Sullivan University and USA Cares are announcing a new partnership that will provide scholarships and tuition discounts to military members, veterans and family members.

USA Cares – a Louisville-based charitable organization that provides financial and other emergency assistance as well as post-services skills training – has also designated Sullivan University its Official Education Partner.

“Sullivan University is very honored to be recognized as USA Cares Official Education Partner,” said Sullivan University Vice President-Community Partnerships David Keene.”The agreement demonstrates our willingness to give back to those who have given so much for their country and with our sincere appreciation, and it significantly enhances the educational opportunities for these groups of well-deserving people.”

Under the agreement, Sullivan will offer two full program tuition scholarships to be awarded to either USA Cares clients or employees. In addition, Sullivan will provide tuition discounts to USA Cares clients and employees as well as to the immediate family members of the organization’s employees.

“Sullivan University has supported the U.S. Military for over 50 years and has been working with USA Cares since 2015 to help further our veterans’ education and improve their employment situations,” said USA Cares President and CEO Trace Chesser. “This agreement provides our military members, veterans, and family members with an excellent opportunity to start or finish their journey to achieve a degree.

“Many of our clients are already struggling financially and having a difficult time paying their bills,” Chesser said.”This agreement allows them to improve their employability without adding additional financial stress.”

USA Cares’ mission is to provide post-9/11 military veterans, service members, and their families with emergency financial assistance and post-service skills training that will create a foundation for long-term stability.

Designating Sullivan University as USA Cares’ Official Education Partner “shows our clients that USA Cares is here to help,” Chesser said.

“Education will make our veterans more marketable by adding to their skill sets and the training they received while serving in the military,” he said. “Without a degree, our veterans are typically under-employed. This partnership helps to close that gap for our veterans.”

Sullivan University first learned of USA Cares several years ago while the school was establishing a memorial garden honoring Medal of Honor recipients. Keene said that during that process, USA Cares shared some of the difficulties veterans sometimes encounter while making the transition to civilian life.

“Quite often these difficulties were associated with obtaining quality employment that supported the needs of today’s families,” Keene said. “Education in some form is always the gateway to better employment and a better life. We knew we wanted to be a part of the effort to assist veterans in need. The mission of USA Cares resonated with us, and we wanted to help in a way where our knowledge, experience and resources could best be utilized.”

Over the last few years, Sullivan University has attended several job fairs held by USA Cares aimed at veterans and their spouses, and both organizations promote each other to both clients and businesses alike.

“Our services improve the quality of life for veterans and their families and reduce potential factors that contribute to veteran suicide,” Chesser said. “Based on this, it is our job to relieve the initial emergency, such as foreclosure or eviction, utility disconnection or lack of food. By also providing them with additional Career Transition training or financial literacy training, we know we are helping them grow and improve their lives.

For more information on the USA Cares Sullivan University scholarship and tuition agreements, visit: sullivan.edu/usacares or Sullivan.edu/tuition-discount-partners or call 800-844-1354.