09-04-2025
UAFS earns silver designation as 2025-26 Military Friendly School
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith (UAFS) announces it has earned a silver designation as a 2025-26 Military Friendly School on April 8.
To earn the Military Friendly School designation, academic institutions must be evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.
'Military Friendly is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process,' VP of Military Friendly Kayla Lopez said. 'Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community.'
UAFS competed against more than 1,800 academic institution participants in the 2025-26 survey. Lopez said, 'Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.'
University of Arkansas, UAFS among schools receiving combined $27M in HIRED program grants
Final ratings are determined by combining the institution's survey score with the assessment of the institution's capability in meeting the standards below for all students:
Student Retention
Graduation
Job Placement
Loan Payment
Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer)
Loan Default Rates
'Being Military Friendly reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting service members, veterans and their families by providing opportunities, resources and a welcoming community,' financial aid advisor and VA certifying official for UAFS Heather Chance said. 'Those who have served deserve the best, and we take pride in creating an environment where they can thrive.'
All UAFS veteran students receive priority registration, connections to advisors specialized in veteran services, and full-time access to both VA vocational rehabilitation counselors and the UAFS Veteran Resource Center. Student veterans can also join the Student Veterans Organization for further support in achieving academic success and advocacy.
For those in need of additional resources, UAFS will be hosting the Veterans Resource Fair on April 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. No reservations are required.
For more information about UAFS' student veteran programs, visit its website.
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