Featured | NewsApril 03, 2025

UAFS Earns Silver Designation as a 2025-2026 Military-Friendly School

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith announced today that it has earned Silver designation as a 2025-2026 Military Friendly School.

Heather Chance, advisor and VA certifying official for UAFS, said the honor is not only about being recognized as a university but also highlights its responsibility to serve students.

“Being Military Friendly® reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting service members, veterans, and their families by providing opportunities, resources, and a welcoming community. Those who have served deserve the best, and we take pride in creating an environment where they can thrive,” Chance said.

UAFS supports student-veterans through a wide range of dedicated services, beginning with connecting them with advisors who specialize in veteran services. Throughout their time at UAFS, veteran students receive priority registration and access to a full-time VA vocational rehabilitation counselor and the UAFS Veteran Resource Center. These students can also join the Student Veterans Organization, which fosters advocacy and academic success.

“At UAFS, we take immense pride in supporting our veteran and military-affiliated students by providing resources and year-round events that honor their service and dedication,” Chance added, citing the upcoming Veterans Resource Fair, scheduled for April 9. The fair is “designed to bring essential resources directly to our students, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to succeed both in and out of the classroom.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard,” said Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Military Friendly.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey.

Viqtory determined methodology, criteria, and weightings with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

For more information about UAFS’s student veteran programs, visit https://uafs.edu/admissions/military-and-veterans/services.php. 

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About Military Friendly® Schools:

The Military Friendly Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria, and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Viqtory:

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

• Tags:
• Military Friendliness Report
• Military and Veterans