Eastern Connecticut State University has been designated as a “Military Friendly” School for 2021 by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. More than 600 Eastern faculty, staff and students are veterans, active military or reserves service members. 

Eastern was selected based on publicly available data as well as VIQTORY’s independently administered survey. The annual survey assessment is offered to more than 8,800 institutions nationwide and uses the following criteria: Academic Policies and Compliance, Military Student Support and Retention, Graduation and Career Outcomes, Admissions and Orientation, Culture and Commitment, and Financial Aid and Loan Repayment. More than 1,000 schools participated in the 2020-21 survey, with 625 schools earning the designation from every state in the country.

Final survey results and ratings were determined by combining an institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet minimum thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment and Loan Default rates for all students, especially for student veterans.

Now in its 10th year, the Military Friendly® 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.

The Military Friendly recognition is not the first award Eastern has received for it service to veterans and other students who are current or former members of the military. In 2020, the University was named a recipient of the inaugural 2020-21 Military Support Colleges of Distinction Award. The award, presented by “Colleges of Distinction,” recognized colleges and universities that dedicate resources to service members and veterans of the military.

In addition, in 2017, Eastern was in the top 15 schools in the North region in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges for Veterans” Guide.

Veterans and military personnel who are Eastern students have a range of resources available through The VETS (Veteran Education and Transition Services) Center, which has a study area and lounge and hosts social events and family programs. Because veterans often face additional challenges as students — such as post-traumatic stress disorder or families to support — the center organizes trainings for faculty to teach them about this dynamic student group. Situated in Willimantic, a town with a large veteran population, Eastern’s VETS Center also works as a link to the community, connecting students to the local American Legion and Veterans Affairs offices.

In addition to the VETS Center, trained staff in the Financial Aid Office help veterans with Veterans Administration certification and provide other support. The Center for Internships and Career Development also provides specialized services to veterans and military personnel enrolled at Eastern.

About VIQTORY:

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, Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity.

About Eastern:

Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut’s public liberal arts university, serving more than 4,000 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations. In addition to attracting students from 162 of Connecticut’s 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 33 other states and 20 countries. A residential campus offering 40 majors and 60 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked as the #1 public regional university in New England by U.S. News and World Report in its 2021 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded “Green Campus” status by the Princeton Review 11 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.