University of Montana Excels in Supporting Military Veterans’ Education

The University of Montana ranks among the top Military Friendly colleges, enhancing veteran education opportunities.

UM earned recognition as a top Military Friendly school and placed in the top 10 for Military Spouse Friendly institutions, reflecting its commitment to veterans’ support. This status may reflect evolving veteran education access and institutional support.

David Ley, a U.S. Army veteran with nine years of service including two tours in Afghanistan, credits UM’s Military and Veteran Services Office and the strong veteran community for his successful transition and education. Ley began at UM in 2018, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2022, and is slated to complete law school a semester early this semester. The 2021 policy change allowing veterans to combine GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation benefits has been pivotal for his debt-free education. Ley also leads Missoula’s Ole Beck VFW Post 209 in transforming the recently closed building into a veteran gym and resource center, focusing on social determinants of health through fitness and support.

Ley is slated to graduate from UM’s law school this semester, reflecting his academic journey supported by evolving veteran education policies.

Montana’s rural character and dispersed veteran population could heighten the value of centralized veteran resources like UM’s Military and Veteran Services Office and the new VFW gym. These institutions might serve as critical hubs for veterans navigating education benefits and community reintegration in a state where access to specialized services is often challenging.

More Than a Ranking: Military-Friendly UM Helps Veterans Find the Next Mission
By Abigail Lauten-Scrivner, University of Montana