Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Georgia

Military-friendly colleges and universities put a particular effort into ensuring military student success. This means providing a variety of support services and also accepting military education benefits to allow students to pay for tuition.

Georgia has many military-friendly colleges in the state. Keep reading to discover the best military-friendly colleges in Georgia.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Georgia

Not only is Georgia home to several military-friendly colleges and universities, it's home to some of the top military-friendly colleges in the country. Below, we've listed some of the best schools in Georgia that offer specific services for veterans and active-duty service members.

1. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public land-grant research university in Athens, Georgia. It's rated a Top 10 Military-Friendly School by Viqtory and ranked 37th on the Military Times most recent Best Colleges for Vets list thanks to the support offered by its Student Veterans Resource Center.

As UGA is a public university, military students can use their education benefits and potentially cover all tuition. The university also offers military scholarships and assistance programs like mentors, career services, and a Student Veterans Association.

2. Georgia State University

Georgia State University is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia. Its extensive military support services have earned the university the number four spot on the Military Times list and a spot on the top ten list from Viqtory.

Military benefits like the GI Bill and military tuition assistance may fully cover tuition at GSU. Military students at GSU get priority registration and can visit a Military Outreach Center at every campus location.

3. Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is a public research university in Georgia. It's ranked 33 on the Military Times ranking and is a designated gold-level Military-Friendly School due to its offerings from its Military Resource Center.

Students can use their education benefits to cover tuition, and the university also offers military scholarships. Military students can find additional support services through the university's Green Zone Program and Student Veterans of America chapter.

4. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is a public research university based in Kennesaw, Georgia. Its Military and Veteran Services office provides resources for military-connected students and the university holds a gold-level Military-Friendly award from Viqtory.

Military and VA education benefits can cover up to 100% of tuition at Kennesaw State. The university also provides several services for the military community, such as out-of-state tuition waivers, counseling programs, and a chapter of the Student Veterans of America.

5. Emory University

Emory University is a private research university in Brookhaven, Georgia. It assists service members, veterans, and their families through its Veterans Support Programs.

GI Bill benefits won't completely cover tuition at Emory University, but through the Yellow Ribbon Program, the school offers up to $7,000 each school year to 26 students to help cover costs. Additional services the university offers include healthcare programs and military scholarships.

6. Savannah State University

Savannah State University is a public, historically black university in Savannah, Georgia. Its department of Military and Veterans Affairs is responsible for serving active-duty military students, veteran students, and dependents.

Military students can use their benefits to cover tuition costs at Savannah State. Additionally, the university offers waivers that allow out-of-state military students to receive in-state tuition rates.

7. Clayton State University

Clayton State University is a public university in Morrow, Georgia. It assists military personnel with their transition to college through its Veterans Resource Services.

This office helps students with things like enrollment, job searches, and securing financial aid. Students can use their military education benefits to pay for their tuition.

8. Fort Valley State University

Fort Valley State University is a public, historically Black university in Fort Valley, Georgia. Its Office of Veterans Affairs helps eligible student veterans and their dependents secure their education benefits.

These benefits, like the GI Bill, can cover up to 100% of tuition costs at FVSU. The university also offers a Student Veterans Organization that gives military veterans a place to connect and network with other military members.

9. Augusta University

Augusta University is a public research university in Augusta, Georgia. It's ranked 181st on the Military Times list of Best for Vets Colleges thanks to the support its Office of Military and Veterans Services provides.

Students can use their military benefits to cover tuition costs. Additionally, Augusta University offers waivers for out-of-state tuition fees and some other fees for military students.

10. Columbus State University

Columbus State University is a public university in Columbus, Georgia. Its Military-Connected Student Services has landed the university at number 143 on the Military Times and in the top ten from Viqtory.

Military educational benefits should cover the cost of tuition at Columbus State for eligible students. The university also allows students to earn college credit for military training.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

Between VA benefits and DoD benefits, there are a few ways military members may be able to go to college for free. We've addressed a few common options below.

GI Bill Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) oversees GI Bill benefits. There are a few different types of GI Bills, and eligibility requirements vary between them.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for those who served on active duty on or after 9/11. It can cover up to 100% of tuition costs at a public, in-state school or up to $28,937 at a private school, and also provides stipends for housing and course materials.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and can cover costs the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't, like if a student chooses a private school. Schools need to opt-in to this program and many have caps on how much funding they distribute.

The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty provides financial aid for degree programs and job training. It's for those who served at least two years on active duty.

The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve is for Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard reservists. Like the active duty bill, it covers tuition costs but not housing or materials.

You can learn more about each type of VA education benefit program and its requirements at va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

Every branch of the military offers some sort of tuition assistance program for active-duty service members. These programs can cover up to 100% of tuition at accredited community colleges and four-year institutions.

Requirements vary between branches. Speak with an education counselor to learn more about the tuition assistance offered by your branch and how to qualify.

Military College Funds

Military college fund programs provide extra funding toward your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. These are commonly referred to as ''kickers.''

Like tuition assistance programs, different branches have different programs. However, neither the Navy nor the Air Force offers a college fund program.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Georgia

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about military colleges in Georgia.

Are There Military-Friendly Online Colleges in Georgia?

Most of the military-friendly colleges listed above offer online programs, and students can use their military benefits for online programs just as they would for in-person programs. Georgia State, Kennesaw State, and Clayton State, for example, all offer a variety of online programs.

Is the University of North Georgia Approved for Tuition Assistance?

The University of North Georgia is approved for tuition assistance, but only through the Army's program.

Is Georgia State University a Yellow Ribbon School?

Georgia State University is a Yellow Ribbon School and will pay the remaining tuition that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn't cover to up to 30 eligible students.