MARQUETTE, Mich.—Northern Michigan University is on the list of 2012 Military-Friendly Schools released by G.I. Jobs. The designation honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools “that are doing the most to embrace America's service members and veterans as students.” This is Northern’s third straight appearance on the annual list.

            NMU enrolls about 221 students who are eligible to receive veterans’ benefits. Of those, 119 are eligible for the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers the in-state tuition rate for those who actively served in the military since Sept. 11, 2001. To help the 10 non-resident students who also qualify for the program, but pay higher out-of-state tuition, NMU has signed a Yellow Ribbon Program agreement with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The university and VA each cover an additional $1,100 per year—$2,200 total—to reduce costs for non-Michigan residents who choose NMU.

The 2012 Military-Friendly Schools list was compiled through research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide, according to a press release from the publication. Criteria included academics, financial benefits, flexibility and military support. The publication cited NMU for, among other benefits, its status as a VA-approved institution that gives American Council on Education credit for military training and experience, its ROTC program and its membership in the Servicemembers Opportunity College consortium.

G.I. Jobs is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business that also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines.