USC Aiken Again Ranked as Nation's Top Military Friendly School

Aiken, SC (01/29/2019) — The University of South Carolina Aiken has been identified as a "Better for Veterans" institution, according to VIQTORY, which released the 2019-2020 Military Friendly ® Schools list.

"We are extremely proud to be listed among this impressive group," said Robert Murphy, director of the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success.

"USC Aiken's academic excellence, coupled with our community collaboration, make this designation possible."

"Our mission is to ensure veterans and their families enjoy the best collegiate experience possible. We try to honor their service and sacrifice with an unwavering commitment to their continued personal, professional and educational success."

Now in its 10th year, the Military Friendly® Schools list has come to set the standard for higher education institutions to provide the best opportunities for veterans and their spouses.

"This prestigious list provides a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families using data sources from federal agencies and proprietary survey information from participating organizations," according to a related release from VIQTORY.

This year, 766 schools earned this prestigious designation. The Military Friendly ® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions.

"I am extremely grateful to Robert and his team of dedicated professionals who provide extraordinary support to this important student population," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, chancellor at USC Aiken.

"Since we first opened the doors five years ago, the Veteran and Military Student Success Center, along with our faculty and staff, have ensured these students receive the holistic support they need and deserve."

Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly ® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution's survey scores with the assessment of the institution's ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence - which means degree advancement or transfer, and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

In addition to the recent Military Friendly designation, the USC Aiken VMSS Center has received numerous accolades and has been seen as a model for other institutions hoping to provide the same level of thorough support.

The 2019-2020 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine.

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs ®, Military Spouse, and Military Friendly ® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any federal government entity.

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