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University of Maine at Fort Kent

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Enrollment & Advancement Center • University of Maine at Fort Kent • 23 University Drive, Fort Kent, ME 04743

U.S. News designates UMFK as a "Best College for Veterans"

January 22, 2015

Note: this is an archived news release. As such, the information provided may no longer apply.

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In its 2015 rankings for United States colleges, the U.S. News and World Report points out the University of Maine at Fort Kent as the 12th top ranked school in the north region of the United States. Only 311 schools qualified for consideration nationwide.

According to the report, UMFK is one of the top-ranked schools that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members apply for, pay for, and complete their degrees.

Last year, the premiere magazine for returning military personnel, G.I. Jobs, awarded the designation of Military Friendly School to UMFK. The latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report underscores the university's commitment to help our nation's service personnel transition to civilian life.

President Wilson Hess said, “UMFK has many veterans who return home and find a welcome reception on our campus. We also have students attending online while they are serving tours of duty in the Middle East and on other active duty assignments around the world”

Hess is a military historian, and he said he understands the importance of welcoming veterans home. He describes UMFK's role in the transition from military to civilian life as an “honor, a privilege and an obligation.”

He said, “Our faculty and staff work with diligence and enthusiasm to make an academic experience a valuable opportunity for our military veterans."

Veteran Certifying Official, Mark Schenk says, “The small class sizes and personal one-on-one interaction between students and faculty are key elements in helping veterans move forward after their stint in the military. An education at UMFK can be a stepping stone to success for armed forces personnel and their families who are seeking certifications, degrees or simply wanting to pause to consider their options before plunging into civilian life.”

All veterans seeking VA funding can receive help to complete the Veterans Request for Certification (from Schenk in the Registrar's Office) prior to the beginning of each term.

UMFK is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium and the federal government has certified the university for the GI Bill®. The northern Maine university is a public institution that charges in-state tuition, which the GI Bill® can cover completely, to all veterans applying from out of state.

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 Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.