Alfred State Earns Silver for Supporting Military Students

Alfred State College in New York just received a silver ranking as a Military Friendly School, recognizing the college as a standout place for veterans and military families to continue their education.

The designation comes after a rigorous evaluation of over 3,200 schools nationwide. Military Friendly assessed everything from how colleges recruit veterans to how well they help them graduate and find careers afterward.

Alfred State earned recognition in two categories: small public schools and spouse-friendly institutions. That dual honor reflects the college's commitment to serving not just veterans, but their entire families.

So what makes Alfred State different? The college offers a dedicated veterans lounge where student vets can connect and decompress. They support Veterans United, an active campus club, and waive parking fees for student veterans, a small but meaningful financial break.

Academic achievement gets celebrated through SALUTE, a national honor society specifically for military-connected students. These aren't just perks on paper. They represent a genuine effort to ease one of life's toughest transitions.

"Working with this student population is very rewarding," said Joann Bloxsom, chair of the Veterans Advisory Committee. "We continue to try to add services to help the transition from military to student life as seamless and easy as possible."

The recognition matters beyond bragging rights. Veterans researching colleges can now easily identify Alfred State as a place that understands their unique challenges and has proven systems in place to help them succeed.

The Ripple Effect

When colleges get serious about supporting veterans, everyone wins. These students bring discipline, leadership experience, and diverse perspectives to campus. Their success stories inspire other veterans considering higher education, creating a positive cycle.

Alfred State will be featured in the 2026-2027 Guide to Military Friendly Schools in G.I. Jobs magazine, making it easier for service members nationwide to find the support they've earned. The college joins a select group of institutions proving that honoring military service means more than thank-you-for-your-service platitudes.

"Earning the Military Friendly designation is more than a badge of honor," said Kayla Lopez of Military Friendly. "It is a reflection of an institution's deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served."

For student veterans like Elizabeth Reed, a veterinary tech major at Alfred State, that commitment makes all the difference in building the next chapter of life after service.