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Colleges With Flexible Admission Policies for Veterans

Applying to college or university can be stressful. Essays, transcripts, fees – it can be a lot to handle. But did you know some schools simplify the process for veterans and, in some cases, might even guarantee admission?

There are conditions, but let’s look at some schools and organizations taking extra steps to ease your higher education admission pathway.

Schools that Waive Application Fees for Veterans

Applying to college or university can get expensive fast. With application fees ranging from $30 to over $100, applying to multiple schools can take a big bite out of your bank account. Yet, increasingly, more institutions are waiving those costs for veterans or active-duty applicants.

In some states, statutes mandate it. Schools with a fee-waiver policy include Purdue University, which offers fee waivers for undergraduate and graduate applicants who are veterans or on active duty.

Undergraduate students can request the waiver directly on the application. Graduate students are eligible for one fee waiver per program.

To request the fee waiver, you must indicate on the graduate school application under the “Additional Information” section that you are part of the “U.S. Veterans and U.S. Military Service Members” recruitment program.

The University of North Carolina waives application fees for veterans and active-duty students. Like many schools, veterans utilize the transfer application and must fill out a fee waiver form.

Guaranteed Admission

In some cases, “admission” can be guaranteed. It’s not widespread among schools, and there are other significant and often very stringent requirements. But guaranteed admission programs do exist.

The programs listed below are not just for veterans; they are designed for and open to all prospective candidates. However, if you seek an easier path and meet the criteria, you may qualify for “guaranteed” acceptance at some excellent schools. Here are a few:

• Tulane University: Tulane is a very competitive private school with a notably low rate of acceptance – somewhere less than 15%. Yet if you are a Louisiana resident with an exceptional G.P.A. and ACT or SAT score, you may be eligible for guaranteed admission. You will need to apply early decision and not have attended any other college or university after high school graduation. Lastly, anyone who has disciplinary actions on the high school records is ineligible.
• Truman State Universit TruMerit Program: If you qualify for Truman’s sliding scale “TruMerit” scholarship, you may also be eligible for automatic admission. Requirements exist, but they tend to be a little less rigorous than those of some other schools. You should also keep in mind that they emphasize extracurricular activities.
• Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WAGAP): Washington State does things differently. If students have a GPA of 3.0, have completed College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR) prerequisites, and intend to attend one of the 6 participating public colleges and universities, they may receive guaranteed admission. While policies vary among institutions, you may be able to defer guaranteed admission to an academic year in the future.

Enlisted Deferment for Servicemembers

You have options if you plan to enlist in the military and pursue higher education later. Sometimes, you can pave a path to higher education before you leave for basic training. Some schools offer guaranteed admission after completing your first enlistment if you meet specific criteria.

• CUNY – Staten Island Veterans Promise:  If you graduated high school after 2023 and were accepted at this CUNY campus, you may be guaranteed enrollment after completing your first enlistment. The program does not penalize you if your enlistment is extended involuntarily. A medical or honorable discharge is required.

• Syracuse Operation Veterans Promise: If you want to attend a private school, Syracuse offers a similar program for enlisted students who graduated high school after 2021. Students may receive guaranteed admission if they graduate with a GPA of at least 3.0 and are limited to the full-time main campus. Admission to specific schools on campus is subject to their particular requirements.

If you are planning to enlist in the Army or Army Reserves, you have access to the Army Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP). While not a deferment, ConAP can be a valuable planning tool that links future soldiers with participating schools.

Priority Registration for Classes

Since veterans typically have a limited amount of months to utilize their benefits, getting the classes you need for your degree is essential to keeping you on track. Some schools recognize this and offer veterans the chance to register ahead of the general student population.

• The University of California System: The UC system of 9 public schools offers priority registration to veterans currently using VA education benefits for active-duty and reserve members. You may also be eligible if you are not receiving benefits but can demonstrate your veteran status. Eligibility can be extended from one semester to the next.

• East Stroudsburg University: East Stroudsburg is among the 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in Pennsylvania required by law to offer “course scheduling preference” to any student who has served in any branch of the Armed Forces and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. While the policies for implementing this law may vary by institution, East Stroudsburg provides a priority PIN that gives you a spot at the front of the line for class registration.
• Morgan State University: At Morgan State, veterans in the student database, such as veterans under “any classification,” are eligible for first-choice selection for all courses under their Priority Registration Grouping. Eligible students are also issued a PIN and must register for the program each semester to ensure their qualification.

Personal Essay Waivers

• Community Colleges: Like many student veterans, you might be considering a community (or 2-year) school. These schools typically have a more generalized approach to the application process, so there’s a good chance you won’t need to start an essay. Check directly with the school you are considering verifying all application requirements.
• Utah State University: Utah State does not require essays or personal statements to apply. Its website enables prospective students to engage with an advisor specializing in their particular admission status, including first-year, transfer, returning, and international students.
• Clemson University: At Clemson, personal statements for first-year students are optional, so it’s up to you.

Schools With No SAT or ACT Requirement

Quite a few schools recognize that admission tests do not necessarily demonstrate the full capabilities of veterans and now waive SAT or ACT requirements for admission. Here are a few:

• Brown University: Brown has established several veteran-supportive practices to ease the process for veterans and meet its objective of growing this population on campus. Its veteran’s application is highly specialized, and it optimizes its relationship with Service to School  (see below) to provide mentoring and networking, along with generous financial aid opportunities and an optional requirement for the SAT or ACT. BU is also a Yellow Ribbon school and waives application fees for veterans.
• Boston University: BU’s continued focus on a more “holistic” approach to considering candidates has led to a policy of making tests optional for all students through 2028-2029. It also provides a Yellow Ribbon scholarship.

VA Help in Higher Education

The application process can be overwhelming, but fortunately, help is available via the Veterans Administration (VA) – Educational and career counseling (VA Chapter 36) program.

This option can help eligible separating service members establish a pathway to their education or career objectives. Within 6 months of leaving the military or within a year following your transition, members may be able to access the program’s resources. You do not necessarily need to qualify for VA education benefits to receive this academic and education counseling,

Veterans Resource Centers

If you have some schools in mind that meet your needs and interests, a good first place to start is with their on-campus veterans resource center. Not every school has one on campus, and their resources are not uniform, but it should be your first stop if your school has one. To give you an idea of what may be offered, here are a few examples:

Ohio State Veteran Services: Ohio State has a veterans resource center and broad online guidance on the application process, including tips on housing, document submission, health care, and more.

Florida State University Student Center: Florida State’s center includes veteran liaisons and a course, that can be audited for free, or with a nominal tuition fee for credit to enhance the transition to an academic environment.

Columbia University – Center for Veterans Transition and Reintegration (CVTI): Columbia has robust online resources including free online coursework to veterans considering higher education.