WHEELING, WV, June 29, 2010 - Wheeling Jesuit University is ranked at the top for U.S. military friendly schools, according to G.I. Jobs, a post-military success organization.

“Wheeling Jesuit is very pleased to be ranked in the top 15 percent of military friendly schools. We understand the need to assist our veterans with returning to college. Our VA certifying official, Pam Trabert, does a terrific job of helping each veteran navigate the system and enroll as quickly as possible," said Becky Forney, dean of enrollment management.

The G.I. Jobs Military Friendly Schools® list is an honor roll of more than 1,100 schools featuring the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s veterans as students.

“This list is especially important now because the recently enacted Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”

(Pam Trabert is shown with student nurse and retired U.S. Army Capt. Sarah Persinger of Charleston, W.Va. who selected WJU for her VA educational benefit.)

Chapter 33 of the Post 9/11 GI Bill, referred to as Yellow Ribbon, offers soldiers an education benefit if they served on active duty for an aggregate of 90 days or more on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Yellow Ribbon allows United States institutions of higher learning to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. Institutions then contribute up to 50 percent of those expenses and VA pays a matching amount.

Since WJU agrees to cover up to half the tuition and fee charges that are not covered under the standard veterans benefit arrangement and the VA matches each additional dollar funded by the university, undergraduates may receive free tuition if qualified. Only veterans entitled to the 100 percent benefit rate (based on service requirements) receive this funding.

Veterans participating in the Yellow Ribbon program can also choose to transfer benefits to family members once they apply and receive their Certificate of Eligibility (CEO).

Dependents' Education Assistance Program offers educational assistance to dependents of veterans with permanent and total service-connected disability or whose death was service-connected. They must apply with the VA for eligibility, before the process begins.

Vocational Rehabilitation students are also eligible for the dependents assistance program. These students must see their vocational rehab representative office to take advantage of this benefit.

The Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve program is available if a student is a member of the Selected Reserve, which includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard reserves, and the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Soldiers apply for this through their unit.

Other veteran programs at Wheeling Jesuit include the Troops to Teachers plan, for discharged veterans who want to earn a degree in professional education. This popular program helps soldiers get teaching licenses and has been offered since 1994.

Another attractive adult program is the BOLD program for degree completion, where non-traditional students finish in as little as 15 months, earning the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Development. The companion degree the MSOL (Master of Science of Organizational Leadership) is another option for those seeking an advanced degree in a short span of time.

Veterans may also find Wheeling Jesuit’s newest accelerated nursing degree a good fit for their career plans since the program allows students who already have a four-year degree but now want to become a nurse, to earn a BSN in as little as 18-months. The BA to BSN program allows veterans to make the most of the ongoing need for nurses in the workplace.

Graduate nursing programs are online at Wheeling Jesuit and are also good options for veterans who seek advanced degrees in nursing administration, nursing education or nurse practitioner fields. 15. I would put in there..for veterans who want to determine which benefit best fits their needs go to www.gibill.va.gov.

Veterans who want to determine which benefit best fits their needs can explore the options by visiting the Web site, www.gibill.va.gov.

Veterans must complete and submit the application form 22-1990 available online and then receive written notification explaining VA’s decision regarding eligibility for any benefit. The VA Certificate of Eligibility is needed to determine what benefit is appropriate for each particular veteran, who can then be certified at WJU.

Veterans should contact Pam Trabert in the WJU Registrar’s Office at 304-243-2279, once they’ve received their COE.