CCU Earns Military Friendly School Status
Colorado Christian University has been named a military friendly school, included in an annual list released by G.I. Jobs, for its active engagement of servicemembers, veterans, and their families. Since 2009, over 500,000 of these men and women have taken advantage of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which greatly reduces a student's out-of-pocket tuition costs and includes a housing stipend. As large numbers of soldiers continue to return to U.S. shores, the necessity for military friendly schools has never been greater.
"Many aspects of CCU's programs and processes were evaluated by a neutral, third party to allow CCU the honor to be selected as a G.I. Jobs 'Military Friendly School,'" said Regional Enrollment Director for Southern Colorado Sherry Ferriman. "This objective opinion and selection shows how CCU strives to support our military, veterans, and family members. We focus on students and their success, which allows the service members (students) the ability to balance their military career and education."
CCU was included in 2012 for a variety of reasons: the school offers military discounts -- including discounts for dependents -- and also awards credits for previous military training or through testing. Additionally, the College of Adult and Graduate Students specifically designs courses for adult learners, offering flexible schedules, online classes, and the understanding that adult students approach school differently. Along with on-base learning options, something only 15% of even military friendly schools offer, CCU also works with troops on deployment. Such efforts have led to CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies attracting hundreds of new military students each year.
"Higher education means various things to the military servicemembers," remarked Ferriman. "Whether they are pursuing an education to enhance their military career or a new civilian career, it is important we strive to support those who serve so they can focus on their future."
The G.I. Jobs Military Friendly Schools Team accessed public and private data for this report, including surveys of over 8,000 higher education schools. All schools were examined on a variety of policies, potential discounts, various program memberships, and a school's previous success in recruiting military members. While CCU stood out in a variety of areas, the school's regional accreditation, through the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, offers credits that are widely transferable to almost any other school, unlike some national accreditations.
With over 11 million searches of the Military Friendly Schools website last year, it is one of the most sought-after search engines for servicemembers interested in higher education.