Fordham was the only university in New York City to make it to the top 50 of Military Times’ Best For Vets ranking. Falling under the G.I. Bill cap, having a relaxed residency and costing under $250 per credit are just some of the categories that make up the Best For Vets ranking.

The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional financial assistance to those in need over and above basic veterans benefits. The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill had, at a previous time, allowed veterans to receive financial assistance based on the highest public institution tuition in one’s respected state.

The Yellow Ribbon Program was created with the intention to supplement the veterans’ benefits that are available for education. Veterans who have served a full three-year commitment are eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program is optional; not all universities participate.

“There is a major dual benefit to being in school as a veteran on the G.I. Bill, financial security and not having to worry about student loans,” said Philip d’Afflisio, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’15 and former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and Counter Intelligence Agent for the Special Operations Command. “Fordham’s completely open Yellow Ribbon program was a huge deciding point,” d’Afflisio said.

When Congress cut the standard funding for veteran aid to $17,500, many universities reduced their participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Universities and colleges across the nation did not have the available funding to provide student veterans with more aid to make up for the reduction that Congress enacted in 2010. Fordham, however, did not reduce its participation.

In some states, such as New York, public institutions’ tuitions are high, which resulted in veterans receiving more aid than others that reside in different states. In 2010, Congress addressed the financial inequities that face student veterans. Instead of basing aid on a state-by-state basis, Congress created a standard level of aid that would stretch across the nation. The maximum amount of aid that a student veteran could apply for amounted to $17,500 by 2010. The $17,500 amount constituted a considerable reduction in some states, one of them being New York.

Michael Gillan, Ph.d, associate vice president and co-chair of the Fordham Vets Task Group said, “Fordham has not reduced funding or the number of students eligible for funding. The only restriction that Fordham has placed on its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, of course, is that the student vet needs to be admitted, but once admitted they can count on that support.”

Although the Best of Vets ranking demonstrated what separates Fordham’s commitment to veterans in comparison to other institutions, it is the simple word-of-mouth communication that has spread the good word about the veterans program at Fordham.

“The reason that we have done well and drawn vets to us is firstly because of the university’s reputation; secondly that we were out there early to make a strong commitment to the education of these young men and women when they were returning home; and thirdly simply that good old word-of-mouth,” Gillan said.

The FCLC campus has the highest number of student veterans in attendance in comparison to the Westchester and Rose Hill campuses. The high number of veterans at Lincoln Center can be attributed to the availability of the law school and graduate schools. In total, 264 veterans are attending Fordham as of the Fall 2012 enrollment year. The number of new veterans that are enrolled at Fordham for the Fall 2012 year is 38.

“I chose Fordham, as I am familiar with the academics of a Jesuit institute, their desire to teach and my desire to learn. I chose New York for the opportunity it presented for independence, education, and culture, as well as a short ride home to my parents,” d’Afflisio said. “The only setback is we have been to war many of us, we have seen the cold, hard face of reality. Unrelenting in miseries, we have survived, and now we are here, in a peaceful environment.”

As part of the Fordham Veterans Initiative, a Veterans Entry Adviser assists student veterans that are interested in applying to Fordham. The role of the entry adviser is to help prospective veterans smoothly apply to their desired program, whether at Rose Hill, Westchester or Lincoln Center. In the message from the Veterans Entry Adviser, Anne Kelly Treantafeles said, “We understand your commitment to service and want to help you and your family members earn a degree that will serve you well for the rest of your lives.”