GUARD-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Developed by the VNGA, the Guard-Friendly School Program is designed to recognize colleges, universities and trade schools that meet or exceed ten baseline criteria that create a supportive learning environment to assist members of the Virginia National Guard pursuing post-secondary education.

Receive Designation

Schools earning the Guard-Friendly School Designation were evaluated using ten baseline criteria that measures a school’s social and material investment in support of the Virginia National Guard community. 

Improve Student Performance

Demonstrated efforts to improve the lives of Virginia National Guard students by offering complementary policies to protect Guardsmen.

Build Connections

Connect with local Soldiers and Airmen committed to improving themselves while also serving their communities.

Apply to become a Guard-Friendly School!

Why Guard-Friendly Matters

The Guard-Friendly School designation serves as a beacon and star-rating that promotes the institution to members and veterans of the Virginia National Guard, their spouses and families, as well as to local and state leaders, high school and college counselors, citizens and prospective recruits of the Virginia National Guard.

To help optimize taxpayer dollars and increase the positive impacts of the Federal and State Tuition Assistance Programs, the VNGA started soliciting input from Guard-Students who experienced conflicts with their school, colleges, universities, trade, certification and training schools. The VNGA discovered many examples of inflexible, intolerant, unfair or ignorant practices against members of the Guard.

Additionally, some of the Guard-Students shared positive experiences. Experiences where the schools promoted and championed their relationships with military and veterans students.

By crafting those positive and negative experiences into standards, the VNGA hopes to improve the Guard-Student education experience.

Year Established

Virginia Schools

Visit our Guard-Friendly Schools

The Virginia National Guard Association, Inc.

Post Office Box 37037
Richmond, Virginia 23234

(804) 223-1332
contact@vnga.us