Marian University Explains What Collegiate Purple Star Means for Military Students

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., October 28, 2026 -- Marian University is helping veterans, active-duty service members, and military families understand what its Tier 2 Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana designation means for anyone choosing where to earn a degree. The recognition is awarded by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. It signals that a college has built intentional, structured support for military-affiliated students from the first application through graduation.

The Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana program was established by Senate Enrolled Act 384-2023 and launched in 2024. It evaluates colleges and universities against 37 standards across eight areas, including admissions and enrollment, financial support, student services, institutional support systems, and career and community engagement. Each institution receives one of three tiers based on its achievement level across all standards: Tier 3 (Military-Student Friendly) for 70 to 79 percent, Tier 2 (Military-Student Ready) for 80 to 89 percent, and Tier 1 (Military-Student Engaged) for 90 to 99 percent. Marian earned the Tier 2 designation with an 80 percent achievement level. That places it among 11 Indiana postsecondary institutions recognized in the 2025-26 cycle.

For military-affiliated students, the designation points to practical support that can shape the entire college experience. The program is built on five guiding principles: education, respect, inclusion, commitment, and capacity building. Those principles show up most clearly in how a school handles funding, credit, and day-to-day support. Many veterans and service members already qualify for education funding but are unsure how to combine or maximize it. Marian's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs offers personalized benefits counseling for VA Education Benefits, Department of Defense Tuition Assistance, and Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), as well as benefits available to spouses and dependents. Prospective students can review their options through Marian's military education benefits resources before they apply. (https://www.marian.edu/admissions/military-benefits )

Military experience can also count toward a degree. Students who served in the armed forces can request an official evaluation of their training, and Marian's admissions team uses guidance from the American Council on Education to award appropriate transfer credit. The university also connects students with community resources, including Marion County Veterans Service Officers and VetTix, which provides event tickets to Indiana veterans and service members. Marian's recent article on what the Collegiate Purple Star designation means for military students walks through these services in more detail. (https://www.marian.edu/blog/2026/10/collegiate-purple-star-designation )

Together, these supports are designed to ease the transition from military service to academic life, which can be both exciting and challenging.

"Marian University is deeply committed to ensuring our military-affiliated students have the support, resources, and sense of community they need to succeed from enrollment through graduation and beyond," said Tony Gearlds, a Marine Corps veteran and Director of Military Affairs at Marian University.

The Collegiate Purple Star designation is valid for three years, and institutions may reapply in future cycles to pursue a higher tier. Indiana Governor Mike Braun recognized the honored institutions for their dedication to students who have served the country. Marian encourages prospective military students to weigh the designation alongside academics, affordability, and career goals as they compare schools. Veterans, service members, reservists, National Guard members, and military families can explore degree programs, online options, and support services at Marian University. (https://www.marian.edu/ )

Marian University
3200 Cold Spring Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46222
Chris Proffitt
cproffitt@marian.edu

Marian University is the only Catholic university in Indianapolis and central Indiana, serving more than 5,100 students, including 4,000 undergraduates and 1,200 graduate students. The university offers degrees in the arts, business, education, engineering, math, medicine, nursing, ministry, and the natural and physical sciences. Founded by Sister Theresa Hackelmeier and the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, the institution traces its roots to a school established in Oldenburg, Indiana, in 1851. It became Marian College in 1936, relocated to Indianapolis in 1937, and was renamed Marian University in 2009. Guided by Franciscan sponsorship values of dignity of the individual, peace and justice, reconciliation, and responsible stewardship, Marian University welcomes students of all faiths and is committed to educating and forming transformative leaders for service to the world.

This release was published on openPR.