Because of convenience and lack of education funding, the reality is many veterans today are receiving sub-standard college degrees.

Starting August 1, 2009 this approach to education will change. Armed with two times more tuition benefits and increases in resources available outside the classroom, veterans and their families will be able to use the New Post-9/11 GI Bill to improve the quality of education they receive.

Veterans must also change how they evaluate college degrees and the universities they plan to attend. Terms such as "military-friendly schools" will no longer apply or have real meaning.

Veterans should measure universities on factors such as reputation, selectivity of admissions, student diversity, state investment and endowment funding, retention and 4-year graduation rates, and employment demand.

Along with these factors, veterans must assign value to policies and student services they will receive. Request the following data on universities before applying to the best schools:

• Size, growth and tradition of military enrollments.
• Availability, and amount, of military scholarships awarded.
• Participation levels with VA as a Yellow Ribbon School (part of the New GI Bill).
• A student veterans' group, veterans' alumni program or military mentor network.
• Campus housing for veterans and their families.
• Working relationships with military and veterans' associations, and goverment agencies.
• Other policies designed for veterans such as:
  • dedicated resources in the areas of transition services, counseling and advising.
  • academic credit offered for military experience.
  • application fees waived for veterans.
  • flexible class schedules.
  • priority enrollment in courses.
  • course resumption or degree program continuation.
  • special orientations.
  • student support web pages or web sites.

By using these criteria to evaluate the best schools you will find one that offers the highest-quality education to help you succeed.