Florida Tech Listed as “High Risk” by Department of War, Impact on Tuition Assistance Uncertain

Florida Tech University is among 34 schools nationwide flagged as “moderate to high risk” by the U.S. Department of War, potentially impacting military personnel’s access to federal tuition assistance. The news emerged on February 14, 2026, after a screenshot of a Department of War memo was posted to Facebook by MeidasTouch, a pro-democracy media site according to Florida Today.

What the Memo Suggests

The alleged memo indicates that military personnel may be banned from using federal tuition assistance at the listed institutions. CNN reported that the move is part of U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s campaign against schools he believes are biased against the U.S. Military and have “troublesome partnerships with foreign adversaries” as reported by Florida Today.

Florida Tech’s Response

As of February 18, 2026, Florida Tech had not received official communication from the Department of War regarding the memo or any potential impact on student tuition assistance. “At this point, we are unaware of any impact to tuition assistance for current or prospective students,” stated Adam Lowenstein, a spokesperson for the university, in an email to FLORIDA TODAY .

University Highlights Military Support

Lowenstein emphasized Florida Tech’s long-standing commitment to military support, citing the university’s founding by World War II veteran Jerome Keuper, its decorated ROTC Panther Battalion, and numerous accolades from organizations like Military Friendly, Military Times, and U.S. News & World Report . The university has been recognized as a military-friendly school more than 12 times and ranked among the top 50 schools for military veterans by Military Times in 2024.

Department of War’s Lack of Clarity

When asked for clarification regarding Florida Tech’s inclusion on the list and the selection criteria, a Department of War press contact directed FLORIDA TODAY to contact the “specific service that has the arrangement with the school in question” and did not provide further information .

Impact on Tuition Assistance

The extent of the impact on Florida Tech students remains unclear. The university continues to actively recruit and serve military students, including those utilizing Department of Defense Tuition Assistance and service-specific programs like ArmyIgnitED according to The Space Coast Rocket. Florida Tech’s Wisdom Warrior Program can cover up to 100% of tuition for students using military tuition assistance as detailed on the university’s website.

Other Universities on the List

Florida Tech was listed alongside other prominent universities, including Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and Yale University .