As White House Announces Launch of Post-9/11 GI Bill on Aug. 3, Excelsior College...

As White House Announces Launch of Post-9/11 GI Bill on Aug. 3, Excelsior
College Augments Longstanding Services to Meet Increased Demand

New York college leads in serving vets, military students and their families
since 1970s

ALBANY, N.Y., July 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Excelsior College, a national
leader in higher education for military members and veterans since the 1970s,
has added specially-trained outreach staff and streamlined services to meet
anticipated growth in demand for education benefits provided by the Post-9/11
GI bill. The bill takes effect Aug. 1, with a White House announcement
anticipated on Aug. 3.

Thirty-three percent of Excelsior's 32,000 enrolled students are veterans and
members of the military, and the College has established an unparalleled track
record in meeting the academic and financial needs of this important group of
adult learners. An accredited, nonprofit institution, Excelsior is a recipient
of the prestigious Institutional Award from the Council of Colleges and
Military Educators (CCME), and has twice been named among the top
military-friendly Colleges by Military Advanced Education magazine.

A recently released study by the American Council on Education, "From Soldier
to Student: Easing the Transition of Service Members on Campus", underscores
the need for key academic and support services for military students returning
to College, or those seeking higher education for the first time.

"Excelsior College continues to distinguish itself in serving our nation's
military service members through innovative approaches and strategic
engagement," said James Selbe, assistant vice president for lifelong learning
at the American Council on Education. "Campus leadership is committed to
giving veterans a voice and as a result, Excelsior consistently delivers
timely and relevant support."

Most of the services described in the ACE report have been in place at
Excelsior College in its distance-learning environment for many years.

Specifically:
-- Excelsior is among a minority of private, nonprofit colleges with
comprehensive services for military members, veterans and their
families, through its Center for Military Education.
-- To address the GI Bill's expanded benefits, Excelsior has added a
veterans' services and outreach coordinator to augment existing
support services.
-- Excelsior offers "Strategies for Veterans' Success in
College," a 3-credit online course in career planning and
professional development designed specifically for active duty service
members, reserve personnel, veterans and others in transition.
-- Excelsior offers over 30 certificate, associate, bachelor's, and
master's degree programs -- including two associate programs
designed specifically to advance the careers of service members.
-- Excelsior has established a Military Spouse Scholarship program for
the
spouses of enlisted personnel.
-- Military students and veterans receive guidance from dedicated
academic
advisors, many of whom are former members of the military.

-- On the financial side, military and veteran students already qualify
for
tuition reductions and certain fee waivers established by the College
and Excelsior's financial aid personnel, who are experts in the
field of military education benefits.

In addition:

-- Excelsior has formal education agreements with all branches of the
U.S.
Armed Services. Many of Excelsior's military students are pursuing
degrees while stationed abroad in areas of conflict.
-- Excelsior College military students have a course completion rate of
95
percent, the highest among various student groups.

-- The typical military student is in his/her 30s or 40s and is
approaching
military retirement age, preparing for the civilian workforce.

Excelsior College http://www.excelsior.edu is an accredited, nonprofit
distance learning institution that focuses on removing obstacles to the
educational goals of adult learners. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany,
NY, Excelsior is a proven leader in the assessment and validation of student
knowledge. It offers more efficient and affordable access to degree completion
through multiple avenues: its own online courses and college-level proficiency
examinations, and the acceptance in transfer of credit from other colleges and
universities as well as recognized corporate and military training programs.
Excelsior College is accredited by the Commission on Education of the Middle
States Association of Colleges and Schools.

SOURCE Excelsior College

Ellen G. Lahr of Excelsior College, +1-518-608-8280, +1-518-337-7041,
elahr@excelsior.edu