MANCHESTER, N.H., Nov. 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), a private, nonprofit university, continues to reinforce its commitment to servicemembers during Veteran's Week. Ranked among the top ten "Best for Vets" this week by Military Times, SNHU is partnering with SoldierStrong, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans get back on their feet after their military service through re-acclimation, rehabilitation and education.

Ranked #9 in the 2016 category for online and nontraditional schools, SNHU is committed to providing veterans, active-duty military and their spouses with high-quality, affordable pathways to higher education. SNHU offers tuition discounts to active-duty servicemembers and their spouses, as well as a generous transfer policy and consideration for military training and experience. A full-service Veterans Office is available to ease the transition to civilian life and provide the extra support veterans and servicemembers need to thrive as students, civilians and employees.

SNHU and SoldierStrong will work together to provide scholarship opportunities to veterans through the SoldierScholarship program. The SoldierScholarship program is open to post-9/11 veterans who served or who currently serve in active duty. These scholarship opportunities enable soldiers to take their next steps forward in the transition to civilian life and to fill any tuition gaps the GI Bill may leave.

"Our partnership with SoldierStrong will help make higher education accessible and affordable for servicemembers looking to take their next step," explained retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Gary Soldato, AVP, military initiatives at SNHU. "Ultimately, we hope these scholarships will ease the transition to civilian life for these deserving veterans."

"The SoldierScholarship program represents an evolution in the needs of our veterans. As troops return from service, education offers some of the best opportunities for them to provide for themselves and their families in civilian life," said Chris Meek, Co-Founder and Chairman, Board of Directors, SoldierStrong. "SNHU's focus on the accessibility of higher education and its long-time support of military servicemembers and their families make this an ideal partnership."

As part of other Veteran's Week activities, SNHU recognized its military students during the NFL's Salute to Service earlier this week at the New England Patriots home game on Sunday. Five SNHU students were recognized for their academic excellence with scholarships and participation in the Patriots Row of Honor. 

About SoldierStrong 

SoldierStrong was founded in 2009 to provide basic necessities such as baby wipes, socks and sunscreen to American soldiers fighting for our country in the trenches of Afghanistan and Iraq. As more of our soldiers return home to the U.S., SoldierStrong continues to assist our nation's heroes in re-acclimating to civilian life by providing scholarships for colleges and trade schools and offering paralyzed soldiers an opportunity to gain mobility outside of a wheelchair. To learn more about SoldierStrong and efforts to provide services to veterans across the United States, please visit www.SoldierStrong.org.

About Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a nonprofit, regionally accredited, private university with an 80-year history of educating traditional-age students and working adults. With over 70,000 students and more than 200 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available on campus and online, SNHU offers access to high quality and affordable education. SNHU's main campus is located in Manchester, NH with locations in Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem, NH, and Brunswick, Maine. Recognized as the "Most Innovative" by U.S. News & World Report and as a Top Military Friendly School®, SNHU continues to transform higher education by providing the best educational opportunity and experience for all students. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.