15 Military Friendly Colleges in Arizona

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Military Friendly Colleges in Arizona

Funding for Military Friendly Colleges in Arizona

There are many military friendly colleges in Arizona. According to the VA, in 2017, 208 AZ schools received Post 9/11 GI bill funds for over 43,170 students totaling nearly $297 million dollars.

There are six active programs offering benefits for veterans’ education. If eligible, all of these may be used to help fund a college education.

  • Post 9 / 11 GI Bill
  • All Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (MGIB-AD)
  • Educational Assistance for Members of the Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
  • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
  • Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
  • Post Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

 

The most used benefit program is the Post 9 / 11 GI Bill. At Arizona colleges, 59% of the beneficiaries used the Post 9 / 11 GI Bill to help fund their education.

Military Program# of 2022 veterans eaRNING aid at Arizona colleges
Post 9 / 1131,825
MGIB – AD1,168
MIGB – SR635
REAP0
DEA6,684
VEAP0
TOTAL40,312

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration

 

15 Military Friendly Colleges in Arizona in 2024

These 15 military friendly colleges in Arizona are listed based on the total amount of Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits awarded in the 2022 / 2023 school year. All of the data cited from the National Center for Education Statistics. Many of these schools take part in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a part of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, the colleges and the VA pay the tuition and mandatory fees not paid for by the GI Bill.

1 Grand Canyon University
3300 W Camelback Rd | Phoenix, AZ 85017

GCU Veterans Center provides personalized assistance tailored to veterans.  The center is staffed with a veterans’ resource coordinator who can assist with questions or concerns about military education benefits. There is also access to WiFi and a textbook exchange.

At GCU, military training can be used for credit. Eligible members may also request a LOPES credit evaluation to see what can be transferred—up to 30 military credits plus another 30 alternative credits. 

The school offers an unlimited number of students each year a maximum annual school contribution of $1,000 for undergrad and $1,000 for grads through the Yellow Ribbon Program

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,489
Grad: $5,151

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 3,247
Grad: 1,419

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 77%
Part Time: 79%

2 Arizona State University-Skysong
1475 North Scottsdale Road, Suite 200 Scottsdale, AZ 85257-3538

SkySong is the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. It is where technology, research, education and entrepreneurship come together.

Central to the school as a whole is the military community. In 2019 ASU was a Best for Vets College (Military Times) and offers well ranked online programs including Emergency Management, Homeland Security and IT Management. ASU also offers a Chinese Flagship-ROTC program. It aims to prepare ROTC students with strong proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. And, then ready them to become commissioned officers and effective cross cultural communicators.

Apart from military friendly programs, ASU offers support and services. The Pat Tillman Veterans Center, for e.g., provides a central hub for ASU’s commitment to student veteran success. You could also expect on Veterans Day the school hosts Salute to Service which honors student, alumni, faculty and staff veterans with an annual series of events on all ASU campuses.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,204
Grad: $10,137

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 2,038
Grad: 574

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 45%

3 University of Arizona
1401 E University | Tucson, AZ 85721

The schools Veterans Education & Transition Services provides many resources to assist veteran students. It also lists available resources for student veterans at UA. Priority registration is given to veteran students using the GI Bill, the semester after they begin using their benefits.

The school’s Yellow Ribbon participation offers up to $13,000 per year for 600 undergrad students, 200 grad students, and 200 doctoral students per year.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,277
Grad: $13,536

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 1,240
Grad: 300

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 77%
Part Time: 79%

4 Arizona State University-Tempe
University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287

ASU is a military friendly university that takes part in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Military students could be able to get credit for their training and may enjoy online courses and programs. For e.g., they have a Chinese Flagship ROTC Program which may help you prepare to become a commissioned officer with proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

The school also offers a range of services and support. And has a recognized student veteran’s organization. The dedicated point of contact for these support services in place for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families is the Pat Tillman Veterans Center,. It is ASU’s central hub.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,264
Grad: $15,509

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 1,923
Grad: 169

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 83%
Part Time: 78%

5 American InterContinental University
1900 S Knoles Dr | Flagstaff, AZ 86011

AIU welcomes military students with a team of admissions and financial aid advisors who could explain VA educational benefits and walk you through options for transferring in credits towards a degree. Benefits include the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® and Montgomery GI Bill ®.

For those who qualify, AIU offers a MOS Pledge program to maximize the amount of credit you could receive for past military service and experience. The school also enable eligible students to transfer in up to 75%of your qualifying college credits, which may help you save on tuition and allow you to graduate from a Bachelor’s program in as little as 9 months.

Another military friendly feature is the AIU Veterans Grant. It is open to eligible honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S. military. The school also takes part in the Yellow Ribbon Program and set up a Yellow Ribbon Grant.

To help military students who are on the move, there are a wide range of online programs to choose from. AIU also has a Career Services team which may be useful if transitioning to the civilian workplace.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,576
Grad: $8,322

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 832
Grad: 410

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 40%
Part Time: 75%

6 Sonoran Desert Institute
1555 W University Dr, Tempe, Arizona 85281

Sonoran Desert Institute takes part in the Yellow Ribbon Program and has a dedicated point of contact for support and services. The SDI Military & Veteran Services department aims to help students achieve academic, personal, and professional success.The department provides advocacy, outreach, networking and one to one assistance.

All programs at Sonoran Desert Institute are online which may prove accessible to on the move military members as well. The Institute is a DEAC-Accredited school that offers online firearms technology programs.

SDI also strives to make education affordable for active duty military personnel. The school accepts DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) that is available to eligible members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard, and Reserves. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,372
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 2,314
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: N/A

7 Arizona State University-Downtown Phoenix
411 N Central Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

ASU is a 2019 Best for Vets College (Military Times). They typically have a large number of enrolled active duty military, veterans and their dependents and support to serve them. One way is through their programs. For e.g., the Thunderbird Global Management Degree, Emergency Management and Homeland Security programs and IT Management. We are also home to some of the nation’s top online programs.

Also, ASU tends to rank well for its online programs. They have been rated No. 2 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans and No. 3 for Best Online Graduate Education programs, Best Online MBA programs and Graduate Business Programs for Veterans and more (USNews & World Report, 2019). For those who seek cross cultural skills and proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, they also offer a Chinese Flagship ROTC program.

Another way ASU caters to the military is through its dedicated Pat Tillman Veterans Center. It is the school’s central hub and it works together with the Career Services Center.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,998
Grad: $18,163

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 449
Grad: 127

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 85%
Part Time: 23%

8 Northern Arizona University
1900 S Knoles Dr | Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Northern Arizona University is ranked as the top school in the state and one of the top 1/3 schools in the country for military veterans. NAU’s Veteran Student Mentoring Program is for students who have served or are currently serving, transitioning from military life or from another school to NAU. The VSC Mentoring Program builds a sense of community at the school for those who have served.

Credit may be granted for military experience based on MOS (Army), AFSC (Air Force), or equivalent ratings by Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

As a part of the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school offers unlimited students each year with an unlimited school contribution per year for both grads and undergrads.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,769
Grad: $10,486

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 536
Grad: 92

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 67%

9 Arizona State University-Polytechnic

7001 E Williams Field Road, Mesa, Arizona 85212

ASU has a number of campuses all served by the Pat Tillman Veterans Center. It operates under the motto “Inspiring Service”. The center supports student veterans and active military, reserve and guard members. In part by helping with the transition to ASU as well as to understand VA education benefits.

One of the other ways ASU serves its students is by offering programs for Vets. Guitars for Vets, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with more than 100 chapters around the nation. The org. aims to enhance the lives of ailing and injured military veterans by providing them with guitars and 10 weeks of music instruction.

If seeking an ROTC program, ASU hosts Air Force, Army and Navy. They also offer a Flagship Chinese ROTC program which builds skills in Mandarin Chinese and could help you move into a commissioned officer role.

In addition to a host of other educational benefits, Arizona State University offers in-state residency and tuition for active-duty military members and veterans.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,830
Grad: $6,371

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 361
Grad: 9

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 87%
Part Time: 75%

10 Arizona State University-West
4701 W Thunderbird Road, Glendale, Arizona 85306

G.I. Jobs has listed ASU as a “Military Friendly School” for seven straight years. The school has dedicated support and services. For e.g., the Pat Tillman Veterans Center staff is available to provide assistance, advice or information.

Arizona State University also offers in-state residency and tuition for active-duty military members and veterans. Several other financial support programs are in place as well. ASU Veterans Education Fund is one. It provides $1K need based scholarships to eligible students.

Tillman Scholarships are another. These awards support higher education for service members and military families by bridging the financial gaps left by the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Tillman Scholars receive financial support for tuition and books, housing, transportation and childcare. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,107
Grad: $11,094

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 238
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 86%
Part Time: 40%

11 Yavapai College
1100 E Sheldon St, Prescott, Arizona 86301

Yavapai College has a V.E.T. Services portal which includes benefits checklist, YC Veterans Club, and payment information. They also take part in the Veterans Crisis Line and Be Connected.

YC takes part in the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program and AZ Tuition Waiver. The College also has academic and career advising for those who have questions about what to do next.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,720
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 130
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 84%
Part Time: 79%

12Chandler-Gilbert Community College
2626 E Pecos Rd, Chandler, Arizona 85225-2499

Chandler-Gilbert’s Veterans Services office is an arm of CGCC Enrollment Services. This is your liaison between CGCC and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Their mission is to coordinate your GI Bill® educational benefits and connect you with the resources and services you need to reach your personal and academic goals.

In addition, the College features a wide selection of courses, student services, and tuition assistance for veterans and active duty students. One of these programs is for flight students who have private pilot’s license and valid medical certification. The Veterans Administration offers flight training benefits to flight students who want to advance their pilot qualifications, and those benefits can be administered through CGCC.

The Student Veterans Organization (SVO) at Chandler-Gilbert Community College is also there for you. It may schedule meetings and exists to create a dialogue between the College/faculty, students and the active service members, veterans, and their families it serves.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,138
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 196
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 66%
Part Time: 62%

13Pima Community College

4905C East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85709-1275

Whether you’re active duty or a veteran, Pima Community College offers a military friendly setting.

The PCC Military & Veterans Services Office provides dedicated advisors to help military or veteran students in applying, transferring or getting started with Veterans Education Benefits.

Apart from using benefits, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (DMAFB) Education Center is is accessible to to DM personnel and supports all branches of the military. The PCC education office at DMAFB offers classes designed to fit your schedule that are taught by military friendly instructors.

PCC’s General Education Mobile assists Air Force personnel to complete their 15-hour Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) General Education Course requirements online as well. These are a few of the specialized services in place.

To connect, there is a Veterans Center which is on the downtown campus. If online, you could find Pima’s social media accounts or join the Pima Community College Chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA). This national organization supports veterans going to college and after graduation.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $1,529
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 417
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 58%
Part Time: 49%

14Mesa Community College
1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, Arizona 85202

MCC Veteran Services Office is in place to help you navigate enrollment and benefits. There are six available programs. Chapter 1606, REAP, Montgomery GI Bill ®, Voc. Rehab, Post 9/11 GI Bill ®, Dependent Benefits.

The Supportive Services department of the Veteran Services Office was created by military students for military students to address those challenges. you could contact them about academics, finance, career, health and wellness, family and housing and for social engagement.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $1,327
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 337
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 54%

How can one access free college in the military?

Utilize the GI Bill. This invaluable resource supports current and former soldiers in financing college, trade school, technical school, licensing, certification programs, on-the-job training, online schooling, and more. Many soldiers leveraging the GI Bill receive full tuition coverage for their service.

What GPA is necessary for admission to a military college?

For optimal admission prospects, target the 75th percentile with a 1430 SAT or a 33 ACT. It’s also advisable to maintain a GPA of 4 or higher. If your GPA falls below this threshold, consider compensating with a higher SAT/ACT score.

Does the military cover all college expenses?

Certainly. The program is open to active duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component service members, providing coverage for up to 100% of college tuition. This encompasses undergraduate and graduate degrees, vocational and technical programs, as well as distance learning classes.

This is a private website that is not affiliated with the U.S. government, U.S. Armed Forces or Department of Veteran Affairs. U.S. government agencies have not reviewed this information. This site is not connected with any government agency. If you would like to find more information about benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, please visit the official U.S. government web site for veterans’ benefits at http://www.va.gov.

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*https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_311.15.asp

Sources for school statistics is the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

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