Military
The Carlson School and the University of Minnesota recognizes your unique background and needs when it comes to thriving in the higher education environment and transitioning to the business world.
We are dedicated to fully supporting your admission into our programs, and your success during and after.
Recognized for offering Military Friendly® MBA programs.1
The waiver applies to our MBA and master’s degrees for veterans and other military students.
Available for the Part-Time MBA, Online MBA, Executive MBA, MS in Supply Chain Management, and Master of Applied Business Analytics programs.
Financial assistance covering full tuition and stipends are available for the Full-Time and Management Science MBA.
Stephany Smith, '26 MBA: From Military Missions to MBA
Stephany Smith, ’26 MBA, spent 12 years in the U.S. Army and Alabama Army National Guard rising the ranks and leading human resource operations. As she prepares to transition out of the military, she’s ready for her next mission: earning her MBA.
- Complete a one-on-one interview to get support for your goals and answers to your questions.
- Our dedicated personnel provide guidance about your military education benefits, financial aid, and scholarships for military-affiliated students.
- We can gather your official transcripts at your request.
You’ll have additional flexibility when scheduling an interview so you can meet your military commitments.
The following working professional programs offer a 15% military discount:
Connect with Carlson staff & faculty
The Carlson School’s admissions counselors are equipped to help you navigate the admissions process and answer your questions.
We have various staff and faculty members with military backgrounds, including the following, who work with military-affiliated students:
Charles Altman, PhD
Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret)
Director of MBA Military & Veterans program
612-626-7147
[email protected]
Charles is the Director, MBA Veterans Program at the Carlson School of Management, and holds a PhD in Higher Education from the College of Education at the University of Minnesota. Following commissioning through the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School, Commander Altman entered flight training and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1983. His aviation career began that year as an aircraft mission commander was with Patrol Squadron Twenty-Two (VP-22), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. He went on to serve years later as Commander, Pacific Patrol Squadron Det-1 San Diego in charge of a squadron consisting of 8 aircraft and 320 personnel on Coronado Island, California. Throughout his nearly 30 years of naval service, he amassed nearly 4,000 flight hours flying operationally in four separate combat squadrons located on air bases throughout the world.
Sunil Singh
Former Colonel, Indian Army
MS in Supply Chain, Program Director
612-624-7010
[email protected]
Sunil is a Senior Lecturer and Interim Program Director of the Supply Chain and Operations department, at the Carlson School of Management. In his previous ‘avatar,’ Sunil was a Colonel in the Indian Army where he commanded a Mechanized Infantry battalion in the desert sector. During his military career, he was a part of a Special Forces unit exclusively tasked for aviation security and was embedded with the national carrier. As founding principal of BravoMike Consultants, a Minnesota based consulting firm specializing in Airlines Technical Operations. Sunil has worked in the maintenance realm of the three largest US airlines undertaking turnkey projects in Process Improvement, Quality Control and Regulatory Compliance. He is a graduate of the MBA program from the Carlson School and also holds a PMP certification from PMI.
Funding your degree
The Carlson School strives to offer business programs that deliver value to veterans and active-duty service members. To explore additional resources that help make the tuition fit your budget, visit the Veteran Education Benefits page.
A wide range of scholarships are available for U.S. military personnel and veterans in the Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Online MBA, Executive MBA, Master of Applied Business Analytics, and MS in Supply Chain Management programs. Contact our admissions team to explore your options, including scholarships for:
- Academic merit
- Military affiliation
- Program of study
Many graduate school scholarships for veterans and active-duty service members are available at the Carlson School. The following options for the Full-Time MBA program are named for veterans, students with military backgrounds, and other supporters:
- Buuck Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- Deloitte Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- Donald & Lorraine Freeberg Military Vets Fellowship
- Gatens/Benson Military Veterans Fellowship
- Graco Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- H. William Walter MBA Fellowship
- John & Nancy Lindahl Military Veterans Fellowship
- MBA Class of 2000 & 2002 Leadership Fellowship
- Michael & Judy Mee Fellowship
- Military Veterans Merit Fellowship
- Newman's Own Military Veterans Fellowship
- Polaris Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- Rangen/Erickson CSOM Military Vets MBA Fellowship
- Robert Potts Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- Torgerson Family Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- United Healthcare Military Veterans MBA Fellowship
- Victor & Fern Bates Scholarship
- Wiehoff Family Military Veterans Fellowship
- William and Jane Dudley Military Veterans Fellowship
The University of Minnesota encourages the use of education benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and state entities. U.S. military service members, veterans, and their dependents and survivors may be eligible for a variety of programs. Learn more about using your education benefits.
Federal Tuition Assistance
Service members interested in continuing their education in an approved degree or certificate program can seek tuition assistance (TA) from the Department of Defense. Note that the TA policies vary for each branch of service and the National Guard — check with your Education Service Office for details.
GI Bill®
GI Bill education benefits can help you pay for college, training programs, and graduate school. Many GI Bill programs are available based on service and discharge status, such as:
The Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are available to students who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. These education benefits provide funds for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Additionally, students who take classes at least half time can receive a housing allowance.
You may qualify for the MGIB-AD program if you have two years of active-duty service. These benefits help pay for tuition, fees, and other costs for education and training programs.
Through the MGIB-SR program, you may be eligible for up to 36 months of education and training benefits if you serve in the:
- Army Reserve
- Navy Reserve
- Air Force Reserve
- Marine Corps Reserve
- Coast Guard Reserve
- Army National Guard
- Air National Guard
The Yellow Ribbon Program can assist with graduate school tuition costs not covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. If you are fully eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and on active duty when your program begins, you can receive full coverage for your tuition and fees through VA funds and a contribution from the Carlson School.
The Minnesota GI Bill provides up to $15,000 for higher education programs to eligible Minnesota residents, such as:
- Military veterans
- Current U.S. military service members
- National Guard and Reserve service members who served after September 11, 2001
- Spouses and children of service members
The Carlson School is a cost-effective business school for veterans and active-duty service members, offering resident tuition to these populations. Additionally, we will waive the resident tuition deposit for students who have a DD-214 on file and receive educational benefits.
To review our in-state resident rates, please submit a copy of your DD-214 to University Veterans Services.
Become part of our community
Continue your education at the Carlson School to join a supportive community of students and graduates from all branches of the military. In 2024, the University of Minnesota was ranked among the Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.2
The Military and Veterans' Club
Members of the club include all aspects of military service: Active, National Guard, and Reserves. They also come from all branches of the military: Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Join to attend:
- Networking events with organizations interested in hiring veterans
- Professional development workshops to translate work experience and prepare for interviews
- Fun events to broaden the Carlson student body's understanding of what it means to serve
2025 Military Student Profile
Military Experience, Business Impact: Our Students & Alumni in Action
Your military service equipped you with invaluable skills. Meet Carlson School students who built on their service experience to become business leaders. Their stories demonstrate how military expertise creates exceptional business careers.
Matt Pilla
U.S. Navy
'23 MS in Supply Chain Management & '26 Executive MBA
After eight years of Navy service, Matt Pilla transitioned to the medtech industry seeking to expand his impact. Combining his military logistics experience with advanced business education, Pilla is pursuing dual degrees at the Carlson School to accelerate his corporate leadership journey.
Jim Palmer
U.S. Navy
’25 MBA
In his distinguished 20-year Navy career, Palmer rose from nuclear mechanic aboard the U.S.S. Minneapolis-Saint Paul to surface warfare officer and lieutenant. His service spanning six deployments, nine states, and 18 countries developed his global perspective. Now at the Carlson School, Palmer is translating his extensive military leadership into business excellence.
Brittany Gray
U.S. Army
'26 MBA
As company commander for the Minneapolis Recruiting Company, U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Brittany Gray brings 15 years of military leadership to her MBA studies. While maintaining her active-duty responsibilities, she's pursuing her MBA to amplify her command experience with advanced business expertise. 1st Lt. Gray demonstrates how military service and business education create an exceptional leadership foundation.
Shannon Gregory
U.S. Marine Corps & National Guard
'18 MBA, Executive MBA Program
During his 25-year military career, Shannon Gregory has served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Guard and was deployed overseas five times in 15 different countries. Gregory now works as the Chief of Flight Operations at the John F. Kennedy Space Center.
Katie and Colin Robertson
Officers in the U.S. Army
'19 MBA, Full-Time MBA Program
Katie and Colin Robertson both had fathers who were in the military, which gave the couple a “sense of service.” The Robertsons spent 10 years as officers in the U.S. Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two Bronze Stars apiece for distinguished service.
Jack Schneeman
Minnesota National Guard
'19 MBA, Part-Time MBA Program
Jack Schneeman is currently serving an active duty tour in East Africa. That doesn’t mean he’s stepped away from Phraze, a healthcare company he co-founded while in the part-time MBA program that helps physicians digitize their notes to save valuable time. In 2019, Schneeman and Phraze were named one of the Most Disruptive MBA Startups by Poets & Quants.
Airman Lujana Thapa, ’24 MBA
Although Lujana Thapa, '24 MBA, is thousands of miles away on deployment in the Middle East, she remains dedicated to her academic goals at the Carlson School.
In this interview, she shares how her military experience inspires her, what it takes to balance her service and school, and offers advice for veterans or service members who are considering business school.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Expand your professional network. Join our LinkedIn community.
Supporting your career
The Carlson School strives to be one of the best graduate schools for veterans ready to advance their careers. Our Graduate Business Career Center has extensive experience working with students on forging successful career paths in the business sector.
We understand your unique challenges and the singular strengths you will bring to the Carlson School. So, we offer tailored career programming, workshops, and one-on-one coaching to help you translate your skills for a successful civilian career. You’ll be supported every step of the way during your program and for your lifetime after you graduate.
Career services include:
- Individualized coaching with staff experienced in guiding veterans’ career exploration and preparation
- Networking with organizations like MBA Veterans and Eagle Group of MN and alumni in the Twin Cities and nationwide
- Workshops, self-assessments, and job search tools and resources to help you build strong application materials
- Connections to local, national, and global companies with experience hiring veterans
Life in the Twin Cities
With the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Join Air Reserve Station nearby, the Twin Cities and nearby counties have veteran services that can help you access support beyond the Carlson School and University of Minnesota campus.
Veteran Services Resources
- Hennepin County Veteran Services
- Ramsey County Veteran Services
- Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (located in the Veterans Service Building in St. Paul)
For Veteran families
- Art Museums & Centers for active duty military installations (interactive map)
New to the Twin Cities?
From a thriving and diverse business community to sports, music, food, the arts—discover all the Minneapolis-St. Paul region has to offer.
Join the community
We are proud to serve you
The University of Minnesota’s support of our military community goes back to the founding of the University in 1851. One of the original nine faculty members was Major General Richard W. Johnson and the University’s first Professor of Military Science. Since then we have grown our military community, especially within graduate programs at the Carlson School. We’re proud to have strong representation, resources, and career outcomes for those who have served our nation.
Sources and Disclaimers
- Military Friendly®. University of Minnesota - Carlson MBA Programs.
- U.S. News & World Report. University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Rankings.
*The military discount for the working professional programs is “automatic” — students who have military backgrounds and do not receive 100% GI Bill benefits will receive the discount if admitted. Additionally, military discounts cannot be stacked with corporate discounts or other merit scholarships for working professional programs, but military students can opt to complete the scholarship essay to see if they can get merit funding beyond their existing 15% discount. Students will get the greater of their military discount (15%) or merit scholarship when they are awarded. Merit scholarships can be 15% or 50%. The Executive MBA also offers a 25% merit scholarship.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.