the world are enrolled in 100 percent online degree programs through Cal U Global Online, which offers a discounted tuition rate for active-duty military, veterans, and their eligible dependents. Cal U is recognized as a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner. Cal U is active in the National Association of Veterans’ Program Administrators, Council of College and Military Educators, and the Western Pennsylvania Veterans Academic Alliance, and it recognized student veterans for their academic and service achievements through the 118 SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society. California University of Pennsylvania also partners with the California J.F.K. American Legion Post 377. Dating back to the early 1970s, Cal U’ s Veterans Club and Student Veterans chapter is one of the most active clubs on campus. The Cal U Veteran’ s Club has hosted an annual Veterans dinner dating back to 1973. Since 2013, Cal U honors alumni, faculty, staff, and family members of university employees by displaying military and veteran banners throughout campus during November. Cal U is part of the Three Rivers Battalion Army R.O.T.C. program. Additionally, Cal U offers students the opportunity to participate in the Air Force R.O.T.C. program through a cross-town agreement with the University of Pittsburgh. The Office of Military & Veterans Success provides scholarships to eligible students.

Cheyney University welcomes all veterans, eligible dependents, members of the National Guard and Reserves, and active-duty personnel. Cheyney is committed to meeting their educational and campus community goals. The Office of Student Financial Services provides information about GI Bill and other available educational benefits and is the office where veterans, eligible dependents, members of the National Guard, and selected reserves may apply for their benefits. The university’s Academic Advising Center and faculty provide registration and advising support for military members and veterans. Practices are policy-driven and research-informed.

PennWest Clarion strives to support the transition of students from their military experience to higher education. The university has a director of veteran services and a Veterans Service Office staffed by student veteran workers, along with an adjacent veterans’ lounge. The VSO is the advocate for student veterans on campus, assisting in coordination of registration, financial services, GI Bill, disability services, admissions, and tutoring services. The VSO performs GI Bill certifications and advocates for service members to receive the maximum acceptance of transfer credits based on military experience and training. It is also involved in new student and faculty orientation, ensuring the awareness of veteran programs and sensitivity to veteran issues. Clarion has been awarded the Military Friendly Gold Designation by Military Times. Also, the Pennsylvania National Guard Association has designated Clarion a PNGAS Guard-Friendly School. The Presidential Commission on Veteran and Military Affairs includes representatives from all administrative offices across campus. The university maintains a Veterans Club on its Venango campus. The university has teamed with Butler V.A. to provide mental health care for student veterans via a telehealth program. Clarion’ s Department of Library Science is collaborating with the Library of Congress to conduct interviews for the Veterans History Project.

East Stroudsburg University’s Student Veterans Center is a one-stop-shop that assists students with everything from applying for financial aid and veterans’ benefits to registering for classes and helping to ensure they are prepared for graduation. It processes all veteran education benefits, including Federal Tuition Assistance, the Educational Assistance Program, GI Bill, and ROTC scholarships for Army and Air Force. The center, which is a designated Green Zone, also hosts a series of weekly meetings for veterans on a variety of topics ranging from employment opportunities to healthcare. The Veterans Task Force meets regularly to identify issues that student veterans are experiencing and implements strategies to help alleviate some of these issues and concerns. ESU extends credit for military training and service, DANTES, and CLEP tests. The university holds a veteran meet-and-greet every academic semester, a 9/11 moving flag tribute and a Veterans Day celebration. The office assists with the organization, set-up, and commencing of the Monroe County Veterans Day Parade. The Veterans of ESU Club is part of 119 the Student Veterans of America. ESU is part of the National Association for Veterans and Program Administrators, Monroe County Veterans Association, and the Association of Veteran Education Certifying Officials.

PennWest Edinboro has been recognized among the top 15 percent of higher education institutions nationwide in service to veterans, earning G.I. Jobs’ Military Friendly ® designation in each of the last 10 years, earning Gold Status for 2020-21. At the center of the university’ s support for veterans and military families is the EU Veterans Success Center, which was founded on campus in 2012. The center serves as a one-stop shop for assistance to veterans, active military, and military dependents, providing expert guidance for all GI Bill programs and other services. Also, Edinboro University and the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center have partners to make VA Telehealth Services available to veterans through the university’ s Ghering Health Center and through the organization’ s mobile applications.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s (IUP) Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) serves as a one-stop-shop, providing a wide range of services for military, veteran, and military-affiliated students and family members. Student workers who are veterans or military-affiliated staff the center along with a full-time professional director. Staff members help more than 800 IUP students annually to use their GI Bill benefits, access other benefits, and navigate the campus environment. The center also coordinates special Veterans Day events and campus-wide programming. IUP has an active Student Veterans Organization. The MVRC Director works with several advisory boards of organizations that provide assistance to veterans and their families. Through two different endowments, IUP has funds to provide veterans and their family members with funding during a financial emergency. IUP students have used these funds to help pay for day care, utilities, rent, books, and other expenses. Founded in 1950, IUP Army ROTC has commissioned over 2,370 Officer into the US Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard with more than 150 currently serving on Active Duty. IUP Army ROTC consistently ranks in the top 15% of ROTC programs nationwide based on Advanced Camp scores and has produced 13 officers who went on to become generals. The program earned the MacArthur Award, a national recognition given to the top programs in the country and is a three-time recipient of the Governor’s Trophy, presented to the most outstanding military science program at a Pennsylvania college or university. IUP is a Yellow Ribbon university and is recognized routinely by military publications for excellence. IUP was recognized as a Top 10 Large Public Military-Friendly university by Victory Media and a Best for Vets University.

Kutztown University provides a supportive atmosphere in a thriving campus environment. Military-aware, appreciative and knowledgeable faculty and staff are dedicated to meeting the needs of our military-affiliated students (veterans and family members using benefits). A centrally located Veterans Services Center, staffed with a coordinator, provides a place where students can relax or study, obtain military benefits assistance and services that ease the transition from the military to college environment. To make the pursuit of academic goals more manageable, veterans liaisons assist with a variety of services such as priority class registration, military excused absence and deployment options, academic advising, career planning, counseling and disability services. KU participates in the MyCAA spouse program and students receive academic credit for equivalent military training and DANTES (CLEP, DSST). Leadership and learning opportunities exist through military-related programming, the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Student Veteran Organization and SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society. Scholarship opportunities are provided through the local business community and local American Legion chapter. Student120 veterans are recognized for their achievements with patriotic honor cords worn at commencement and challenge coins presented for excellence. Faculty and staff participate in Veterans Green Zone awareness training and an advisory board of administrators, faculty, staff, students and local VA and veteran-related organizations meets regularly to assess university needs. KU is military committed and recognized as a top-ranked university by prominent publications and organizations for its veteran-friendly policies and practices.

Millersville University takes pride in fostering a welcoming and supportive environment tailored for our nation’s heroes and their families. Located just a short drive from Lancaster, with a local VA clinic only 15 minutes away from campus, the campus is dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities and resources for active duty service members, reservists, veterans, and their families. The Veterans Resource Center is more than just a space—it’s a hub for assistance on topics related to military and veterans services and support. Featuring a full kitchen, computers, and a relaxation area, the VRC is a place where a student can connect, recharge, and feel at home. At Millersville, veterans, service members, and their families are encouraged to share their unique experiences, build meaningful relationships, and discover leadership opportunities both on campus and beyond. Millersville University proudly participates in the Concurrent Admissions Program with the Army, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard, streamlining the transition to higher education for military-connected students. The Army ROTC program offers a comprehensive military science curriculum and an academic minor in Military Science, complemented by a residential housing program designed for ROTC students. This program fosters a supportive living-learning community that enhances leadership development and camaraderie. Our dedicated School Certifying Official (SCO) in the Financial Aid Office guides students through the process of accessing their education benefits. Whether a student needs assistance with Department of Defense Tuition Assistance, GI Bill applications, or PA National Guard education benefits, the SCO ensures a student maximizes entitlements. Eligible students also benefit from in-state tuition and priority registration, making it easier to focus on what matters most: their education. Through the university’s collaboration with the VA’s veteran work-study program, GI Bill recipients can gain valuable experience working in the Veterans Resource Center. This program not only supports a student’s educational journey but also fosters a sense of purpose and community among their peers.

Shippensburg University offers a variety of programs and assistance-based services for military service members, veterans and their dependents. These services are centralized through the Veterans Service Office, whose mission is to help simplify the transition to continuing education. The Veterans Resource Center in the student union building is a relaxing place to study, eat and connect with those with a shared experience. Additional learning and outreach opportunities for student veterans include an active Student Veterans of America chapter and the Army ROTC Raider Battalion. The campus is an easy commute from the Letterkenny Army Depot, U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Navy Support Activity in Mechanicsburg, National Guard Training Center at Fort Indiantown Gap, and Army Medical Command installation at Fort Detrick.

Slippery Rock University sponsors a Student Veterans Center, providing veterans, their dependents, active-duty personnel, reserve, and National Guard members, and ROTC cadets a place to gather, share information, and relax. The center’ s location in the Smith Student Center supports synergy and integration among student veterans, the Student Government Association, and other student activities, and is involved in fundraisers to benefit veteran-facing organizations. SRU is utilizing grant money from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for an equine-assisted recreation program, which provides recreational therapy to veterans at the university’ s Storm Harbor Equestrian Center. SRU was the first university in the country to participate in the Veterans Administration Telehealth system. Students are eligible to participate in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps program. The university annually promotes several “Salute to the Military” activities at which former, current, and future military personnel are recognized and receive free admission. 115 SRU’ s chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA) offers opportunities for social and educational activities. In addition to fundraisers that benefit organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Foundation and the American Red Cross, the SVA has partnered with New Hope Assistance Dogs Inc., to raise funds and provide service dogs to student veterans at SRU.

West Chester University offers a culture where student veterans, active military, reservists, and dependents of service members can feel understood and accepted. This culture is achieved by facilitating communication among campus offices to provide a coordinated system of service for a meaningful transition from the military to college. The Veterans Center is centrally located on the main campus and provides a welcoming space for students to network, study, participate in a variety of programming, or just relax. Students can participate in the Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs while attending WCU. WCU also offers scholarships for returning veterans and provides a variety of services through its Greg and Sandra Weisenstein Veterans Center and the Student Veterans Group. WCU’s Veterans Center regularly connects with local area veteran services organizations for support and networking opportunities. In addition, WCU has a licensed counselor, a dedicated resource for student veterans, whose office is in the Veterans Center. West Chester University has received the Military Friendly School distinction since 2014, and the Military Friendly School Gold Status distinction for the last three years.