(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College is pleased to announce its designation as a 2016 Military Friendly® School by Victory Media. The leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds, and publishers of G.I. Jobs, STEM JobsSM and Military Spouse, Victory Media has been granting the military-friendly status to deserving colleges and universities for seven years.

BC3 is among the top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools in the country that are embracing military students and dedicating resources to ensure their success in the classroom and after graduation. This is the third consecutive year BC3 has received the designation.

“I’m proud to be the veterans coordinator at a facility that has received this designation,” said Stella Smith, BC3 Associate Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Services Coordinator. “As a veterans coordinator, this award is an indication that our veterans are getting the services they need to continue their education.”

The premier Military Friendly® Schools designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities. Institutions competed for the title by completing a survey of over 100 questions covering 10 categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes and military spouse policies. Survey responses were scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success.

Additionally, data was independently tested by Ernst and Young, based on the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media, with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of higher education and recruiting professionals.

“Post-secondary institutions earning the 2016 Military Friendly® School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses,” said Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and Navy Reserve veteran. “Our Military Friendly® Schools are truly aligning their military programs and services with employers to help students translate military experience, skills and training into successful careers after graduation.”

As Veterans Coordinator at BC3, Smith is available to assist veterans applying for admission to BC3. The coordinator is located in the Financial Aid Office and handles all paperwork for individuals applying for Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) educational benefits. Counseling, as well as information regarding financial aid, credit for military service and tutorial assistance also is available for veterans.

BC3 defines veteran students as those who are a veteran; have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including a reserve component or National Guard or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable; have been admitted to a public institution of higher education; and reside in Pennsylvania while enrolled in the public institute of higher education.

“BC3 is committed to assisting veterans with their education and with their transition from boots to books,” said Smith.

In addition to the veteran coordinator, BC3 also has a student veteran association and a student veteran lounge in the Student Success Center that is dedicated solely to student veterans, said Case Willoughby, BC3 Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. BC3 also is preparing to launch a new training program for faculty and staff that is designed to help identify common issues for veteran students and provide them with the assistance needed to overcome them.

“All of us at BC3 recognize the incredible sacrifice that veterans have made,” said Willoughby. “We do our best to make BC3 a welcoming and supportive environment by putting programs and services in place to promote student veteran success. We are honored to once again have been designated as a Military Friendly Institution.”

For more information about BC3’s veterans’ benefits, please contact BC3 Veterans Services at 724-287-8711, Ext. 8335.