MVRC Accolades and Accomplishments
Military Friendly® School
UWF Received a Gold Rating on the List of Military Friendly Schools.
The University of West Florida receives the Gold Rating on the 2021 Military Friendly® Schools list for large public institutions. This is the 11th consecutive year that University of West Florida has been named a Military Friendly® School. This designation is awarded to the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace military students, and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. Schools earned rights to the coveted Military Friendly® trademarked designation via qualifying scores from a rigorous survey assessment. The final ratings were determined by combining each institution's survey scores with the assessment of its ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. The Military Friendly Awards provides a more competitive view of how an institution is performing. UWF is a great school for military members, veterans and families as exhibited by the tremendous support provided by the Military & Veterans Resource Center (MVRC).
2021 Best for Vets Colleges
Military Times announced its 2021 Best for Vets College Rankings and UWF is ranked 76 out of 366 in the nation. The rankings factor in the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military students' success rates. The detailed survey requires schools to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to military and veteran students and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus. Best for Vets provides service men and women a gauge by which to judge whether a school or degree program will truly benefit them. The rankings factored in service member enrollment, percentage of tuition covered by the GI Bill®, and availability of specific programs to help service members.
Purple Heart
In August 2015, UWF was sponsored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 566, Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties for the designation of “Purple Heart University.” To be designated a “Purple Heart University,” UWF has demonstrated exceptional commitment in support of all veterans and families attending UWF. More specifically, this designation officially recognizes UWF’s dedication and support honoring veterans who were wounded in combat while serving their country and who are now pursuing their academic degrees as an Argonaut. Additionally, a proclamation: honoring the sacrifice and courage of all veterans who were wounded in combat while serving their county, and pledging UWFs continued support of combat-wounded veterans, was signed by the then President of UWF, Dr. Judith Bense.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The University of West Florida (UWF) has been awarded the ability to be a participating member of the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011. UWF has voluntarily entered into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. This agreement is part of the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Only individuals entitled to the maximum benefit rate (based on service requirements) may receive this funding.
If eligible, the Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. You may have tuition and fees that exceed that amount if you are in an out-of-state status. UWF will pay 50% of the amount above the maximum allowed by the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and the VA will pay the remaining 50%.
To confirm your eligibility and apply for the Yellow Ribbon Program contact the Veteran Services Office at mvrc@uwf.edu, 850-474-2250.
