Featured | NewsMarch 07, 2023

UAFS Elevates Military Friendly Ranking

Written By: Ian Silvester

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has once again been awarded designation as a Military Friendly School for the 2023-2024 academic year. The university earned Silver Status designation, moving up in the ranks from last year’s Bronze rating. 

“Receiving the Military Friendly School Silver Status reflects the university’s commitment to providing the best educational experience and service to student veterans and their dependents,” said Heather Chance, UAFS Advisor, and VA Certifying Official. “This annual process provides the perfect opportunity for the university to evaluate programs, services, and processes that impact student veterans to determine what is being done well and where improvements can be made.”

According to Military Friendly®, this designation indicates that a university “strives toward and succeeds in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world.” More than 1,800 schools participated in last year’s survey. Final ratings are determined by an institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student veteran retention and graduation rates, job placement, repayment, persistence, and financial aid.

"Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard," said Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®.

UAFS also holds designation as a Military Spouse Friendly® School, having instituted policies to address the concerns and needs of military spouses and their families. UAFS has constructed admissions, retention, career counseling, and mentoring programs to help alleviate the difficulties faced by military spouses and offers flexible learning options and degree completion programs that are designed to accommodate deployments and relocation.

At UAFS, veterans and their dependents are offered priority registration and student veterans are offered a payment grace period if benefits are paid after the start of the semester. Additionally, the Veterans Resource Center serves as a hub for student veterans to study and connect with other student veterans and dependents.

• Tags:
• Military Friendliness Report
• Military and Veterans