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group poses in front of Karon Veterans Resource Center

Veterans Resources

The University of St. Thomas salutes veterans and military-affiliated families as we work to be the most military-friendly university in the Upper Midwest. While here, veterans get the resources they need to succeed academically — and the career support needed to thrive after graduation.

With features unique to our size and mission, the University of St. Thomas helps you maximize your education benefits. You'll have small classes where professors know your name (and make one-on-one time for you), more than 150 majors to choose from, plus many opportunities for internships and career mentorships.

Distinctions and Rankings

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Best for Vets Military Times Award

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U.S. Veteran Best of the Best 2021 Award

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2024-25 Military Friendly(R) School

Funding Your Education

  • Yellow Ribbon School
  • Stipend & Allowances
  • Military Educational Benefits
  • College Credit from Military Experience
  • Complete your FAFSA

    • Yellow Ribbon School

    Yellow Ribbon logoSt. Thomas is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, working to make your education more affordable.

    Students eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate will receiving enough funding between the VA and St. Thomas to cover their full tuition and fees for fall and spring semesters.

    Read more about Available Military Benefits at St. Thomas

    For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments. For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form.

    Stipend & Allowances

    Students will also receive a monthly housing stipend ($1,926/month) in addition to a $1,000 book and supplies allowance.

    Contact Amanda Cantú for more information: amanda.cantu@stthomas.edu ;or 651-962-6555.

    Military Educational Benefits

    There are several varieties of GI Bill. Let us help you determine which type of education benefit is right for you.

    College Credit from Military Experience

    Your military experience may be worth college credit. You can find official military transcripts at *

    *Note: Must either use Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers

    Complete your FAFSA

    Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans, should fill out the .

    Yellow Ribbon School

    Yellow Ribbon School

    Yellow Ribbon logoSt. Thomas is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program, working to make your education more affordable.

    Students eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill at the 100% rate will receiving enough funding between the VA and St. Thomas to cover their full tuition and fees for fall and spring semesters.

    Read more about Available Military Benefits at St. Thomas

    For Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Ch 33) students and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch 31) students, our tuition policy complies with 38 USC 3679(e) which means Post 9/11 and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment students will not be charged or otherwise penalized due to a delay in VA tuition and fee payments. For eligibility consideration, a Post 9/11 GI Bill student must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Student must provide a VAF 28-1905 form.

    Stipend & Allowances

    Stipend & Allowances

    Students will also receive a monthly housing stipend ($1,926/month) in addition to a $1,000 book and supplies allowance.

    Contact Amanda Cantú for more information: amanda.cantu@stthomas.edu ;or 651-962-6555.

    Military Educational Benefits

    Military Educational Benefits

    There are several varieties of GI Bill. Let us help you determine which type of education benefit is right for you.

    College Credit from Military Experience

    College Credit from Military Experience

    Your military experience may be worth college credit. You can find official military transcripts at *

    *Note: Must either use Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers

    Complete your FAFSA

    Complete your FAFSA

    Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans, should fill out the .

    Resources Just for You

    What is STVA?

    The STVA is a military-veteran organization that allows members to network through events, meetings, and community service. The STVA provides a link for the St. Thomas community to gain insight into the experiences and needs of today's military-veteran student.

    *It is not the intent of the University of St. Thomas to imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    Dedication to Camaraderie

    The STVA works to reconnect transitioning veterans with one another through networking, service, and causal events. Our aim is to help you rebuild that by offering events and a shared space where you can surround yourself with like-minded individuals that share common experiences. Examples include:

    • Networking happy hours at local restaurants
    • Yearly Christmas party open to our members and their families
    • End of semester party

    Community Outreach

    Every semester the STVA is required to complete a community service event that thoughtfully engages the community and helps provide for the common good. Being a veteran-oriented organization, we partner with organizations that give back to the veteran community. Doing this allows us to connect with older veterans from previous generations and learn from their experiences. Earlier organizations we have partnered with include:

    • Band of Brothers Outdoors
    • MN Veterans Home
    • Team Red White and Blue

    Contact the STVA: Email the St. Thomas Veterans Association

    The Paul and Sarah Karon Veteran's Resource Center is a state-of-the-art center designed to benefit academic and informational support. The center also serves as an area for student veterans to relax, study quietly, or meet and network with fellow veterans on campus.

    The ultimate goal of the from the MNDVA is to empower veterans to create and maintain a network to assist in their lives. St. Thomas wants to help you be successful.

    You have access to primary care and other needed medical supports. Connecting to VA Care will serve as health care under the Affordable Health Care Act meaning you will not need to purchase healthcare coverage. VA care limits your liability for out-of-pocket expenses and there are VA Health Care professionals that understand the needs of returning service members.

    If you are an incoming undergraduate veteran student, you will be invited to participate in a one-day orientation for first-year students or a half-day orientation for transfer students.

    These orientation events offer resources fairs, new and current student, staff and faculty meet and greets, and opportunities for parents, spouses, and guests to interact. If you prefer a one-on-one meeting, please contact the Dean of Students Office; be sure to state that you are a benefits eligible veteran and whether you are a first-year or transfer student.

    St. Thomas values opportunities to work with student veterans and their families throughout their University experience. St. Thomas' goal is to create a partnership that enhances our students' success. If you have questions or seek direction regarding support for a veteran student call 651-962-6335.

    A Network of Support

    From networking, social events and community outreach to partnerships with veteran-specific specialists, professors and staff, St. Thomas values opportunities to work with you and your family throughout your university experience.

    • three men sitting around table talking

      "Every veteran has a story worth telling," is a line you'll hear from Norman Ferguson Jr., the director of the Paul and Sarah Karon Veterans Resource Center at the University of St. Thomas. And he is no exception to that rule...

    • group of men and women smiling after graduation

      For the third year in a row, the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota received the Military Friendly School Gold Award. St. Thomas has been recognized as a Military Friendly School for seven consecutive years.

    • attendees of the annual veteran's ball

      Building Community

      We host events to help transitioning veterans reconnect, including networking, service activities, happy hours, and our annual Veterans Ball. Join a community of like-minded individuals with shared experiences.

    • veteran student smiling and laughing while relaxing in a student lounge

      On campus there is a state-of-the-art resource center designed to benefit academic and informational support. The center also serves as an area for student veterans to relax, study quietly, or meet and network with fellow veterans on campus.

    • veteran student wearing Navy sweatshirt lounging in an on campus cafe

      Malcolm Chisholm Hermans, EE '25, said, "It was only natural I chose St. Thomas as they offered both smaller class sizes than other universities and the ease of interacting with professors who are predominantly former industry leaders in their given fields."

    • girl sitting in chair smiling

      Taking Care of You

      Allison Kruse, USMC Veteran, said, "As an older student, the Veteran Resource Center (VRC) helped me connect with fellow vets and make lasting friendships. Seeing other veterans graduate shows me that it's possible for me too. The center's amenities, like the kitchen, computers, and study tables, have been incredibly helpful.

    • veteran student in uniform

      Sophie Woessner, EE '23, said she chose the University of St. Thomas "because of the small, tight community. The School of Engineering wants to see students succeed and they give us the tools to do so."

    • veteran student in uniform

      Scott Russell Porter, ME '22, saw St. Thomas as a great fit for himself. "Small class sizes, a highly rated engineering school, professors who are there for me and connections to an intership that I turned into a full-time job."

    Contacts for Student Veterans

    Related Links