The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts has worked for many years to provide a high quality culinary education to military and veteran students. Now, we are pleased to announce that our Boulder, Colorado campus, which also offers online culinary arts and pastry arts programs, has been designated as a 2020 – 2021 Military Friendly® School.
The Military Friendly® designation identifies organizations and schools that work to serve the military and veteran communities through education, career advancement, charitable investment, and more. We are delighted to be recognized by this esteemed organization as meeting their high standard of support for active military, veteran, and military family students.
What is a Military Friendly® School?
Since 2003, the Military Friendly® designation has recognized schools that focus on helping veterans transition from the military to school and from school to civilian careers.
Military Friendly® Schools demonstrate the highest levels of student support and satisfaction using best practices from the Departments of Defense and Veteran Affairs. They must also be in compliance with Department of Education laws and regulations regarding Veterans and the GI Bill®.
Beyond that, Military Friendly® Schools must demonstrate a sustainable and meaningful benefit to the military community while maintaining institutional accreditation. Finally, schools have to prove that students come first, and meet the unique challenges that face veteran and active military students.
How is Escoffier a Military Friendly® Culinary School?
The very nature of our school’s namesake Auguste Escoffier’s “brigade de cuisine,” with its organization and clear hierarchy, provides a system where military and veteran students can easily find their footing.
Ryan Hodros, Boulder Culinary Arts Graduate
Boulder Culinary Arts graduate and veteran Ryan Hodros found that “…many of the conventions that chafe other students are second nature to the vet, from referring to your chef by his or her title, to the verbatim repeat back of orders, down to uniform inspections.”
But within that structure, we understand that military and veteran students have unique needs. That’s why our staff receives DoD and VA training to better serve this community.
Escoffier is the only accredited culinary school in the U.S. that offers 100% online degrees and diplomas with industry externships. This allows active duty military students or veterans with full-time jobs to get their education from anywhere in the world.
Iraq War veteran and Online Culinary Arts graduate Lance McWhorter found great value in the online program while he continued to work 80+ hour weeks as an Executive Chef and restaurant owner.
Chef Lance said, “The online program at Escoffier has honestly been incredible! I have loved it, and feel that I have received a fantastic education at Escoffier Schools and would recommend it to anyone!”
Tuition and Financial Aid for Military & Veteran Students
Our culinary school works with several government programs to provide tuition assistance and financial aid to qualifying military and veteran students and their families.
Eligibility for these programs is determined by the VA or DoD. Our Financial Aid representatives are available to assist in the application process. And with our online platform, we are able to help provide guidance towards resolving any GI Bill or Tuition Assistance issues.
Some of the programs that students may be eligible for include:
- GI Bill® funding through the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Military Tuition Assistance through the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership
- Financial assistance for qualifying military spouses through Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)
- Tuition benefits through the Yellow Ribbon Program, which allows approved schools and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the Post-9/11 GI Bill® limits
Escoffier also makes some grants available to qualified military, veteran, and veteran spouse students. To discuss these funding options, contact one of our Financial Aid representatives today.
Career Services at Escoffier
At Escoffier, we know that getting a culinary education is only part of the process. Next, students will need to turn what they’ve learned into a satisfying career.
That’s why both on-campus and online programs at our military friendly Boulder school include hands-on externship requirements that let students earn real-world experience in a professional kitchen.
While in school and after students complete their programs, they receive support and career assistance from Escoffier’s Career Services staff. Our relationships with major culinary employers like Disney, Celebrity Cruises, Hyatt, and The Ritz-Carlton may provide employment opportunities to qualified applicants. And through the Escoffier Alumni Association, graduates will have the opportunity to stay connected to their fellow students, find job openings, and network with industry professionals.
“I decided to invest in myself and go to culinary school because I need that backing…If food is your dream, Escoffier is the place for you to be. They really do care about you at Escoffier. They really do want you to succeed.”
Tiffany Moore, Online Culinary Arts graduate, United States Army Veteran, and co-founder of Event Hall @ Cascade
“I decided to invest in myself and go to culinary school because I need that backing…If food is your dream, Escoffier is the place for you to be. They really do care about you at Escoffier. They really do want you to succeed.”At Escoffier, our commitment to the success of our students starts on the day they enroll. And that commitment has no expiration date.
Proud to be Military Friendly®
The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts has long made serving veteran and military students a priority. So we’re honored for our Boulder campus to be designated as a 2020-2021 Military Friendly® School. We look forward to continuing our support to the military community and their families.
If you’re looking for a military friendly culinary school, contact us to learn more about how culinary education at our Boulder campus or online may be the right choice for you.
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