Utah’s history of commitment to freedom and sacrifice runs deep. In fact, Utah’s National Guard was established in the 1840s when a group of churchgoers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known as the Mormons, coalesced as a militia group in Illinois. Five years later, when the group was abolished by the Illinois government, the Mormons were chased out by angry mobs and sought refuge in the West. Just eight days later, when the U.S. declared war on Mexico, the U.S. government agreed to support the Mormons if they would provide military assistance in the new Mexican-American War.
Now, centuries removed from frontier wars and even the threat of foreign war deployment,
veterans and service members can look toward the future and take this opportunity to capitalize on some well-earned military benefits – chief among them, access to a college education.
Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) Military Education Benefits
Utah has more to offer its service members than just federal programs like the GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon program. The first-line resource for military education benefits here is the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA). The UDVMA helps active service members, veterans, and dependents get access to college funding and coordinates military support with colleges statewide. Many public universities in Utah have on-campus veterans’ resource offices (VRO) that help connect you with the tuition assistance you’ve earned and support you in your transition from military service to college life. VROs also offer a slew of supportive programs, including peer mentoring and tutoring.
Here’s a look at the military education benefits you can get in Utah:
Tuition-Based Assistance Programs
In-state Tuition
If you’re an active-duty service member or veteran discharged within the last 12 months, you’ll receive in-state tuition rates at Utah public colleges and universities. No state residency requirement applies; if you’re stationed in Utah, you qualify for in-state tuition.
The Purple Heart Tuition Waiver
If you’re a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart, and also a Utah resident, you’re eligible for a complete tuition waiver at all Utah public colleges and universities. What’s unique about this program is that it waives tuition for all degree programs, even master’s degree programs, although the tuition cap for master’s degree programs is $10,000.
The Scott Lundell Military Survivors Tuition Waiver
This program applies to dependents of service members who died in active combat after September 11. Dependents who fit this category can get a complete tuition waiver for undergraduate programs at all Utah public colleges and universities, though the program doesn’t cover things like textbooks, fees, or housing.
The Veterans Tuition Gap Program
This state-funded grant is given to veterans when federal tuition benefits have been used up. It can be used at all public colleges and universities in Utah and covers tuition and fees, as well as textbooks.
Career-Support Programs
The Accelerated Credentialing to Employment (ACE) program is open to veterans, active service members, and actively drilling members of the Utah National Guard and Reserve. It focuses on utilizing your military training and experience to help you be more competitive in the civilian job market. With short-term training programs, the ACE program can help you work toward a certificate or professional license. The program is available to all branches of military service, and spouses are eligible, too. Benefits include:
State Tuition Waiver -
- Waives tuition at all Utah public colleges and universities if enrolled in a full-time degree program
- Applies to first associate or bachelor’s degree
- A short essay is required with application
- Cadets must have a signed memo from Professor of Military Science (PMS) to confirm not receiving any scholarships for tuition
- Waiver pays up to $250 per semester hour
- Cannot be combined with federal tuition assistance benefits
Credentialing Assistance (CA) –
- Pays up to $4,000 per year for eligible credentials
- Can be combined with federal tuition benefits, but combined funding cannot exceed $4,000 per year
- Credential doesn’t have to be related to your MOS; you can choose any credential on the Army COOL database
- Pays for traditional campus-based tuition, online course tuition, textbooks, exam fees, and recertification fees
Support Programs for Military Spouses and Dependents
For military spouses and dependents with a professional license, the Utah legislature has waived certain fees imposed by the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Initial professional licensing fees and license renewal fees are waived. Professional licenses can also be maintained in an inactive status, in which continuing education requirements and inactive license fees are waived. Military spouses based in Utah are also able to work under their professional license without having to obtain a Utah state license. It’s likely that many employers in Utah may not be aware of this benefit to military families, so the DOPL offers a verification letter that can be provided to the employer to explain this benefit.
Another great resource for military families is the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS), which provides employment assistance to veterans and spouses. The DWS provides access to statewide job postings and resume writing assistance, as well as the support of a veteran employment specialist.
Possible Station Assignments and Military Bases in Utah
If you’re a Utah native or from another state, it’s possible you’ll end up stationed here. It’s even more likely, though, that you’ll be sent somewhere you’ve never been before. It’s not easy being away from home or having to be ready to move at a moment’s notice, but that’s part of military service. If you’ve received PCS orders for Utah, you’ve landed in a great state with much to offer.
There are two military bases in Utah:
Air Force
- Hill Air Force Base (AFB)
Located in Northern Utah and spanning approximately 1,000,000 acres, Hill AFB is the United States’ second largest air force base and contributes $3 billion annually to Utah’s economy as the state’s largest single-site employer. Hill AFB is also home to the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) West Region Satellite, which operates a strategic partnership program with local military-friendly colleges and universities to help service members follow a degree path and obtain college credit. Nearby, you can spend family time enjoying the splash pad and dog park at Hill AFB Fam Camp, play some miniature golf and rock climb at the Rush Funplex in Syracuse, or take in some history by touring the 70 aircraft on display at Hill Aerospace Museum on base.
- Dugway Proving Ground
Situated in the desert region of Tooele County, Dugway Proving Ground was established as a chemical and biological weapons development and testing site in 1942 in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Since that time, Dugway has become the nation’s premier site for testing and creating battlefield-ready nuclear, biological, and chemical (BNC) weapons. If you’re stationed here, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Onaqui Mountains and take in nature’s beauty at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge.
Military Friendly Colleges in Utah 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 Utah:
Broadview College (formerly Broadview University)
West Jordan, UT
Accreditation: ACICS
- Veterinary technology
- Massage therapy
- Muscle activation techniques (MAT) education
Columbia College
Murray, UT
Accreditation: HLC
- Business Administration
- Computer & Mathematical Sciences
- Education
- History, Philosophy, Political Science & Criminal Justice
- Language & Communication Studies
- Nursing
- Physical and Biological Sciences
- Psychology, Sociology & Human Services
- Visual Arts & Music
Devry University
Sandy, UT
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
Neumont College of Computer Science
South Jordan, UT
Accreditation: ACCSC
- BSCS Computer Science
- BSSE Software Engineering
- BSGD Game Development
- BSIS Information Systems
- BSTM Technology Management
- BSWD Web Development
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT
Accreditation: NWCCU
- Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education & Human Development
- College of Engineering & Computational Sciences
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Humanities & Social Sciences
- College of Performing & Visual Arts
- Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Sciences
- Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business
- Gerald R. Sherratt Library
University of Phoenix
Murray, UT
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
Utah State University
Blanding / Brigham City / Logan / Tooele / Vernal, UT
Accreditation: NWCCU
- School of Graduate Studies
- College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
- Caine College of the Arts
- Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
- Emma Eccles Jones College of Education & Human Services
- College of Engineering
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
- College of Science
Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University)
Saint George, UT
Accreditation: NWCCU
- College of the Arts
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science Engineering and Technology
- University College
Webster University
Hill AFB, UT
Accreditation: HLC
Undergraduate:
- Biology
- Business
- Computer Science
- Education
- International Relations
- Mathematics
- Management
- Media Communications
- Nursing
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
Graduate:
- 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
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation: NWCCU
- Teachers College
- College of Business
- College of Information Technology
- College of Health Professions
Westminster College
Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation: NWCCU
- Liberal Education
- School of Arts and Sciences
- Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business
- School of Education
- School of Nursing and Health Sciences
