Nov 22
Nov 10, 2023
(Sault Ste. Marie, MI) – Lake Superior State University (LSSU) is excited to announce its exceptional recognition as the #1 Best College for Veterans among regional Midwest colleges in this year’s U.S. News and World Report Rankings. The Midwest region includes twelve states. To be eligible for a ranking as a Best College for Veterans, a college must engage in federal initiatives that support and assist veterans and active-duty service members with education costs.
During the development of their 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, LSSU set a goal of obtaining a Veteran-Friendly School Gold level recognition from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). Before setting this goal, they had ranked at the Silver Level. LSSU quickly accomplished this goal in the 2021-2022 academic year and has now sustained this achievement for the third consecutive year.
“We were extremely pleased that we were able to reach the MVAA Gold level so quickly after setting this goal,” stated Dr. Lynn Gillette, Interim President of Lake Superior State University.. “Not only do we want to create a welcoming and supportive environment for veterans on our campus, it seems especially important because of our proximity to the United States Coast Guard Sector here in Sault Ste. Marie and the fact that our Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and the Environment serves as a hub for the U.S. Coast Guard National Center of Expertise (NCOE) for the Great Lakes.”
LSSU has long-established agreements with the Michigan Army and Air National Guard, as well as the United States Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, to offer reduced tuition rates to members and their dependents. This semester, LSSU has fourteen individuals who are benefiting from these agreements, making higher education more accessible to those who have served our country. Overall, LSSU has 46 veterans and their dependents utilizing VA Education Benefits. Since 2012, LSSU has been a participant in the Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon Program, designed to help bridge the financial gap between the GI Bill and the total cost of education. This initiative helps veterans cover tuition costs and fees that the GI Bill may not fully cover, ensuring they can achieve their educational goals without undue financial burden.
“We knew we were working toward reaching new heights in our support of veterans, but it is always welcome to receive the external validation of organizations such as the U.S. News and World Report rankings and the MVAA Gold level recognition,” added Dr. Gillette.
For more information about Lake Superior State University, please visit www.lssu.edu. For more information about LSSU’s Veteran’s Educational Benefits and Services, please visit https://dev-lssu.gotchahosting.com/registrar/veterans-educational-benefits-and-services/.