Rider University in New Jersey is offering a free entrepreneurial program in May for veterans, the Times of Trenton reported.

Veterans hoping to start or expand a business can enroll in the private college's program which will begin in May with two half-day workshops, followed by six weeks of classroom training. Business strategy, general accounting principles and market research are some of the topics that will be covered in the classroom training, the Times of Trenton reported.

A $50,000 grant from Grand Bank of Hamilton made the entrepreneurial program for veterans possible.

"Veterans today are a unique brand," Russell Melville, Rider's veterans coordinator, an Army veteran and Rider alumnus, told the Times of Trenton reported. "We come from many different walks, our academic backgrounds and so forth."

Melville said the program gives veterans an opportunity to build on the skill set they already have. He added that veterans are often great leaders, listeners and problem-solvers.

Ronald Cook, director of Rider's Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, agreed with Melville.

"Many of their skill sets transfer quite well to the business world. They're typically very focused, very disciplined and committed to the task at hand," Cook told the Times of Trenton reported.

Cook said participants must come to the program with a proposal. Those proposals will be developed into professional business plans by professors in the program.

"It's designed for students that have a concrete idea," Cook said.

In an effort to "assure that the limited spots are given to serious applicants," the school implemented a $300 registration fee that will be fully refunded to the veterans who have successfully completed the program.

The first workshop, which is scheduled for May 20, will cover the fundamental tools needed to create a business plan. The second workshop, scheduled on May 22, will teach research skills in the library.

The six weeks of classes will begin on May 28.

For more information or to apply, visit www.rider.edu/university-veteran-entrepreneurial-program.