UCF continues to be recognized for excellence in serving its military and veteran students. The university has earned the Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation for the 2024-25 academic year from the State University System of Florida.
The Collegiate Purple Star honors colleges that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military and veteran students and their families. Once awarded, the designation remains active for three academic years.
There are about 3,100 military and veteran students at UCF, and we provide a comprehensive array of services tailored to their needs. This includes dedicated resources such as the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success, and the Military and Veteran Success Center, aimed at supporting their academic, career and personal success.
In February, UCF ranked No. 5 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report. In the same month, Knight Nation ranked No. 11 on College Consensus’ 2024 Best Online Colleges for Veterans list.
Among the commitments UCF upholds that have received recognition from the Purple Star Campus honor are:
- A transition program to assist military and veteran students integrate into campus life, which includes veteran transfer orientation sessions.
- Professional development training opportunities, including Green Zone training for faculty, staff and students. The Office of Military and Veteran Student Success also offers tailored training packages to the Office of Financial Aid, Student Services, and other UCF departments to equip staff with the insights and knowledge necessary for working with military and veteran students utilizing veteran educational benefits.
- Priority course registration for military and veteran students.
- Hosting annual recognition and awareness events, including open houses, Flag Days, Military Appreciation Games, , veteran community resource fairs, veteran career and internship fairs, and Veterans Graduation Stole Ceremonies.
- Partnering with a college or career center liaison officer from a military installation. This includes the Military Student Career program, which provides resume critiques, networking and job search strategies, insight from military professionals who have transitioned to civilian careers and connecting with employers.
- Continuing their service through the Soldiers to Scholars (SLS) program. Through SLS, student-veterans serve as mentors and safely escort school children to and from the Metro Place apartment community to Eagle’s Nest Elementary School. Additionally, these mentors facilitate after-school programs aimed at enhancing academic performance and organize special events tailored to the needs of these young students.
In recent years, UCF has consistently received recognition for its commitment, effort, and success in creating holistic, sustainable and meaningful support for the military and veteran student community on campus. U.S. News & World Reportranked UCF among the nation’s Best Colleges for Veteran in its 2024 undergraduate list. In 2022, UCF received the Purple Heart Designation from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The university also received the Silver Award on the 2022-23 Military Friendly Schools list.
