Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Tennessee

If you live in Tennessee and have a history of military service, you may be wondering about military-friendly schools in your state. What are some top colleges and universities in Tennessee for those who are or have been on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces?

Student veterans and active-duty service members, their dependents, and military spouses may be eligible for various military education benefits. This may be offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, various scholarship programs, and individual schools.

Some Tennessee schools known for supporting military-connected students include the University of Tennessee and Austin Peay State University. Keep reading to find out more about military-friendly colleges.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Tennessee

All colleges and universities accept military service members and their family members, but some schools offer additional support services and educational benefits. Let's take a look at a few of those schools in Tennessee that support the military community.

1. University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the flagship school of the University of Tennessee System. It has been around since 1794 and boasts an enrollment of more than 36,000 students.

This school provides many veteran services and benefits, including transfer credits for military training. Several scholarships and grants are also available for military students, and military-specific student services are available through the school's veteran success center.

2. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a large private school in Nashville. It provides various degree programs and financial support opportunities to many of its nearly 14,000 students.

This military-friendly school provides support for military educational benefits and the Yellow Ribbon program. It also offers the Bass Scholars program, which provides substantial scholarships to military-connected students pursuing graduate and professional degrees.

3. Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University is a public school located in Murfreesboro. It enrolls around 20,000 students in both campus-based and online degree programs.

In addition to providing full support for military-connected students through the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, the school awards various scholarships for nontraditional students. Some of these are specifically designed for those with a military background and their families.

4. Tennessee Technological University

Tennessee Technological University, commonly known as Tennessee Tech, is in Cookeville. This public school serves around 10,000 students, including those with a military history.

The school offers scholarship and grant opportunities for military students, a student veteran organization, and various helpful resources and support services. What's more, members of the National Guard may be eligible for tuition assistance through the Tennessee STRONG program.

5. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis is a large public school enrolling around 22,000 students. It provides a wide range of both in-person and online degree programs.

Students at this school can receive transfer credits for military experience and may be eligible for various scholarships and aid programs. The school also offers a military-specific study space where students can connect with others who have a service background.

6. Austin Peay State University

Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville. A medium-sized public school, it enrolls around 10,000 students, some of whom study online.

Military students at this school enjoy a generous transfer credit policy, an array of scholarship opportunities, and plenty of student support services. These services include the Veterans Upward Bound program, the Newton Military Family Resource Center, and career and mentorship experiences.

7. Southern Adventist University

Southern Adventist University is a small private school located in Collegedale. It enrolls just under 3,000 on its large rural campus.

The school welcomes service members, reservists, veterans, and their families and accepts various education benefit funds. It also provides scholarship opportunities and employs academic advisors and counselors who can help those with a military background navigate the transition back to civilian life.

8. Carson-Newman University

Carson-Newman University is a private school associated with the Baptist Church. Located in Jefferson City, it enrolls around 2,500 students.

Those at this school can transfer military training and service for college credit. The school also provides a dedicated veterans center, an ROTC program, and various support services for military-connected students.

9. Rhodes College

Rhodes College is a private school located in Memphis. It enrolls around 2,000 students in a variety of degree programs.

As a Yellow Ribbon-participating school, Rhodes also accepts federal benefits such as the GI Bill and seeks to ensure all service members and veterans graduate affordably. Students also have opportunities to participate in Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs through a partnership with the University of Memphis.

10. Belmont University

Belmont University is a private Christian school located in Nashville. It enrolls nearly 9,000 students from each state throughout America and beyond.

This school is recognized for being military-friendly. It provides many support services to help you throughout your educational journey, the ability to transfer military training and experience as college credit, and military-specific financial aid packages to pair with any federal benefits you may receive.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

There are various educational assistance programs in place to help military families pay for college. While these financial aid programs may not cover all college costs, they can increase educational accessibility by making school more affordable. What's more, when combined with scholarships and other forms of financial aid, they may help vets and their families complete higher education for free.

Let's look at some of the top educational benefits available for military-affiliated students.

GI Bill Benefits

The GI Bill provides funding that can be used for anything from college application fees to tuition for those who are or have been in the military on active duty or selected reserve roles.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill is available for those who have served since September 11th, 2001, while the Montgomery GI Bill is for all active-duty and reserve service members who meet certain eligibility requirements. The amount of funding each GI Bill recipient receives varies depending on various factors.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

The Department of Defense offers a tuition assistance program that can reduce or eliminate tuition rates for current and former military members. This program pays up to $250 per credit hour, not to exceed $4,500 per year, to help with educational costs.

Military College Funds

The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps each offer college funds to supplement the funding service members receive through the GI Bill. These funding programs, known collectively as the GI Bill Kicker, are offered to certain qualifying vets and service members to help them pay for additional college expenses not covered by the GI Bill.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Tennessee

If you're still curious about attending college as a veteran or active-duty military member in Tennessee, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some frequently asked questions you may have.

Are There Military-Friendly Online Colleges in Tennessee?

Several schools outlined above offer online bachelor's and master's degree programs. These online schools can make education more flexible and accessible for those with a military background. Some of the options include:

• University of Memphis
• Austin Peay State University
• Middle Tennessee State University

Is College Free for Veterans in Tennessee?

Tennessee does not offer state programs to guarantee free tuition for veterans or service members. That said, those with a military background have various opportunities to complete their education for free.

They can attend one of the military-friendly schools discussed in this article, combine educational benefits like the GI Bill and tuition assistance, and seek scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. These programs combined can help Tennessee military students graduate for free or nearly free.

Is Tennessee College of Applied Technology a Yellow Ribbon School?

The Yellow Ribbon program is a voluntary program allowing schools to provide additional funding for military-connected students, potentially covering all their expenses. The Tennessee College of Applied Technology, a network of vocational schools in Tennessee, does not appear to be a Yellow Ribbon school, as it is not listed on the Department of Veterans Affairs directory of Yellow Ribbon schools.