Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Michigan

The military and VA offer education benefits to help military members, vets, and their family members pay for college. Military students can use these military education benefits at many different Michigan colleges.

Several schools in Michigan offer additional financial aid for military members and other types of veteran services. Students can use various military benefits for colleges in Michigan. Keep reading to discover the best military-friendly colleges in Michigan.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Michigan

Michigan is home to several military-friendly schools. In this context, military-friendly means that they offer support services to student veterans and military members; they typically also accept military financial aid and provide Yellow Ribbon support when applicable.

Below, we've featured ten military and veteran-friendly schools in Michigan.

1. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It offers a Veteran and Military Services Program designed to help military service members as they transition into higher education.

Because the university is public, your tuition costs may be fully covered by the GI Bill. The university also offers specific scholarships for military students and the Go Blue Guarantee, which provides free tuition to all students with a family income under $75,000.

2. Michigan State University

Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It offers the Student Veterans Resource Center to help support active-duty and veteran students.

Students can use GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance to help pay for their tuition at MSU. The university also offers multiple scholarship and grant opportunities to current and former service members.

3. Wayne State University

Wayne State University is a public research university in Detroit, Michigan. Its Office of Military and Veterans Academic Excellence offers several services for military students, including the Student Veteran Resource Center.

WSU accepts GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance. It also offers work-study programs specifically for student veterans.

4. Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University is a public research university in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It provides guidance and mentorship for veterans, active-duty service members, and their family members through its Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The university is frequently listed as one of the best colleges for military-connected students thanks to its veterans services. In addition to military and VA education benefits, students at WMU can pay for school through various military scholarships from the university.

5. Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Its Veterans Resource Center assists students with enrollment, financial aid, and support throughout the school year.

The university allows your GI Bill benefits to stretch farther by offering a military tuition rate that's nearly half the cost of the standard rate. Military students can also request an application fee waiver.

6. Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, Michigan. It offers support for veterans, active-duty military members, military spouses, and dependents through its Military and Veterans Resource Center.

This center helps students access their military education benefits to pay for school. GVSU also offers in-state tuition rates to all military students and allows students to earn credit for some military training.

7. Ferris State University

Ferris State University is a public university based in Big Rapids, Michigan. Its Veterans Resource Center offers assistance to help military students transition to college and also helps students apply for education benefits and healthcare.

Students can use their GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance to cover their tuition. In addition, they can take advantage of multiple scholarships the university offers to veteran students and their dependents.

8. Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University is a public university in University Center, Michigan. It works to address the needs of military-connected students through its Military Student Affairs Office.

Saginaw Valley State University is constantly ranked as a military-friendly school. Students can use their GI Benefits and military tuition assistance here and take advantage of the university's scholarships for veterans and their family members.

9. Lake Superior State University

Lake Superior State University is a public college in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was recently rated as a gold-level military-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA).

The university accepts GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance. It also offers the Veterans Assistance Fund to provide emergency assistance to veteran students.

10. University of Detroit Mercy

The University of Detroit Mercy is a private Roman Catholic university in Detroit, Michigan. It is consistently rated as a military-friendly school; many of the offices and programs at the university have designated individuals to work with veterans and their spouses or dependents.

While the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers most tuition costs at Detroit Mercy, it doesn't cover the total. The university will cover what remains through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

Depending on what branch you are affiliated with and the length of your service, you may qualify for free tuition through the military or the Department of Veterans Affairs. We've listed some common military education benefits below.

GI Bill Benefits

The VA offers financial aid through the GI Bill. Variations of the bill that can assist include:

• The Post 9/11 GI Bill: for those who served on active duty on or after 9/11, can cover up to 100% of tuition costs at a public, in-state college or up to $28,937 per year at a private college, and also offers stipends for books and housing
• Yellow Ribbon Program: part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, this program allows schools to cover remaining tuition costs left after the Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Service: for those who served at least two years on active duty, covers the cost of tuition and training programs
• Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve: for selected reserve members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard, covers the cost of tuition and training programs

Eligibility requirements vary by program. You can learn more through the VA website.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

Each branch of the Department of Defense offers some form of a tuition assistance program to active-duty service members. These programs can cover up to 100% of tuition costs at community colleges and four-year colleges and universities.

Program requirements vary between branches. For example, some may not cover education above a bachelor's degree, and others may require you to be enlisted for a certain period. Reach out to an education counselor for assistance.

Military College Funds

Many branches of the military also offer military college funds. You sign up for this program when you enlist, and it adds additional funding to your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Specifics vary between branches. The Navy and Air Force do not offer this college fund program.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Michigan

Below, we've answered some FAQs about military-friendly colleges in Michigan.

Can the Military Get You Into Any College in Michigan?

The military cannot help you get into any college you choose. Being in the military may help boost your application, but it does not guarantee acceptance at any institution.

What Should I Look For in a Military-Friendly College?

There are a few things you should consider when looking at military-friendly colleges, including:

• acceptance of VA benefits and military tuition assistance
• additional scholarships for military members and their dependents
• a strong veteran services department that offers support and resources
• flexibility when working with military members who may need to work around their military duties or leave for military service

Are There Online Military-Friendly Colleges in Michigan?

Several Michigan colleges are military-friendly and offer online programs. These include Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Western Michigan University.

Online programs are great for veteran education because they're flexible. GI Bill benefits will generally pay for online programs the same way they would in-person programs.