Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Texas

The state of Texas has numerous military-friendly colleges that support military students with various resources and veteran services like military affairs centers, benefits assistance, and mentorship.

They encourage students throughout their program by offering academic advising and flexibility when it comes to their program schedules.

If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, or a military family member, finding a college in Texas with these resources can help you get the most out of your well-earned military education benefits.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Texas

Students can use military benefits for colleges in Texas. The following schools are considered the top military-friendly colleges in Texas. They provide strong support for veterans and active-duty members to help them achieve their educational goals.

1. University of Texas at Austin

Military students at the University of Texas at Austin have access to the school's Veteran and Military Affiliated Services which provides them with customized resources. The university, which has additional locations in San Antonio and Dallas, encourages student success with academic advising, career counseling, mental health services, and healthcare.

Aside from participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, UT Austin also offers campus-based scholarships and grants to help students with their education expenses.

2. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University, located in College Station, provides several support services for service members and veteran students during their program. The Veteran Resource and Support Center and the Military Admissions staff can help military students navigate their benefits and provide individualized guidance during enrollment.

Texas A&M's military leadership programs, like the Corps of Cadets, provide an environment where students can participate in hands-on learning and leadership experiences.

3. University of Houston

The University of Houston is another one of the state's military-friendly schools with dedicated veteran services to support transitioning service members. They welcome military students helping them utilize their benefits and access financial aid resources. Their Veterans Services Office guides students with education benefits, career services, and community building.

4. Texas State University

Texas State University is recognized for its commitment to serving military students and veterans. The school provides a supportive environment with helpful academic and financial aid resources for military-affiliated students. The Office of Veterans Affairs can help students by certifying their eligibility for educational benefits and planning their degree plans.

The university also has a Veterans Advisory Council with additional academic services to advise and support military students during their transition to college.

5. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas helps military students excel during their degree programs, ensuring they have all the support they need to succeed. The Student Veteran Services can provide on-campus or online assistance with their Federal VA Benefits and Tuition Assistance to make sure students are getting the most out of both their military benefits and financial aid resources.

6. Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private university that offers extensive support for veterans and active-duty service members. They accept VA education benefits including the GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, and Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA).

The university's Registrar's Office and the Veterans Service Center help military students certify their enrollment and ensure they're utilizing military benefits most effectively.

7. Rice University

Rice University actively supports military students and works with them throughout the admission and registration process. The Office of the Registrar can answer questions and guide students with VA education benefits, transfer credits, and military scholarships.

Rice University's Military Scholars Program is a full tuition scholarship for eligible students in the full-time MBA program.

8. University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington offers academic advising, benefit certification, and financial aid resources for its veteran and service member students. UTA's veteran's office connects new students with peer mentors with their Veteran's Edge Peer Mentorship program.

Aside from their many veteran support programs the school also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, helping to further lower tuition costs for eligible out-of-state students.

9. Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University provides comprehensive support to military students through its Office of Veteran Services. The staff can guide students on VA and state benefits and connect students with academic assistance, and career resources. Military students can also apply for Tarleton State University's scholarships for active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.

10. Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University (MSU) serves veterans and their families by providing various resources. The school's Veterans Affairs team can help students navigate their VA benefits and the certification process. Military Education Officers at MSU work with students by going over application and degree program requirements and answering any questions they have.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

The U.S. military provides several benefit programs that have the potential to fully cover the cost of higher education for service members, veterans, and even their families.

GI Bill Benefits

The GI Bill offers comprehensive educational benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are two GI Bill programs for veterans, service members, and qualifying family members.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides 36 months of benefits that active-duty service members and veterans can use to pay tuition and education-related costs. If you qualify for 100% eligibility, you can receive full coverage for tuition and fees at in-state public colleges or up to $28,937 per year at private colleges.

Montgomery GI Bill

The Montgomery GI Bill is only for active-duty service members who served at least two years. The program covers educational expenses. The bill's benefits vary depending on factors like length of military service, type of program, eligibility for military college funds, and contributions to the Buy-Up program.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense program that offers financial support to active-duty service members. The program, which can be combined with other education benefits, provides military students with up to $4,500 each year for tuition expenses.

Military College Funds

The Navy, Army, National Guard, and Marine Corps offer College Funds to provide service members with an extra 36 months of financial support for their education. Military college funds are included in the GI Bill education benefits and can increase your total benefits by $24,000 or more.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Texas

These FAQs can answer some of your questions about military colleges and universities in Texas.

Do the Children of Veterans Receive Free College in Texas?

Yes, the Texas Hazlewood Act provides children of Texas Veterans up to 150 credit hours of tuition-free education at in-state public universities and colleges. Additionally, many educational benefit programs, such as the GI Bill, are also available for veteran's children, depending on their eligibility.

Are There Online Military-Friendly Programs in Texas?

Many Texas institutions have online programs to provide military members and veterans with a flexible and accessible education. Online degrees, including associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees, offer the flexibility military students need to accommodate their schedules and deployments by allowing continued education, regardless of location.

Is Texas College a Yellow Ribbon School?

Texas College does not participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, but they do accept other military benefits. However, Central Texas College is a Yellow Ribbon School and covers additional tuition costs that weren't covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Not every school participates in the program, so it can be a good idea to check with individual colleges to confirm which benefits they accept.