Penn State World Campus has once again been designated a Guard-Friendly School by the Pennsylvania National Guard Association (PNGAS), recognizing its continued commitment to supporting the educational goals of the men and women in the Guard.
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years and has a comprehensive selection of more than 200 flexible online degree and certificate programs. It is the only fully online institution in Pennsylvania to receive this designation.
The PNGAS Guard-Friendly School designation is based on 10 criteria that identify institutions actively working to support Guard members in higher education. These include:
- acceptance of tuition assistance, Pennsylvania Education Assistance Program (EAP), and the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill®
- policies that protect academic standing and enrollment status during periods of military service
- faculty and staff training to support the unique needs of National Guard students
Penn State World Campus meets and exceeds these standards, offering a flexible and responsive learning environment tailored to the realities of military service.
Financial support for Guard members and families
Penn State World Campus provides education benefits and financial support to military learners like Pennsylvania National Guard members.
Pennsylvania National Guard members receive financial support toward their college tuition through the state’s Education Assistance Program. Their spouses and children can receive college financial support through the Pennsylvania Military Family Education Program (MFEP).
Penn State World Campus accepts EAP and MFEP funding, which provides a tuition benefit of $322 per credit.
Penn State World Campus offers a military-grant-in-aid program that makes it possible for service members and their spouses to save on undergraduate tuition.
The aid lowers the cost of tuition to $383 per credit, which is more than 40 percent off the tuition rate. For students using the Pennsylvania EAP, the out-of-pocket costs for tuition are further reduced.
Resources and services for military-affiliated students
Penn State World Campus provides a range of resources and services designed to support military students, including:
- a dedicated military support team with admissions and advising staff who understand the demands of military life
- a chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA) that fosters community and advocacy
- specialized academic support for students who are deployed, on active duty, or managing other service-related responsibilities
- application fee waivers for active-duty, guard, reservist, and veteran applicants who apply to associate and bachelor’s degrees
- priority course registration for veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, and National Guard members
Proud to serve the military community
Penn State World Campus remains committed to helping Pennsylvania National Guard members and members of the Armed Forces pursue their education goals.
To demonstrate this commitment, Penn State World Campus has partnered with several organizations, such as the USO and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).
Learn more about the affiliations with the military community that Penn State World Campus has made.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
