If you proudly served or are a U.S. Armed Services branch member, Lourdes University is the perfect place to pursue your undergraduate degree.

Lourdes consciously tries to welcome and integrate current and veteran military members into our campus atmosphere. We are pleased to participate in the following programs:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill®
• Yellow Ribbon program
• Hero Scholarship for Ohio National Guard members
• Housing Scholarship for Army and Air Force ROTC students

For more information, contact the VA Certifying Official, at
LUAdmits@lourdes.edu or 419-824-3927.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Lourdes University accepts Professional Military Education, which has been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE) as academic credit and most generally provides some military transfer credit. That includes military training programs, courses, and schools, including basic training and the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT).

Service members who received an honorable discharge or continue to serve honorably may be granted up to 6 credit hours for equivalency credit for general elective classes with the approval of the Director of Academic Advising and Prior Learning, the student’s department chair, and the dean. These credits may be awarded to any veteran student, even if they are not a participating or contracted ROTC cadet.

Veterans applying for admission must provide a copy of their DD-214 and an official ACE transcript if requesting transfer credit for military training. The VA Certifying Official can assist you with obtaining an ACE transcript. Academic credit for military training and education is evaluated after the documents have been reviewed. Credit will be considered for transfer to both the core curriculum and the student’s chosen degree program requirements.

All ACE recommendations for lower-level and upper-level credit earned through military training are evaluated for possible transfer credit. However, vocational or technical credit will not be accepted as transfer credit. Lourdes accepts Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) test scores based on ACE recommendations. For evaluation of DLPT scores, Lourdes will utilize the ACE DLPT Credit by Exam Policy when determining how many credits to award.

As with any transfer and credit evaluation, the determination of credit transferability occurs at the time of admission evaluation, and decision and academic petitions of transfer credit decisions for further consideration must be submitted by the end of the second semester after matriculation.

Lourdes University has provided a college education to veterans and military members and their families for many years. Our faculty and staff are proud to serve you and your fellow students while you are at Lourdes and are excited to celebrate your accomplishments including commissioning services and graduation.

MEET LOURDES ALUMNI WHO HAVE PROUDLY SERVED

Corporal Dib Odetallah
U.S. Marine Corp, Infantry

CPL Odetallah chose to attend Lourdes University because of the relatively small student body. “I felt welcomed and respected here. The faculty and staff were friendly and helpful and I felt at home and comfortable.”

Pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, he is especially thankful for Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Oxana Grinevich, who worked with him multiple times on math equations, motivated him to become a better student and always offered the best advice for student success.

After graduation, CPL Odetallah plans to enter a different branch of the service as an officer and attend graduate school. He recommends Lourdes to anyone looking to attend college and transition from military life to civil life. “Lourdes is the place to be. They are willing to help guide you and make sure you get the most out of your education. You are not a number here. People will get to know you by name very quickly and make you feel comfortable.”

Second Lieutenant Corey Linser, (’15, BA, Criminal Justice)
Michigan National Guard

Michigan National Guard Second Lieutenant Corey Linser (’15, BA) graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy in early March. As a member of the 159th graduating class, he is stationed at Post 89 in Swanton, Ohio.

A criminal justice graduate, Trooper Linser was commissioned in the Michigan National Guard last May and is a Platoon Leader for the 37th Special Troops Battalion. Next on his agenda is successfully completing training at Fort Huachuca with the opportunity for promotion to First Lieutenant in the National Guard.

Second Lieutenant Matthew Olzak (’14, BSN, Nursing)
U.S. Army Reserves

Commissioned as a 2LT in May 2014, Matthew will now serve with a medical unit in Columbus, Ohio and continue his officer career with the U.S. Army Reserves.

Captain Sarah Matuszek (R.N., ’09, MSN, Nursing)
Registered Nurse, Progressive Care Unit East, St. Charles Hospital, Oregon, OH

As a nurse in the U.S. Army Reserves 256th Combat Support Hospital in Twinsburg, OH, CPT Sarah Matuszek has learned the principles of leadership and gained valuable medical experience at home and abroad. “With deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, I’ve learned to adapt my nursing skills in any kind of environment. There’s always more than one way of doing something, especially in the Army. By challenging myself and staying motivated, I’ve learned many new skills, thought processes and strategies to constantly strive to be a better leader and nurse.”

After returning from deployment, CPT Matuszek joined St. Charles Hospital’s Progressive Care Unit East. She is also working to complete a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate at The University of Toledo. Upon completion of the program, she plans to reclassify her position and become a nurse practitioner for the Army Reserves.

For military servicemen and women considering returning to school, CPT Matuszek says to make sure to speak with your instructors about your military service. “Let them know at the beginning of the semester that you are serving in the military to prevent any conflicts with the syllabus, and try to give enough notice of upcoming military training. Lastly, be proud of the commitment you made for your country! Quite simply, less than 1% of the U.S. population chooses the path you have taken.”

Major Amanda Merritt (’04, BSN, Nursing)
Nurse Manager, Fort Sam Houston

amanda-merritt

A clinical nurse officer in charge at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, MAJ Merritt oversees a 26 bed trauma surgical unit in the largest department of defense medical center. On a daily basis, she has 96 staff reporting to her.

Last December, MAJ Merritt and her family moved to Germany so that she could serve in the 212th combat surgical hospital. She is currently working on her master of forensic nursing at Duquesne University and will sit for her Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner – Adult/Adolescent (SANE-A) certification exam in the near future.

Lourdes University provides a welcoming community of staff and faculty who are dedicated to making your transition from military to academic life as easy as possible.

Lourdes veteran and military students should take advantage of the academic and campus life support programs offered:

• Academic tutoring at the Academic Success Center
• Career Services assistance
• Access to Ohio Link and thousands of library titles and sources
• Academic advising
• Counseling
• Veterans Center

For more information, contact:

Robert Kull
Lourdes Veterans/Military Families Coordinator
MAH 204
Office hours: M-TH 9am–2pm
RKull@lourdes.edu
(419) 824-3927

Lourdes University is dedicated to providing our nation’s best with a values-centered education and the best academic support and veteran/military benefits as possible.

For more information, contact:

Robert Kull
Lourdes Veterans/Military Families Coordinator
MAH 204
Office hours: M-TH 9am–2pm
RKull@lourdes.edu
(419) 824-3927

EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

To maximize your educational benefits as a veteran or military student, Lourdes University recommends working with the VA Certifying Official and the Financial Aid Office.

If at any time during a student’s educational career at Lourdes he or she is called upon to serve on active military duty by the United States government, said students would be afforded credit for tuition and fees. A copy of the student’s call-up letter must be presented and filled with the appropriate officials of the institution.

ROTC PROGRAMS

Lourdes University collaborates with Bowling Green State University and The University of Toledo to offer students the opportunity to participate in either Army or Air Force ROTC.

Students attending Lourdes University may register for Aerospace Studies courses offered at BGSU through the Department of Aerospace Studies. Lourdes students can also participate in the Army ROTC program by enrolling in the appropriate Military Science and Leadership courses at UT. Scholarships from both programs are available.

Lourdes students enrolled in the UT or BGSU ROTC programs who receive a full ROTC scholarship also qualify for a Lourdes Gray Wolf Housing Scholarship that covers 100% of their on-campus housing cost during fall and spring semesters.

YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM

Lourdes is a participating member of the Veteran Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon program. Through the Yellow Ribbon Agreement under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, qualifying veterans receive up to $20,198 per academic year at Lourdes University. Lourdes is proud to pay up to $500 of the tuition and fees during the academic year. The VA matches that amount and issues payment directly to Lourdes.

TRANSFER OF ACADEMIC CREDIT

Your military training will be reviewed for transfer of academic credit, which can reduce your expected coursework requirements. At a minimum, you will receive 6 credit hours of general elective credit.

ONE-STOP SUPPORT

The Lourdes University VA Certifying Official is available to assist prospective and current military and veteran students with all questions. In addition, veterans and military members can count on our advising and financial aid offices to provide all the necessary assistance throughout their Lourdes academic career.

DISCOUNTED APARTMENT-STYLE HOUSING

Lourdes University students enrolled in The University of Toledo or Bowling Green State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corp programs who receive a full ROTC scholarship also receive a Lourdes University Gray Wolf Housing Scholarship that covers 100% of their housing cost.

ONLINE CERTIFICATION OF BENEFITS

This service allows you to apply for your military education benefits online, eliminating the need to have paperwork signed at various offices around campus. Once the information has been submitted electronically, the Lourdes VA Certifying Official will take care of all the administrative work for you.

COURSE LOAD CHANGE COUNSELING

If you need to change your academic schedule or course load, the VA Certifying Official will work with you to ensure you understand the intricate VA education policies and avoid unexpected financial complications.

TEAM LEADER

During your first semester at Lourdes, the VA Certifying Official will meet with you regularly to provide mentorship and assist you in your transition to campus.

VETERAN TRANSITION ADVISING

The Sophia Center is available to assist you in the transition from the military to academics and your future career.

To maximize your education benefits as a veteran or military student, we recommend you work with your VA Certifying Official and the Financial Aid Office.

The VA’s Yellow Ribbon Program allows qualifying veterans the opportunity to receive a Lourdes University education. At Lourdes, you will appreciate our values-centered education and campus life programs. In addition, you will be an important and valued member of the Lourdes community. Our classrooms never have more than 30 students and we offer several quiet places to study, do homework, and receive tutoring assistance. Plus, veterans, military members and their families are welcomed at the San Damiano Campus Ministry House to gather with their fellow veterans and military students.

If at any time during a student’s educational career at Lourdes, he or she is called upon to serve on active military duty by the United States Government, said students would be afforded credit for tuition and fees. A copy of the student’s call-up letter must be presented and filed with the appropriate officials of the institution.

POLICY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY

In the event that currently enrolled students are called upon to serve on active military duty by the United States Government, said students will be afforded credit for tuition and fees. As an alternative to the refund of tuition, the President or appropriate designee may allow a student who has been called to active military duty to receive an incomplete grade for a course, and may extend the time permitted to complete the course for any reasonable period. With the intention of assisting such students to fulfill their active military duty obligations, the University may make reasonable exceptions to minimize the negative effects of institutional policies otherwise applicable to students who withdraw from or interrupt their course of study. Students should meet with their advisors and the Registrar to discuss options.

A copy of the student’s call-up letter must be presented and filed with the Student Accounts Office, Registrar and the Dean of Student Life.

Learn more about these veteran and military-earned financial aid benefits:

• Yellow Ribbon Program
• Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program
• VA Military Scholarships
• ROTC Scholarship*
• Applying For Benefits and GI Bill®

*Lourdes students enrolled in The University of Toledo or Bowling Green State University ROTC programs who receive a full ROTC scholarship also qualify for a Lourdes Gray Wolf Housing Scholarship that covers 100% of their on-campus housing cost during fall and spring semesters.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Learn about scholarships and aid.