Penn College earns PNGAS ‘Guard-Friendly School’ designation

For the fifth consecutive year, Pennsylvania College of Technology has received “Guard-Friendly School” designation from an organization devoted to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

The Pennsylvania National Guard Associations – an advocacy group dedicated to the growth of the Pennsylvania National Guard and its service members, veterans and families – recently bestowed the honor.

Penn College has 165 veterans and currently serving military enrolled at the college. Fifty of those students are members of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

To be named a PNGAS Guard-Friendly School, institutions must meet or exceed 10 standards for creating a supportive learning environment for National Guard members pursuing postsecondary degrees.

“Along with navigating the rigors of student life at Penn College, our National Guard members have also taken on the challenge of serving their country,” said Chet Beaver, assistant director of student advocacy for veteran/military. “We owe it to them to have programming and services in place that help make their already busy lives as barrier-free as possible.”

Penn College services and benefits available to military and veterans include a designated point of contact for counseling needs and career services, a separate student processing procedure with assistance from veterans, in-state tuition cost, waiver of tuition deposit, outreach program for veteran-student families, and reduced fees at the Robert & Maureen Dunham Children’s Learning Center.

In addition, the college offers a military/veteran-specific first-year experience program, reduced tuition for those serving on active duty, and a central location to gather, collaborate and study: the Major General Fred F. Marty Veterans & Military Resource Center.

The college’s Army ROTC program enables students to prepare for military service as commissioned officers in the active U.S. Army or part-time duty in the Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Penn College was ranked No. 2 in the Best Colleges for Veterans-Regional Colleges North category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges rankings.

For more information on resources available to veterans and military at Penn College, email the Veterans & Military Resource Center.

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222 for more information.