15 Military Friendly Colleges in Florida

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $43.96M

Keiser University is committed to helping Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families obtain their college degree. In the past, they’ve ranked on Military Times Best for Vets Colleges and named by Military Advanced Education Magazine as a Top Military Friendly College or University.

One of the things that makes the school stand out is its flexibility of scheduling. Keiser offers day, night, weekend or 24/7 access to online classes. Classes also start every month, so you don’t have to wait until Fall semester.

The school also has Veterans and military affiliated employees on staff. Other features are graduate career assistance, help with planning your studies ad with VA benefits and Tuition Assistance (TA).

As a potential student, your military training may count for college credits. KU also offers scholarship opportunities for qualified service members, veterans and military dependents. And, is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $14,854
Grad: $11,424

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 2,858
Grad: 132

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 68%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $31.05M

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is one of the top military friendly schools in Florida, with several campuses throughout the state, as well as online classes. Backed by an international reputation for academic excellence, Embry-Riddle Worldwide takes pride in its longstanding relationship with the U.S. military. Several campuses are located on military bases.

The school participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering 20 students at each location up to $20,000 in awards per student, per year. The exception is the Daytona Beach campus which offers 850 students up to $19,783 in awards per student, per year. The University offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,370
Grad: $4,526

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 5,191
Grad: 702

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 52%
Part Time: 36%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $13.87M

Embry-Riddle offers programs in aviation, aerospace, engineering and technology. Four start terms each year may provide flexibility in choosing when to begin your studies. Areas of study often compliment skills gained with military training, so the school assesses your JST to maximize potential transfer credits.

Whether you are a veteran, active servicemember, or military dependent interested in using VA Education Benefits, ERAU tries to make the transition to school simple. They do this by being test optional, so there’s no need to submit SAT or ACT scores with your application for admission.

As for services, there are on campus and off campus resources. Career counseling, mental health counseling, disability support and tutoring are a few. Faculty 4 Veterans also helps enrolled students get used to college culture by working with Veteran Student Services.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $26,160
Grad: $19,761

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 528
Grad: 3

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 78%
Part Time: 78%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $7.18M

The school is one of the top veteran-friendly campuses in the country and offers an out-of-state tuition waiver for any qualified veteran, dependent, or active duty personnel who lives in the state of Florida while enrolled in the university. Their Office of Veteran Success is staffed by veterans and dependents and they have created a Pathways Program to help military students and veterans by creating clear steps on how to navigate the admissions program and more.

As a part of the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school offers the these benefits: 24 undergrads students are offered up to $6,000 per year, per student; 10 grads students (Master’s program) are offered up to $6,500 per year, per student; and 4 doctoral students (School of Medicine) are offered up to $2,100 per year, per student. The University offers credit for military training.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,952
Grad: $8,518

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 944
Grad: 295

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 91%
Part Time: 75%

5University of Miami
Coral Gables | FL 33146

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $7.08M

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: $29,389
Grad: $21,174

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 128
Grad: 157

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 93%
Part Time: 88%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $6.94M

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: $20,740
Grad: $14,518

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 286
Grad: 70

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 100%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $6.18M

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: $17,436
Grad: $12,530

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 308
Grad: 65

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 77%
Part Time: 50%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $5.94M

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: $17,360
Grad: $12,100

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 144
Grad: 285

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 71%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $5.91M

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: $4,651
Grad: $6,308

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 1,060
Grad: 156

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 91%
Part Time: 84%

10 University of Florida
Tigert Hall | Gainesville, FL 32611

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $5.58M

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: $4,912
Grad: $14,947

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 373
Grad: 251

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 97%
Part Time: 82%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.75M

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: $3,956
Grad: $8,789

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 545
Grad: 182

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 79%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.66M

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: $4,979
Grad: $7,575

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 509
Grad: 149

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 93%
Part Time: 83%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $2.58M

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: $4,456
Grad: $9,300

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 373
Grad: 99

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 60%