Saint Rose Nationally Recognized for Service to Veterans, Receives $100,000 Gift

Once again, The College of Saint Rose has been nationally ranked for its service to veterans. The recognition comes just as the College has received a gift of $100,000 to provide financial support to veterans and active military personnel who pursue studies at Saint Rose.

For the eighth consecutive year, Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs and other publications for military personnel, has recognized Saint Rose as a “Military Friendly® School.” The College has been ranked No. 1 among “Gold Standard” private colleges with fewer than 10,000 students for the second year in a row.

Another publisher, Military Times, recently ranked Saint Rose No. 20 on the 2018 “Best for Vets: Colleges” list, rising 10 spots since last year. Saint Rose was the only Capital Region institution to be named to the listing of 140 four-year U.S. colleges and universities and one of only three schools in New York to make the top 50.

“Those who have given the United States their best, deserve our very best,” said Saint Rose President Carolyn J. Stefanco. “Our Veteran Center, a dedicated space for our veteran students and military family members and a Battle Buddy Center, offers a quiet place for study and the opportunity to connect with those who share similar experiences. Our director of veteran enrollment is a retired Army Colonel and three-time combat veteran, who understands the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life because he has walked that path himself. We are proud to see that these resources have provided needed support to our veteran students and military family members, and that our commitment to veterans at Saint Rose is among the best nationwide.”

To expand the College’s efforts to support veterans, the Massry family recently made a $100,000 gift to Saint Rose to provide financial support for veterans and active military personnel, bridging any gaps between their military benefits and tuition costs. The goal is that the Massry gift will spur another $100,000 in donations. Donors can call 518-454-5107 or visit www.strose.edu/giveagift  and click on “Massry Veteran Scholarship” to give.

“The College is grateful for the Massrys and their passionate support of our students and community through their gifts and their time,” Stefanco said. “We know this pledge, and those donations that follow in this campaign, will make a difference in the lives of many veterans and active military members as they seek new opportunities through higher education.”

The “Military Friendly® School” designation from Victory Media is based on surveys completed by colleges and universities, as well as veterans. The surveys cover academic policies and compliance, admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, financial aid and loan repayment, graduation and career outcomes, and military student support and retention. The rankings also factor in an analysis of key data.

The list by Military Times is selected using an extensive 150-question survey completed by colleges and universities, as well as statistics gathered from the U.S. departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Education. Saint Rose stood out for staff support, earning the maximum number of stars in the category, and achieved graduation and retention rates for veteran students that were even stronger than institutions that ranked higher on the list (93 percent and 96 percent respectively). To see the full rankings, visit www.militarytimes.com.