Supporting Military Students: Lessons from Webster University

Higher education leaders talk often about access and affordability, but for military students those issues take on unique dimensions. Dr. Michelle Loyet, interim Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Webster University, has seen first-hand how institutions can better support this important student population.

Webster University has a long history of serving military learners at bases around the world and online. From Michelle’s perspective, two strategies make the biggest difference:

• Keep costs aligned with tuition assistance. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) currently covers about $250 per credit hour. By keeping tuition close to that rate for undergraduate programs, schools can prevent military students from taking on unnecessary debt.
• Maximize transfer credit. Recognizing military training and experience through cooperative degree agreements allows students to bring in 12 to 15 credits—or more—giving them a head start on their degrees.
• Beyond affordability and transfer, flexibility matters. Military students need options that adapt to deployments, relocations, and family needs. That’s where online, hybrid, and base-located programs play a critical role.

The lesson for higher education leaders is clear: serving military students well isn’t just about offering a discount—it’s about understanding their reality, valuing their prior learning, and designing programs that fit their lives.

Listen to the full conversation with Dr. Michelle Loyet on the Engaged by Design Podcast, where she reflects on Webster’s history of military service and the leadership lessons that came from supporting those students.