ANN ARBOR—The national Military Times announced today that the University of Michigan is among the 120 Best for Vets Colleges in 2014.

The distinction recognizes and rewards U-M’s commitment to providing opportunities to America’s veterans, said Military Times EDGE editor Amanda Miller.

Based on assessments of student success and academic quality, retention and graduation rates, as well as student loan track record and student-faculty ratio, the Best for Vets Colleges ranking provides significant information to help service members choose their college or university.

Additional elements considered in the rankings include service member enrollment, percentage of tuition covered by the GI Bill and availability of specific programs to help service members.

“The University of Michigan is proud to receive this high-level recognition from Military Times,” said Lester Monts, U-M senior vice provost for academic affairs. “We have mobilized support services throughout the campus to assist our student veterans, from admission through graduation. With our new policies governing in-state tuition rates, along with a welcoming campus environment, I look forward to an even larger number of veterans enrolling at the University of Michigan.”

U-M provides a comprehensive suite of services to student veterans and active duty military.

Under the new Guidelines for Qualifying for In-State Tuition (effective January 2014), in-state tuition will be available to any active-duty military personnel, reservist or veteran, regardless of the person’s legal state of residence. Dependents of active-duty military and reservists who are stationed in Michigan will also qualify for in-state tuition.

For the fifth consecutive year, the university is fully participating in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2013-14, U-M and the VA are covering all unmet tuition needs for individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33).

Related Links:

• Additional information on services available to U-M student veterans and active-duty military is available from the Student Veterans Assistance Office: http://vets.umich.edu
• U-M’s celebration of Veterans Week 2013 also includes expert panel discussions and events featuring the “End of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the future of LGBTQ individuals in the military, women in the military, the Tuskegee Airmen and more.http://vets.umich.edu/content/vetsweek2013