CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa has long been recognized as a supportive, caring environment for military personnel, veterans and their families. For six years and counting, the university has been designated a Military Friendly® School, this year earning both Gold Status and the Military Friendly Spouse School distinctions.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard. 

“Our military-affiliated learners are a vital part of our campus at the University of Northern Iowa,” said Henry Korf, coordinator of Military & Veteran Student Services. “We want to do everything in our power to help them succeed, and the Military Friendly® School designation is proof that the methods we have in place are working.”

Military-affiliated students at UNI see the university’s support in many ways. UNI just held its annual PTSD Awareness & Suicide Prevention Conference, which attracts many military-affiliated learners. Military & Veteran Student Services offers numerous events throughout the semester for veterans, military students and their families.

UNI adheres to the American Council on Education’s military guidelines, allowing service members to earn college credits for courses and experiences they have taken in their branch of service. UNI also offers Green Zone Training to inform faculty, staff and students on the experience of military-affiliated learners and how they can best support them.

Like all UNI students, military-affiliated students are able to form close relationships with faculty and staff members, which ultimately help them succeed. They can also enjoy paying the most affordable tuition and fees of any four-year public college in Iowa at UNI.

For more information about Military & Veteran Student Services at UNI, visit military.uni.edu.