SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashford University has been selected as one of Military Advanced Education Magazine's Top Colleges and Universities for 2008. The distinction places Ashford University in the top three percent of military-friendly colleges in the nation.

Offering associate, bachelor's and master's degrees that range from business administration to sociology, Ashford University currently services close to 6,000 military students including active duty, National Guard, Reserves, spouses, veterans, retirees, and Department of Defense civilians.

Ashford University provides a range of benefits for service men and women including the Military Grant program which extends a reduced tuition rate to all active duty military, National Guard members, reservists, military spouses, U.S. Department of Defense employees, veterans, and retirees utilizing the Montgomery G.I. Bill.

"We are honored to be named as a university that is dedicated to helping the men and women who dutifully serve our country every day," said KC Haight, Ashford University's director of Military Relations and a former member of the armed forces. "It's our way of showing our appreciation for their service."

Ashford University also provides several benefits to qualified military students to include a waiver of fees, fixed per credit tuition rates and free textbooks and normal shipping costs.

"We make it easy for students to transfer credits for military course work. More than $1,000 in technology and applications fees is waived through the program, and military leaves of absence are also available," Haight said.

For students who need extra assistance, a specialized team of advisors assist military personnel with enrollment, academic and financial needs. These military liaisons work closely with the National Guard's Education Support Center in Little Rock, Ark., to ensure that each student's needs are met, and to maximize credits from AARTS, SMART, CCAF and USCG training.

"Two of my fellow marines were attending Ashford which made it an attractive option for me," says Justin Watson, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida and enrolled full-time in the online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management degree program through Ashford. "Ashford accepted all of my military training towards my degree and allowed me to transfer 50 credits from my previous schooling."

According to Military Advanced Education, over 2,000 colleges and universities were invited to participate in this year's honors. For more information on Ashford University's military relations program, please visit http://www.ashfordmilitary.com or http://www.ashford.edu.

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is a coeducational institution regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, with programs in education, business, accounting, criminal and social justice, computer animation and graphic design, and other areas. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a range of student activities and athletics, at its Clinton campus. Online degree programs are available in education, organizational management, business administration, and psychology. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable on-campus and online programs, with tuition fees among the lowest in the U.S. compared to other private institutions. Its tagline is: "Higher Education Made Affordable"(SM). For more information, please visit http://www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations, at 858/513-9240 x2513.

     Contact: Shari Rodriguez, Director of Public Relations
     858.513.9240 x2513 - shari.rodriguez@bridgepointeducation.com
     or
     Ana Tackett, Mullen Public Relations
     602.222.4343 - atackett@mullenpr.com

SOURCE: Ashford University

Web site: http://www.ashfordmilitary.com/
http://www.ashford.edu/