Fayetteville State University announced at Fort Bragg this morning that it will now have tuition-free scholarships for military-connected students. 

FSU has long shown its support of the military presence in the region, and has sought to solidify its place as a premiere destination for the military by announcing a new Military Tuition Scholarship. The scholarship will provide free tuition to all military-connected students starting this fall. 

 “Military veterans are diverse professionals who have unique skills and experiences, making them invaluable contributors to any organization or community,” said Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg Garrison Commander. “With Fayetteville State University’s affordable and flexible degree programs, along with the Military Tuition Scholarship, service members and their families can successfully complete a degree or certification on their own terms. Fort Bragg is truly thankful for the support of local colleges and universities who make it possible for service members and their families to continue their education.”

FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison announced the findings of a recent report by Evocati, a public relations and consulting firm, that ranked the university as the “top provider of education to military-connected students along a number of variables, including academic outcomes, programmatic offerings, and a return on investment (ROI),” the press release summarized. 

Evocati is a veteran-owned marketing and consulting firm, and the comprehensive report analyzed 85 four-year HBCUs across the country. 

The report found that Black veterans were denied GI Bill benefits disproportionately compared to their counterparts; but, the research also shows that students who attend school with the GI Bill are more likely to complete a degree compared to their peers, pursuing degrees in fields such as business, STEM and healthcare. 

The new tuition announcement may encourage more people to gain an education and stay in the area’s workforce in industries with jobs high in demand. 

“Fayetteville State University is proud to be the premier destination, not just in North Carolina but in the nation, for educating military-connected students,” said Chancellor Allison. “FSU is perfectly positioned here in the Sandhills region to change the landscape on how we think about workforce readiness in today’s ever-changing job market and how we, in higher education, can support veterans and their families in their transitions to the civilian workforce. We’re excited to announce the Military Tuition Scholarship (fully paid) to further support those who sacrificed for our nation in their next chapter in life.”

FSU is in the top three percent of its peers for return on investment and has the largest number of GI Bill students among HBCUs. Additionally, the school was the highest ranked HBCU and University of North Carolina institution in Military Times’ 2021 Best for Vets college ranking.