Finlandia named 2013 Military Friendly School

HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia University has for the second year been awarded designation as a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs, a magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life published by Victory Media.

The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list, released September 18, 2012, includes the top 15% of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

The 1,739 colleges, universities, and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. According to Victory Media, the list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. The 2013 survey results were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools shows Finlandia University’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs and vice president at Victory Media.

At Finlandia University this fall, there are more than 20 full- and part-time active duty military personnel and veterans enrolled.

“Finlandia University’s campus-wide mission is to make sure all students have opportunities for one-on-one, individualized attention and the personal and academic support they need,” said Craig Kangas, Finlandia assistant director of admissions.

“This is often of particular importance to veterans,” Kangas added. “We work hard to ensure that each of our students is aware of and takes advantage of the many resources we provide to nurture academic success and personal growth.”

Finlandia University is approved by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the university participates in the GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provide educational benefit programs which may include assistance with tuition costs and general financial support for veterans while they are attending college.

The university participates in a long-standing Army ROTC collaboration with Michigan Technological University, Houghton, to give Finlandia students the opportunity to participate in Army ROTC programs.

Finlandia is also a member of the Service Members Opportunity Colleges Consortium, a group of approximately 1,900 accredited military-friendly colleges and universities that are committed to various practices that ease the process for service members to earn academic degrees.

Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University also made the list.  The full 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools can be viewed at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com. The site also includes tools to assist military veterans and their dependents with higher education selection decisions.