G.I. Jobs has named Harford Community College (HCC) on its list of 2010 "Military Friendly Schools". The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools doing the most to embrace American veterans as students.
"This list is especially important now because the recently enacted Post-9/11 G.I. Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school," says Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. "Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they're academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friends list is that trusted friend."
The list was compiled through research begun last May including a G.I. Jobs poll of more than 7,000 schools nationwide. Criteria for making the grade included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students. In addition, schools on the Military Friendly Schools list offer additional benefits to student veterans.
HCC recently gathered a campus-wide task force in order to identify ways in which services can be improved to assist active duty military, members of the Reserve forces, military family members and veterans. Among the recommendations to be implemented is a change in the college application that will enable veterans to self-identify and thus allow communication directed to them to better meet their special needs.
In addition staff members from Financial Aid and the College APG site attended a series of training sessions to learn about provisions of the new Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and coordinated changes in College policy to facilitate use of this and other Veteran and military educational programs.
The 2010 Military-Friendly School list can be found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com/mfspr
Source: Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs
Writer: Walaika Haskins