Welcome to the connected and supportive community at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (Catholic Law). We are committed to supporting students coming from military backgrounds. Whether veterans or current members of the military embarking on legal careers post-service, dependents, or recent college graduates aspiring to join the Armed Forces and serve in the JAG Corps, Catholic Law warmly embraces all individuals from the military community.
Rated by Military Friendly as exceeding its benchmark standard in all six of its categories, Catholic Law proudly participates in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon Program, an initiative that can help pay for higher out-of-state, private school, foreign school, or graduate school tuition and fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. The Law School additionally offers students access to the University’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Services and its staff of specialists who have facilitated opportunities for military-affiliated students since its inception.
Apart from providing financial support and guidance, Catholic Law creates a supportive community for military members, reminiscent of the camaraderie found within the active Armed Forces. Stephen C. Payne, the Law School Dean and a retired Captain in the Army JAG Corps, is among the faculty members at Catholic Law with valuable military experience. The University, with illustrious alumni like Emil Kapaun—a Catholic priest, U.S. Army chaplain, and Medal of Honor recipient—upholds a tradition that emphasizes the cherished values of service embraced by both the University's Catholic faith and the Armed Forces.
Catholic University Recognized as a Top Ten Military Friendly School
Military Friendly® ranked Catholic University eighth out of 1,800 schools that participated in the 2024-2025 survey, with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. The research university — the second oldest in the nation and the oldest Catholic research university — also earned the designation of being a Military Spouse Friendly School.
“There's a genuine level of care and investment from the staff and faculty in our student success,” said Curtis Addleman, the University’s executive director of Military and Veteran Student Services. “I think that translates well, to the military population. Because they know that even if they don't have all these answers, they're not on an island by themselves. They have a network and a community that's here to help them navigate whatever challenges come up.”
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Get Support from Catholic Law's Admissions Team
The Admissions and Financial Aid Office at Catholic Law is here to help students work their way through the entire admissions, financial aid, and scholarship process. We invite you to connect with a member of our team to learn more about financial aid and scholarship awards. We want to ensure you have all the information you need to determine if Catholic Law is the right school for you.
Once students are admitted to Catholic Law, support from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office does not stop there. Our dedicated team is here to assist incoming students as they transition from an admitted student through their first year as a law student and beyond. Click on the button below to connect with a member of our team.
A Collegial Community Geared Toward Student Success
The Law School's website features stories of military-affiliated alumni, showcasing the notable achievements of individuals who have considered Catholic Law their academic home. One such success story is Erhan Bedestani, a 2022 Pat Tillman Foundation Scholar who took time to reflect on his time at Catholic Law when he graduated in May 2023. Bedestani is among the many service members who have thrived in the supportive environment fostered by Catholic Law.
Below are links to several other stories of those who have served or are just starting their careers in the armed forces.
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Jenifer Jackson '24 Commissioned as an Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard JAG
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Work Hard, Be Kind: Meet Leadership Alumni Award Recipient The Honorable Coral Wong Pietsch ’74
“Work hard. Be kind. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom.” The Honorable Coral Wong Pietsch ’74 has worked in public service her entire career. She has served as a member of the United States Army JAG Corps, worked in the nonprofit space, served as Deputy Attorney General for the state of Hawaii, acted as a civilian attorney for the army, and was appointed Commissioner of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. Now looking back over her career, Judge Pietsch recognizes the importance of working hard and blazing one’s own trail.
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The Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology Annual Symposium Looks at National Security and Data Privacy Concerns Around Wearable Technology
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Catholic Law Rising Fourth-Year Evening Student Erhan Bedestani Selected as a 2022 Tillman Foundation Scholar
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Catholic Law’s Office of Career and Professional Development Hosts Careers in JAG Panel
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Meeting in Mock Trials: Catholic Law Alumni Meet During Air Force JAG School
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Liz Ulan ‘19 Commissioned to the United States Coast Guard
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Catholic Law's 2022 Toast Our Troops Benefited Veterans on the Rise
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CUA Law Alumnus Spends Year in Afghanistan at Afghan Anti-Corruption Justice Center
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Catholic Law Student Inducted into U.S. Navy Jag Corps
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First-Year Law Student and 2016 Tillman Scholar Featured in NYTs article: "Obama's Sacred Duty: Visiting the Wounded at Walter Reed"
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