St. Bonaventure University has been named a Top 10 Military Friendly^® School for 2026-2027, earning national recognition for its commitment to supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families.

The university was also designated a Military Spouse Friendly^® School, highlighting its dedication to serving the unique needs of military families.

St. Bonaventure’s Top 10 designation places it among the nation’s leading colleges and universities in creating a welcoming, supportive environment for military students. The additional Military Spouse Friendly^® recognition underscores the university’s holistic approach to serving not only those who have served, but also the families who support them.

Retired Master Sgt. Frank Morales is the director of the Military Aligned Students Program at SBU, which has more than 175 military-aligned students, including veterans, spouses and dependents of veterans.

“Our Franciscan mission calls us to care for the whole military-connected family,” Morales said. “Even if it’s the spouse or dependent of a veteran attending St. Bonaventure, we are still serving the veteran by making sure their family is welcomed, supported and cared for here.”

The university offers a range of programs and services designed to help military-connected students succeed academically and professionally. These include dedicated support staff, assistance navigating GI Bill and other education benefits, flexible learning options, and a campus culture grounded in respect, community and service.

“Frank has done a tremendous job creating an environment at St. Bonaventure where veterans and their families feel like valued members of our campus community,” said Bernie Valento, vice president for Enrollment. “The services and benefits we provide our veterans are the least we can do to thank them for their service to our country.”

Institutions earning the designations are evaluated using both public data sources and responses to a proprietary survey. More than 3,200 schools participated in the 2026-2027 survey cycle.

“Earning the Military Friendly^® designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of Memberships at Military Friendly^®. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses, they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”

Final ratings are determined by combining an institution’s survey results with public data and an assessment of its ability to meet and exceed benchmarks in student recruitment, retention, graduation, career outcomes, and support services for military-connected students.

St. Bonaventure will be featured in the 2026-2027 Guide to Military Friendly^® Schools, published in the April issue of G.I. Jobs magazine, and on www.MilitaryFriendly.com. The university’s full profile can be viewed here.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).