By: Adriana Rangel


UM has been designated as a Military Friendly School for the third year in a row. The university came in at number 7 in the small public school category.

“To be ranked seventh amongst the nation’s small schools is a huge recognition for all of the work the University of Montevallo has done to welcome veterans and their dependents to the UM family and acknowledge their value to our campus community.” said Traci Crenshaw, director of Military and Veteran Affairs.

“For many, it is their home away from home. Our campus Veteran Center is only five years old, so our mission is to continue to work hard for our military-related students to ensure they know they belong at Montevallo.”

Military Friendly Schools focus on military opportunities provided by higher education. 

Over 1,800 schools participated in the 2023-2024 survey. Less than half of those received recognition.

To determine which schools will earn a Military Friendly designation, they evaluate public data sources and responses from an annual survey.

To be considered a Military Friendly School, institutions must have three or more of federal programs in operation such as Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA) Funding, official commitment to the Eight Keys to Veterans’ Success, or a Federal Financial Aid Shopping Sheet.


There is also research done to see if the institution has any federal precautionary flags against them. These flags include items such as the number of veteran student complaints or if the institution’s federal programs have not been suspended.

To learn more about UM Veteran and Military Affairs, visit their website.