From balancing studies to family to what comes next, the transition from service to student life presents unique challenges for many military and veteran students. For those who begin their next chapter at UCF, they find more than support 麻豆精品 S� they discover a community that understands their journey.
Dedicated resources, personal guidance and a shared sense of purpose help illuminate their path to success. That commitment is reflected in national recognition, with UCF earning a Silver Award on the 2025-26 Military Friendly Schools List 麻豆精品 S� placing Knight Nation in the top 20% of all participating schools 麻豆精品 S� and ranking among the top five colleges in Florida (No. 51 overall) on Military Times 麻豆精品 S� 2025 Best for Vets Colleges List.
More than 3,300 student-veterans attend UCF, where they 麻豆精品 S檙e supported by the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success. This is a dedicated unit that creates an enriching and welcoming environment for military students to achieve educational and career goals through academic success and community partnerships.
Pursuing a degree online is a convenient and affordable path for military and veteran students who balance work and personal responsibilities. As a leader in online education for nearly 30 years, UCF is recognized among the best institutions that offer online programs for service members and their families.
UCF is also a 2025 Best Military-Friendly Online College, according to OnlineU, an organization that reviews and ranks top online colleges with the best value and return on investment. In January, UCF was ranked No. 8 for Best Online Bachelor 麻豆精品 S檚 Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report. Best Colleges has also ranked UCF No. 3 for Best Online Military-Friendly Colleges of 2025.
Opening More Doors for Military and Veteran Students
To enhance support for military and veteran students, UCF has formed partnerships to extend academic offerings to this community, including its selection as one of 12 universities nationwide 麻豆精品 S� and the only one in Florida and the southeast 麻豆精品 S� to join the new Service to Service initiative.
The national pilot program is a collaboration between two nonprofit organizations: The Volcker Alliance, which supports public service education, and We the Veterans, which aims to empower service members and their relatives. Service to Service is dedicated to connecting veterans and their families with graduate educational pathways in public service and helping them find impactful long-term careers in public leadership.
At UCF, students who join the initiative, known as Service to Service Fellows, can further their education through the university 麻豆精品 S檚 graduate programs in 麻豆精品 S�public administration, 麻豆精品 S�emergency and crisis management, 麻豆精品 S�nonprofit management, 麻豆精品 S�public policy, and 麻豆精品 S�regional and urban planning. 麻豆精品 S疐ellows also benefit from mentorship, community building, professional development opportunities and job placement support.
This is just one of many examples of how UCF opens doors to new purpose after military service 麻豆精品 S� and part of the reason why Trevor Chandrapaul chose to become a Knight after retiring from the U.S. Navy.
麻豆精品 S淚 always knew I wanted to go back to school, 麻豆精品 S� says Chandrapaul, a third-year student who was drawn to UCF for its strong military community and proximity to major defense companies. 麻豆精品 S淚 saw how many military veterans actually attended [UCF]. I reached out to someone at the Veterans Academic Resource Center, and they took the time to talk to me and offer reassurance. 麻豆精品 S�
Trevor Chandrapaul: From the Engine Room to Emerging Tech
After completing prerequisite courses at Valencia College with plans to become a physical therapist, Chandrapaul took an unexpected five-year detour in the U.S. Navy. As a gas turbine systems technician working in the engine room, he was introduced to systems and engineering fundamentals 麻豆精品 S� a turning point that sparked his interest in computer science.
麻豆精品 S淸UCF] is surrounded by so many defense companies, and I felt like it was a good place for me to continue my studies. 麻豆精品 S�
Although he never intended to build a long-term military career, his service shaped his direction. At 26, Chandrapaul says he was feeling slightly out of place as an older student and transferred to UCF.
麻豆精品 S淐oming from the military, I wanted to continue to serve after my service, 麻豆精品 S� he says. 麻豆精品 S淸UCF] is surrounded by so many defense companies, and I felt like it was a good place for me to continue my studies. 麻豆精品 S�
Through [the Military Veteran and Success Center (MVSC), formerly VARC], he quickly found community among other veterans. The initial intimidation of being older than his peers faded as he connected with other student-veterans.
In his first semester, he landed a job at the MVSC and now serves as a program specialist with the Peer Success Coaches. In this role, he helps military-connected students navigate the transition to UCF 麻豆精品 S� from connecting them with campus resources to encouraging involvement in student clubs and supporting their academic success.
麻豆精品 S淭hrough that job, I was able to help host and participate in so many different events and meet organizations like the Student Veteran Association, 麻豆精品 S� he says.
He 麻豆精品 S檚 also strengthening his skills in computer science through Knight Hacks, UCF 麻豆精品 S檚 largest and only hackathon and software development student organization, while continuing to challenge himself academically. In Spring 2025, he enrolled in 麻豆精品 S�Entrepreneurship for Defense 麻豆精品 S� a course he initially picked as a fun elective, but one that quickly became a launchpad.
Assigned to a team developing a maritime awareness system, Chandrapaul worked alongside students from across engineering disciplines. They conducted market research, interviewed high-ranking military officials and industry experts, and presented weekly updates to professors and government sponsors 麻豆精品 S� all of which sharpened his public speaking and technical communication skills.
The experience led to his selection for the Defense Innovation Unit 麻豆精品 S檚 summer Maritime Domain Awareness System fellowship.
As a fellow, Chandrapaul is helping improve the safety of maritime environments by developing sensors capable of detecting threats like drug smugglers and illegal fishing activity.
麻豆精品 S淲e recently did a demo on the rooftop of a coastal condo in West Palm Beach, Florida. We got to see a bunch of boats that our radar picked up. We did demos with the U.S. Navy, too. I had the opportunity to visit the Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville, which was a base I had pulled into during my time in the service. 麻豆精品 S�
Now, Chandrapaul is focused on solving real-world challenges through technology. With experience in software development, rapid prototyping and mission-driven problem-solving, he aims to work at the intersection of national security and emerging technology.
And he 麻豆精品 S檚 not ruling out entrepreneurship.
麻豆精品 S淪ince [taking the Entrepreneurship for Defense] course, we might actually make it into a real business, which now might be in my future plans, 麻豆精品 S� he says. It’s a lot of fun making a project that has a real-world impact. And I have to thank UCF for even presenting me with this opportunity. 麻豆精品 S�
