Pitt Again Recognized as “Military Friendly”

The University of Pittsburgh has been named a 2015 Military-Friendly School, a designation given to colleges, universities, and trade schools deemed to be in the top 15 percent of the nation in terms of doing the most to ensure the success of veteran students, both in the classroom and after graduation.

The distinction was given by Victory Media following an evaluation of post-9/11 G.I. Bill-funded American institutions. The evaluation assessed institutions’ academic credibility, financial assistance for veterans, nonfinancial military support, percentage of veteran enrollment, and veteran graduation rates, among other factors.

“Pitt is proud to serve our veteran students and to be named a 2015 Military-Friendly School. The University’s commitment to veterans and their families is seen in the wide variety of programs and services we provide through our Office of Veteran Services,” said Cristina Ruggiero, associate dean of Pitt’s College of General Studies, which houses the Office of Veterans Services. “Veterans Services is dedicated to its mission of helping our students in their transition from military to academic life by supporting their ongoing academic success—and by assisting veterans, guardsmen, reservists, spouses, and dependents in receiving their military education benefits.”

Pitt has received a military-friendly distinction several times in recent years. In 2010, Military Advanced Education’s 3rd Annual Guide to America’s Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities—a magazine produced specifically for service members taking advantage of their education benefits—listed Pitt as one of the country’s top military-friendly universities.

Pitt’s Office of Veterans Services serves more than 500 students across Pitt’s five campuses. Established in 2009, it offers veteran students and their families such services as pre-admission counseling, military benefits and scholarship advising, free tutoring and academic success programs, and career training assistance. The Office of Veterans Services also has been featured in such notable publications as Military Advanced Education, G.I. Jobs, and Military Times.

Victory Media Inc. is a Pittsburgh-based, military-focused services firm and the parent company of the publications G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, and Vetrepreneur.

Visit www.veterans.pitt.edu for more information about Pitt’s Office of Veterans Services.