Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Indiana

Military-friendly colleges help active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and dependents save money on school costs. As a military-affiliated student, you can enjoy lower tuition rates, scholarships, grants, and education benefits at community colleges, colleges, and universities, including schools in Indiana.

Students can use their military benefits for Indiana colleges as this state is home to multiple military- and veteran-friendly colleges. If you're interested in pursuing your undergraduate or graduate degree, Ball State University, the University of Southern Indiana, and Valparaiso University are military-friendly schools to consider.

Below, we'll look at some of the best military-friendly colleges in Indiana. We'll also look at free college opportunities from the U.S. military and FAQs about military-friendly colleges in the state.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Indiana

Military students and their family members can use military education benefits to save on tuition, books, mandatory fees, and more when attending military-friendly schools in Indiana. The following institutions can help students cover the cost of their bachelor's or graduate degree.

1. Indiana University

Indiana University campuses help the military community access benefits to cover the cost of college. For example, Indiana University Bloomington, home to hundreds of veterans, military spouses, and dependents, offers the Center for Veteran and Military Students. This office helps students process paperwork for military education benefits.

Indiana University Indianapolis offers the Office for Veterans and Military Personnel. This office helps students apply for the GI Bill, tuition assistance, scholarships, and state benefits.

2. Ball State University

Ball State University offers the Veterans Affairs office to help veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and their family members receive financial aid and other educational benefits.

The school provides top online degree programs for student-veterans. Enrollees at Ball State can access numerous military benefits. Some include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill, VEAP educational benefits, and the Indiana Army National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG).

3. University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame's Office of Military & Veterans Affairs helps students in active-duty military service, veterans, and their families access GI Bill benefits, scholarships, and more. Students accepted to the university work with a certifying official to secure educational benefits and housing.

The university also offers the Warrior-Scholarships Project (WSP), a free, immersive academic boot camp for active-duty and veteran service members interested in pursuing higher education.

4. Indiana State University

Indiana State University in Terre Haute is home to the Veterans Affairs Resource Center, which provides service members with an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor before enrollment.

ESOs and counselors help students apply for education benefits from federal and state programs offered through the Indiana Commission of Indiana Division of Student Financial Aid and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additional services include help with registration, housing, and credit transfers.

5. Anderson University

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Anderson University helps undergrad and grad students access military and veterans benefits. They can take advantage of university-based tuition assistance, which reduces the cost of tuition for armed service members.

Additional benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill, Survivors' And Dependents' Educational Assistance Program, and Post-9/11 GI Bill. The university encourages students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal and state aid.

6. University of Southern Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana offers the Veteran, Military and Family Resource Center to help service members and their families transition from military to civilian life. The center provides information about veteran benefits to help students qualify for financial aid opportunities.

Students can get help with the VA benefits application process through the school's online site. Future students and enrollees can also visit the center on campus for assistance.

7. Hanover College

Hanover College helps military service members and their families access education benefits to cover tuition. Military-connected students work with their certifying officials to identify the right benefits.

Applications on the college's website help students pursue VA education benefits and apply for family members to use transferred benefits. Hanover College is a Yellow Ribbon institution and accepts federal student aid.

8. Franklin College

Franklin College provides military students and their families with a VA-certifying official to help with enrollment and transfers. Certifying officials offer insight into different educational benefits available to military-connected enrollees.

As a military-friendly college, Franklin offers special admissions considerations to current and former US military students. Students who meet admissions and CASPA requirements can move on to the interview phase of the admissions process.

9. Marian University

Marian University in Indianapolis helps veterans and military-connected students secure GI Bills and other educational benefits. They include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill (selected reserve and active duty), and VR&E Veteran Readiness and Employment.

Eligible enrollees can apply for the Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant and the State of Indiana Child of Disabled Veteran and Child of Purple Heart Recipient State Scholarship.

10. Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University offers Veteran Student Services for active-duty, reserve, veteran, and dependent students. Military members can access the Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve National Guard, Reserve, Educational Assistance Program (REAP), Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty, and other benefits.

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) students can qualify for scholarships, grants, and loans.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

The U.S. military offers opportunities for students to reduce their tuition or enroll for free. Here are some great benefits to consider.

GI Bill Benefits

The GI Bill helps military service members and their families cover some or all school and training costs. Three GI Bill options include:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: helps students who have served on active duty after September 10, 2001 cover the full cost of tuition and fees, housing, books, supplies, and relocation from rural areas
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD): covers the cost of education and training for students who have served at least two years on active duty
• Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR): pays for up to 36 months of education and training benefits for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard members

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) offers up to $250 per credit hour or $166 per quarter hour to cover the cost of undergrad and grad programs, distance learning, independent studies, and vocational/technical school. Benefits are available to Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force members.

Military College Funds

Alongside the GI Bills and tuition assistance are scholarships and grants for military students and their families. Some include:

• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
• Student Veteran Support (SVS) Grant
• AMVETS scholarships
• Army Women's Foundation scholarship programs

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Indiana

Earning a college degree is a great way for active-duty military members to secure an officer role. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), only 18% of military personnel are officers making this a distinguished role. Military-friendly colleges can help you achieve this goal. Learn more about these schools and ways to save on tuition with the following FAQs.

Are There Military-Friendly Online Colleges in Indiana?

A top online military-friendly school in Indiana is Purdue Global, which is a part of Purdue Global and has locations in Fort Wayne and Lafayette. Military attendees can take advantage of tuition reductions and veteran funding. Purdue students also receive credits for their military training.

Is College Free for Veterans Living in Indiana?

Veterans in Indiana who are also Purple Heart recipients can receive 100% for tuition and regularly assessed fees. Funds can be used at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree levels. The limit for this benefit is 124 credit hours.

Is Indiana State University Approved for Tuition Assistance?

Yes, Indiana State University is approved for tuition assistance. Eligible students receive $250 per credit hour sent directly to the university. Books, course materials, flight training fees, and continuing education units are not covered.