15 Military Friendly Colleges in Florida

1 Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
1500 NW 49th St., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

Keiser University prioritizes assisting Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families in achieving their educational goals. Renowned for its commitment, Keiser has been recognized on Military Times Best for Vets Colleges and acknowledged by Military Advanced Education Magazine as a Top Military Friendly College or University.

What sets the university apart is its exceptional scheduling flexibility. Keiser provides various class timings, including day, night, weekend, or 24/7 access to online classes. Notably, classes commence every month, eliminating the need to wait for the Fall semester.

The institution employs Veterans and military-affiliated staff, ensuring dedicated support. It offers graduate career assistance, aid in study planning, and guidance on utilizing VA benefits and Tuition Assistance (TA).

Prospective students may find that their military training could translate into college credits at KU. Moreover, the university extends scholarship opportunities to eligible service members, veterans, and military dependents. Keiser University is also a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $15,732
Grad: $12,088

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 2,664
Grad: 152

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 87%
Part Time: 29%

2 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd | Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a top military-friendly school in Florida, extends its reach across various campuses throughout the state and via online classes. Renowned for academic excellence internationally, Embry-Riddle Worldwide boasts a strong connection with the U.S. military, evident in several campuses situated on military bases.

Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the university grants awards to 20 students at each location, amounting to $20,000 per student annually. However, the Daytona Beach campus differs, offering 850 students awards of up to $19,783 per student each year. Additionally, the University recognizes and offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,005
Grad: $6,061

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 2,728
Grad: 1,148

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 87%
Part Time: 81%

3Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
1 Aerospace Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114-3900

Embry-Riddle offers diverse programs spanning aviation, aerospace, engineering, and technology. With four start terms yearly, students enjoy flexibility in commencing their studies. The school values military training, assessing your JST to maximize potential transfer credits, aligning with various areas of study.

For veterans, active servicemembers, or military dependents using VA Education Benefits, ERAU simplifies the transition to school. It adopts a test-optional approach, eliminating the necessity to submit SAT or ACT scores during the admission process.

Regarding services, both on-campus and off-campus resources are available. Career counseling, mental health support, disability services, and tutoring are among the offerings. Faculty 4 Veterans collaborates with Veteran Student Services to assist enrolled students in acclimating to college culture.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $29,451
Grad: $19,363

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 579
Grad: 40

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 79%

4 University of South Florida-Main Campus
4202 East Fowler Ave | Tampa, FL 33620

This school ranks among the top veteran-friendly campuses nationwide, extending an out-of-state tuition waiver to eligible veterans, dependents, or active-duty personnel residing in Florida while enrolled. Their Office of Veteran Success, run by veterans and dependents, has devised a Pathways Program. This initiative aids military students and veterans by outlining clear steps to navigate the admissions process and more.

As part of the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school provides these benefits: up to $6,000 per year for 24 undergraduate students, up to $6,500 per year for 10 graduate students in Master’s programs, and up to $2,100 per year for 4 doctoral students in the School of Medicine. The University also grants credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,937
Grad: $9,493

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 801
Grad: 234

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 50%

5University of Miami
Coral Gables | FL 33146

The school’s Veteran Student Services provides support to veteran students for their successful transition from military service to campus life and beyond. 

The school is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program and offers an unlimited number of undergrad and grad students per year an unlimited maximum contribution each year, per student, for almost all divisions/schools. The Law School offers a maximum of 15 grants up to $3,000 and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. The Miller School of Medicine offers a maximum of 5 grants up to $5,000 and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis.  The University of Miami offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $31,749
Grad: $23,754

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 131
Grad: 156

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

6 Jacksonville University
2899 University Blvd N | Jacksonville, FL 32211

Jacksonville University’s Veterans and Military Resource Center has implemented multiple initiatives to enhance their support for military students with their comprehensive approach to assimilating military students and veterans into the University community.

The school is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program. An unlimited number of students are awarded various amounts by Division/School. Jacksonville University offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $26,434
Grad: $13,962

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 244
Grad: 97

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 97%
Part Time: 60%

7 The University of Tampa
401 W Kennedy Blvd | Tampa, FL 33606

The University of Tampa has military students in all four UT colleges and nearly all degree programs. U.S. News and World Report ranked The University of Tampa #14 in Best Colleges for Veterans of Regional Universities South. 

The school offers an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon scholarships to both undergrad and grad students, with awards varying by division/school. UT offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $18,013
Grad: $14,973

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 245
Grad: 49

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 100%

8 Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Ave | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

Nova Southeastern University’s Veterans Resource Center is the operational heart of all military and veteran related information, resources, opportunities, and events. NSU provides veterans, dependents of veterans, and military affiliated students a deliberate space to connect with others, relax between classes, and academic amenities such as computers, printers, whiteboards, TV’s, and space for meetings and projects.

As a part of the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school offers the these benefits: an unlimited number of undergrad and grad students are offered up to $8,500 per year, per student; 35 doctoral students in the Health Professional Division are offered up to $2,000 per year, per student; 5 doctoral students in the Law Center are offered up to $2,000 per year, per student; and 55 doctoral students from all other divisions/schools are offered up to $2,000 per year, per student. NSU offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $18,658
Grad: $13,265

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 106
Grad: 199

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 87%
Part Time: 67%

9 University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Blvd | Orlando, FL 32816

The school’s Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC) recognizes and supports student veterans as they transition from military to student life. The VARC, a unit of the Registrar’s Office, is a collaboration between the offices of Career Services, the Counseling Center, Student Academic Resource Center, Student Disabilities Services, and Transfer and Transition Services, and provides the home for Veteran Services.

The school offers these benefits as a participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program: 30 undergrad students are offered an award of up to $12,000 per student, per year; 10 grad students are offered an award of up to $12,000 per student, per year; and, the College of Medicine offers a maximum of 10 grants to Medical Doctors per year, per student. UCF offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,461
Grad: $6,574

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 967
Grad: 147

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 97%
Part Time: 50%

10 University of Florida
Tigert Hall | Gainesville, FL 32611

The school is committed to providing meaningful, accurate, and timely information to military servicemembers regarding the costs associated with attending the University of Florida. The Office of Student Veteran Services serves as the liaison between the University of Florida, its students, and the various federal, state, and local agencies concerned with veterans’ benefits.

The Collegiate Veterans Success Center serves student veterans at UF by providing a designated location on campus for student veterans to study, meet with on and off campus resources, and to spend time with and support each other in a fun and relaxing space. SFA offers service members credit for military experience.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,573
Grad: $13,972

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 282
Grad: 382

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 100%

13Florida International University
11200 S. W. 8 Street | Miami, FL 33199

Florida International University has more than 1,400 veteran students. FIU’s Veterans and Military Affairs (VMA) has partnered with the Veterans Education Project to help provide veteran students and veteran dependents additional support as well as develop models on how to address obstacles they may face as they progress toward graduation.

FIU was the first in the state to offer in-state tuition to veterans regardless of their state of origin. The University offers credit for military training and experience.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,108
Grad: $13,247

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 399
Grad: 142

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 73%

14Florida State University
222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-1037

Florida State University has a Student Veterans Center and the information features prominently on their website. If you’re new to FSU, there is also an Orientation specifically for veteran, military and dependent students. Especially if you plan to use VA or military educational benefits.

Any military training you received that may qualify for college credit is evaluated by the FSU Student Veterans Center. Also, federal and state laws extend the in-state tuition rate to honorably discharged veterans, veteran dependents, and members of the National Guard and Reserve. That’s regardless of your state of residency, as long as you are living in Florida while attending FSU.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,056
Grad: $8,340

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 470
Grad: 270

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 62%
Part Time: 75%

15Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Rd, Administration Bldg., Room 339, Boca Raton, Florida 33431-0991

Florida Atlantic University is designated in the Top Ten Military Friendly® School ranking #3 for the 2021-2022 cycle as a Tier 2 research institution.

One of the features FAU offers is their Military and Veterans Student Success Center. It promotes activities and programs intended to boost military and veteran student success while creating a platform for veterans to engage the community.

 There is one application process for all prospective FAU students. But, the FAU Military and Veterans Office or the FAU Admissions office is a resource for all your questions about your application. When applying, you could also submit your transcripts as the school evaluates military training for college credits.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,579
Grad: $10,381

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 296
Grad: 66

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 93%
Part Time: 78%