Framingham State Named a Military-Friendly School [Video]

has been named to the 2012 Guide to Military Friendly Schools, placing the University in the top 20 percent of schools and colleges in the country "that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans."

The guide is released by G.I. Jobs Magazine, the premier publication for military transitioners. According to the publication’s Web site, schools on the list are "making the grade by offering scholarships and discounts, veterans clubs, counselors, military credit and other services to those who served."

"Framingham State is proud to be listed in this influential guide to educational opportunity," President Timothy Flanagan said.

The news comes on the heels of a report from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education that shows a majority of Massachusetts student veterans and their dependents who make use of GI Bill benefits are choosing to enroll at the state’s public colleges and universities.

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray highlighted the news during a meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services held Wednesday at Framingham State University.

"Our administration applauds all returning veterans who have enrolled in one of the many higher education institutions in Massachusetts," said Murray, who chairs the Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services.

Massachusetts student veterans attending the state’s public colleges and universities have their tuition and mandatory fees paid in full under the terms of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvement Act of 2010. The benefit, which is not capped, applies to both undergraduate and graduate programs in the state’s public higher education system.

Additionally, Massachusetts offers all veterans a public higher education tuition waiver, which serves to compliment the GI Bill and enables all resident veterans who may not qualify for GI Bill benefits to pursue degree and certificate programs at reduced cost.

In the video with this report, Murray talked about the numbers of veterans at the state colleges and universities. Data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicates 58% of Massachusetts student veterans and their dependents, who make use of GI Bill benefits, are choosing to enroll at the state’s community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts.