Converse Increases Veteran Support Through Yellow Ribbon Program
Converse University is proud to announce its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program as part of its ongoing commitment to enhance services and financial support for veterans. The Yellow Ribbon Program is an agreement between Converse and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover tuition and fees that exceed the maximum cap for qualified students.
For up to 20 undergraduate students, Converse has committed to paying up to $2,750 each per year, which the VA will match, to cover the tuition and fees not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This ensures that our veterans and military-connected students receive the maximum educational benefit from their service to our country. Without this program, eligible students would be left paying a portion of their tuition and fees out of pocket.
“Veterans and military-connected students are a critical part of our campus community.”
Dr. Kala Hudson
“Because of their tremendous commitment to their country, Converse is dedicated to providing the best service to all military-connected students throughout their educational journey,” explains Senior Financial Aid Counselor and Veteran Benefits Coordinator Dr. Kala Hudson. “Veterans and military-connected students are a critical part of our campus community. They have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place, sacrificing so much to ensure the safety of all Americans. We consider it an honor to assist them with all aspects of university life.”
Converse’s veteran services and its Converse II program for adult learners have received a boost in recent years thanks to robust philanthropic support from the Spartanburg Academic Movement’s community endeavor, Movement 2030. As one of 30 business, university, and nonprofit partners included in this effort, Converse has shown its dedication to advancing economic mobility and career readiness by expanding its veteran services, which support retention, academic success, and career development.
In addition, Converse has earned the Military Friendly® School designation at the Silver level for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years, an honor given to colleges, universities and schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation.
To participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program at Converse University, students must meet eligibility requirements from both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Converse as a participating institution. Converse requires that participants be admitted to and enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate program, provide a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA, submit a Converse University Yellow Ribbon Application, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually, and meet the university’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements annually.