Arizona has it all: multi-climate and terrain training environments, vast expanses of desert perfect for flight school and ordinance testing, remote locations ideal for evaluating wireless communication and radar, and a warm climate that’s ideal for munitions and machinery storage. It’s no wonder that it’s home to the world’s largest combat fighter wing and the largest aircraft storage facility on the planet, nicknamed the boneyard.
Arizona has a long history of being an indispensable component of America’s military might and pride, with six-term Senator and one-time presidential hopeful John McCain calling it home. Having survived capture and imprisonment as a POW in Vietnam decades before his political career, McCain came to symbolize the link between Arizona’s elected public officials and the state’s military community. The veteran advocacy work he did during his tenure in office helped improve the benefits package offered to servicemembers and their families.
Whether you’re going to college before service in preparation for becoming an officer candidate or taking advantage of the GI Bill® to pave the way for a bright future as you transition back to civilian life, Arizona has the supports in place to help you or your family earn an undergraduate or graduate degree. You’ve earned those benefits through service to your country. Now it’s time to take full advantage of your educational opportunities.
Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (AZDVS) Military Education Benefits
The AZDVS exists to connect discharged, active duty, and veteran family members with local resources in Arizona. Chief among these is providing access to a college education, a mission that the AZDVS and its team of more than 40 dedicated Veteran Benefits Counselors take very seriously.
The AZDVS regularly reviews every institution in the state that accepts GI Bill® benefits to ensure they follow state and federal guidelines to the letter. In Arizona, any school or training site accepting GI Bill® funding must have a stamp of approval from the AZDVS’ State Approving Agency (SAA).
SAA-approved places of learning in Arizona include:
- On-the-job training programs
- Apprenticeships
- Flight schools
- Accredited colleges and universities that grant degrees
- Institutions that grant certificates, even if they are not accredited by a program affiliated with the US Department of Education
Additionally, the AZDVS goes beyond just approving GI Bill®-worthy schools; it also works to identify colleges and universities it recognizes as providing a Veteran Supportive Campus (VSC). SAA approved VSCs are recognized as schools that connect with the needs of veterans and their families.
The AZDVS recognizes 37 schools in the state as fostering a climate and culture worthy of the VSC designzation:
- Does the school meet veteran-specific needs?
- Are there veterans’ organizations on-campus or counselors to help students transition to academia and take full advantage of their military education benefits?
- Camaraderie: is there a relatively high ratio of veterans at the school, and does the school have a good retention and graduation rate for these veterans?
- Are school staff and faculty aware of and sensitive to issues faced by veterans?
- Does the school have outreach programs that try to attract veterans, and to connect veterans with community-based programs?
While the AZDVS maintains strict standards of quality control, Arizona also offers education perks for qualifying veterans. The AZDVS can help you navigate these, in addition to serving as a local representative to help you maximize your federal benefits like the GI Bill®, Top-Up Program, and Yellow Ribbon Program.
Tuition Waiver for Wounded Veterans and Gold Star Families
Covering all tuition expenses for an undergraduate degree in any field, you can apply for this scholarship at any of the currently-20-participating online and on-campus public schools in Arizona. If you’ve sacrificed your physical well-being Arizona wants to commend your service with this benefit to underwrite a successful future for you and yours. This starts with an undergraduate education, and this program gives you the flexibility to study in any field you like for an associate and/or bachelor’s degree.
To qualify for this benefit, you must meet all of the following:
- Have received a Purple Heart
- Be a resident of Arizona or have been stationed in Arizona at the time of your injury
- Be at least 50% disabled; if you’re less than 50% you may still qualify; talk with an AZDVS representative for more details
Gold star families –spouses and dependent children– can also qualify, as can current Arizona National Guard (AZNG) members who received a Purple Heart after 9/11/2001, and former AZNG members who were medically discharged due to an on-the-job injury.
In-State Tuition for Veterans and Their Families
In 2015 Arizona passed legislation giving veterans, their dependents, and their spouses the option to pay in-state tuition at Arizona schools. To be eligible you must be a veteran or family member thereof who is living in Arizona, who was discharged in the past 36 months from a period of active duty that was at least 90 days. You also need to be in the process of using your Montgomery GI Bill® or Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
Paying in-state tuition opens up a whole new range of affordable educational options in Arizona, where the average annual difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for a bachelor’s degrees at public military friendly colleges is approximately $29k. That works out to an average savings of nearly $115.7k for a four-year degree; savings that you can either pocket or apply as unused educational benefits towards further education.
As a bonus, if you’ve been accepted to any public or private college in Arizona but have not yet applied for any veteran educational benefits, you can defer your payment for tuition, fees, and books with no interest for 120 days. This should give you enough time to get your benefits worked out, and if it doesn’t you can apply for an extension of your deferment.
Tuition Reimbursement for Arizona National Guard (AZNG)
The State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) benefit is available for AZNG members who fulfill these requirements:
- Have been actively drilling with the AZNG during the school semester.
- Have maintained at least a C average or equivalent for each school course.
- Have attended a college, university, or vocational school and completed at least one semester or equivalent of full or part-time study towards earning an undergraduate degree, graduate degree, or certificate.
- Have completed Initial Active Duty Training (IADT)/Technical Training and Student Flight, and have maintained at least a 90% attendance rate at Unit Training Assemblies (UTAs) during your school semester.
If you’re approved your tuition will be reimbursed. You make an application for this benefit with the Education Services Office (ESO) of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.
While this benefit isn’t guaranteed it’s a nice bonus that will reimburse you for tuition you’ve already paid, if your application is successful. It’s another way Arizona can say thanks to those who serve.
Possible Station Assignments and Military Bases in Arizona
Arizona is a beautiful state with diverse people and breathtaking natural wonders; it’s a great place to be stationed. Some military education benefits open up as soon as your duties bring you to the Grand Canyon State, even if you’re from somewhere else. Arizona is proud to host the following bases:
Army
- Camp Navajo – Bellmont
Located in Southwest Arizona just 15 miles north of Mexico, this fort was first established as a frontier post in 1877. Today the it’s the largest employer in the county and the most significant contributor in Arizona economically. It’s a hub of electronics and wireless communication, where devices are developed and tested over a range of 2,500 electronically-protected miles. This includes drone communications and flight training which is conducted over 946 square miles of surrounding protected airspace. Among other points of distinction, the fort is home to the US Army Intelligence Center of Excellence.
- Fort Huachuca – Sierra Vista
Located in Southwest Arizona just 15 miles north of Mexico, this fort was first established as a frontier post in 1877. Today the it’s the largest employer in the county and the most significant contributor in Arizona economically. It’s a hub of electronics and wireless communication, where devices are developed and tested over a range of 2,500 electronically-protected miles. This includes drone communications and flight training which is conducted over 946 square miles of surrounding protected airspace. Among other points of distinction, the fort is home to the US Army Intelligence Center of Excellence.
- Yuma Proving Ground – Sonoran Desert
More than 2,000 miles of restricted airspace overlaps this 1,000-plus square mile base, a necessary precaution considering nearly all ground combat weapons are tested here. The amount of missile, mortar, and artillery rounds fired every year tops over half a million. Airdrop systems, tactical vehicles, and UAV systems also see action over the vast expanse of the Sonoran Desert.
Air Force
- Davis Monthan AFB – Tucson
The 56th Fighter Wing, the largest in the USAF (and world), calls Luke AFB home. As masters of fifth generation air power, this unit is responsible for training fully three-quarters of the world’s F-35 pilots, including those hailing from NATO allies and Singapore. Every year Luke AFB graduates 400 pilots and 300 air control professionals. You can find at least two college satellite locations on base to help the wider military community get the education they need for the jobs of tomorrow.
- 12th Air Force
- 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group
- 55th Electronic Combat Group
- 214th Attack Group of the Arizona Air National Guard
- 943rd Rescue Group (USAF Reserve)
- Customs and Border Protection
The 56th Fighter Wing, the largest in the USAF (and world), calls Luke AFB home. As masters of fifth generation air power, this unit is responsible for training fully three-quarters of the world’s F-35 pilots, including those hailing from NATO allies and Singapore. Every year Luke AFB graduates 400 pilots and 300 air control professionals. You can find at least two college satellite locations on base to help the wider military community get the education they need for the jobs of tomorrow.
- Luke AFB – Glendale
The 56th Fighter Wing, the largest in the USAF (and world), calls Luke AFB home. As masters of fifth generation air power, this unit is responsible for training fully three-quarters of the world’s F-35 pilots, including those hailing from NATO allies and Singapore. Every year Luke AFB graduates 400 pilots and 300 air control professionals. You can find at least two college satellite locations on base to help the wider military community get the education they need for the jobs of tomorrow.
Marines
- Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma – Yuma
4,000 active duty marines and sailors call this aviation training base home, where 80% of the Corps’ air-to-ground training takes place. Each year around 600 aircraft and 14,000 personnel cycle through as part of the 70 aviation units that use this facility for vital practice. In addition to training, this station’s five square miles offer activities like water sports, fishing, and hunting.
Military Friendly Colleges in Arizona that Accept GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program Benefits
Of the more-than 2,000 colleges and universities that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, only around 500 provide full funding and place no limits on the number of eligible students who can take advantage of it. These schools ensure that every eligible veteran who enrolls can count on full coverage of all tuition costs that exceed GI Bill® limits.
You’ll be glad to know that a number of those military friendly colleges and universities are located right here in Arizona:
Arizona Christian University
Phoenix
Accreditation: HLC
Associate Degrees:
- Biblical and Theological
- General Studies
- Studies Early Childhood Education
Bachelor’s Degrees:
- Behavioral Health
- Behavioral Health – Concentration in Coaching
- Behavioral Health – Concentration in Counseling
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Biblical and Theological Studies – Concentration in Biblical Languages
- Biblical and Theological Studies – Concentration in Theology
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Business Administration – Concentration in Entrepreneurship
- Business Administration – Concentration in Management
- Business Administration – Concentration in Marketing
- Child Development
- Christian Ministries
- Communication
- Elementary Education
- Elementary Education – Emphasis in Coaching
- Elementary Education – Emphasis in Early Childhood
- Family Studies – Concentration in Early Childhood
- Family Studies – Concentration in Marriage & Family, Interdisciplinary Studies
- Music
- Music – Concentration in Music Composition and Theory
- Music – Concentration in Music Education and Pedagogy
- Music – Concentration in Music Ministry
- Music – Concentration in Music Technology
- Music – Concentration in Worship
- Non-Profit Management
- Organizational Leadership
- Political Economy
- Political Science
Political Science – Concentration in Criminal Justice - Psychology
- Psychology – Concentration in Sport Psychology
- Secondary Education (Certified)
- Secondary Education (Non-Certified)
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in Business
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in Coaching (Certified)
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in Coaching (Non-Certified)
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in English Language Arts
Secondary Education – Emphasis in History - Secondary Education – Emphasis in Mathematics
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in Physical Education
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in Political Science
- Secondary Education – Emphasis in Science
Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- General Education
- Arts Humanities & Communication
- Business & Computers
- Education
- Healthcare & Public Safety
Science Agriculture - Engineering & Math
- Social & Behavioral Sciences
- Technology Trades & Food Science
Benedictine University
Mesa, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
Undergraduate:
- Accounting (B.B.A.)
- Adult On-Campus
- Arizona Catholic Studies (Minor)
- Communication Arts (B.A.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Criminal Justice (B.A.)
- Graphic Arts and Design (B.A.)
- Health Education and Promotion (B.A.)
- Management and Organizational Behavior (B.B.A.)
- Nutrition (B.S.)
- Political Science (B.A.)
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Spanish (B.A.)
- Studio Art (B.A.)
- Theology (B.A.)
Graduate:
- College of Business
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Phoenix, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
College of Nursing
College of Health Professions
Devry University
Glendale / Mesa / Phoenix, AZ
Keller Graduate School Of Management Phoenix
Accreditation: HLC
Associate Degrees
- Technology
- Engineering
- IT and Networking
- Network Systems Administration
- Business
- Healthcare
Bachelor's Degrees
- Business
- Computer Information Systems
- Healthcare Administration
- Accounting
- Liberal Arts
- Media Arts
Undergrad Certificates
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Business Essentials
- Cloud Computing
- IoT
- Technology
- Media Arts
Master's Degrees
- MBA
- Accounting
- Project Management
- Technology
- Business
- Healthcare
- Public Administration
- Human Resource Management
Graduate Certificates
- Human Resources Management
- Project Management
- Healthcare
- CPA Preparation
- Big Data and Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Supply Chain Management
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- Arts and Letters
- Education
- Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences
- Environment, Forestry, and Natural Science
- Graduate College
- Health and Human Services
- Honors College
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- W. A. Franke College of Business
Phoenix Seminary
Phoenix, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- Doctor of Ministry
- Master of Theology
- Master of Divinity
- Master of Arts in Ministry
- Master of Arts Biblical and Theological Studies
- Graduate Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- Arts, Humanities & Communication
- Business, Information Systems & Hospitality
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Industry, Manufacturing & Construction
- Public Safety
- Social, Behavioral Sciences & Human Services
- STEM
- Other Programs
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
Bachelor’s Degrees
- adventure education
- arts and humanities
- arts and letters
- social justice studies
- education
- environmental studies
- interdisciplinary studies
- psychology and human development
- sustainable community development
- sustainability management
Graduate Degrees
- outdoor education leadership
- counseling
- critical psychology and human services
- education
- education – emphasis in environmental education
- environmental studies
- resilient and sustainable communities
- social justice and community organizing
- sustainable food systems
- sustainability leadership
- sustainability education
- social and environmental arts practice
- MBA and sustainable food systems dual degree
- interdisciplinary studies
Trident University International
Chandler, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- College of Education
- College of Health and Human Services
- Glenn R. Jones College of Business
- Department of Information Systems
University of Phoenix
Tempe / Phoenix (online) / Tucson, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Healthcare
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Behavioral Sciences
- Liberal Arts
- Technology
- RN to BSN
- MBA
- Health Administration
Information Systems - Criminal Justice and Security
- Business Fundamentals
Webster University
Litchfield Park, AZ
Accreditation: HLC
- Advertising and Marketing Communications
- Counseling
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Education
- Educational Leadership
- Health Administration
- Human Resources Development
- National Security Studies
- Management & Leadership
- Marketing
- MBA
- Media Communications
- Nurse Anesthesia Practice
- Procurement and Acquisitions Management
