Saint Leo University, ranked as one of the top Veteran-Friendly Institutions and a Premier Yellow-Ribbon School, was assessed on key criteria such as offering veteran resource centers, student-veteran organizations, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs certifying officials, academic credit for military training or experience, and career services tailored to veterans’ needs.

The university was honored for not only meeting the criteria, but also for its ongoing commitment to veterans. Saint Leo was one of the first universities to bring college degree programs to military bases, starting in 1973 at Avon Park Bombing Range in Polk County, FL, and soon after at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, so that active duty personnel and veterans could study on base.
Now, Saint Leo offers degrees as well as support services at University Campus, online, and at regional education centers including at MacDill AFB and Naval Air Station Key West.

“It’s an honor to be selected as one of the top Veteran-Friendly Yellow Ribbon Schools in the nation,” said Dr. Anthony DeSantis, associate vice president of Student Affairs and director of the Office of Military Affairs & Services. “Our mission is to foster an environment where veterans as well as servicemembers and their families, thrive academically and personally. We want to make their transition to the classroom easy, affordable, fun, and life changing.”
With the new academic year just started, the university is hosting several events for its student-veterans including “We’ve Got Your Six,” a welcome back event on September 4 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Veteran and military-affiliated students will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch and meet with the Office of Military Affairs & Services team, campus resources, and the Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter. On September 12, the SVA chapter will host an online event to introduce SVA and engage university’s veteran population.

Saint Leo also prepares its faculty and staff by providing Green Zone Training so they may understand the needs of student-veterans as they transition from military to classroom life. They also may receive Veteran Affairs SAVE training to help those who might need mental health support.
Student-veterans at Saint Leo also are assisted by the Yellow Ribbon Program, which was established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help eligible veterans and their dependents, who qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, pay for tuition and fees at many out-of-state and private higher education institutions. In addition, the university offers special tuition rates, a Veterans Affairs work-study program, a Military Excellence Fund, and several veteran and military-affiliated endowed scholarships.

About Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is a Catholic Benedictine university dedicated to helping learners of all backgrounds and ages gain the competence and courage to be more. Offering more than 55 degree programs to more than 13,000 students each year, the nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education in the liberal arts tradition and a community of belonging for those who seek a greater purpose in life. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a campus in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, regional education centers, and several online programs. The university is home to more than 106,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.