University of St. Francis
Joliet, IL
Program Type/Area of Study: Elementary Education
Years Served: 6
MOS: Rifleman
Tell us about yourself:
I have lived in the Joliet area my entire life and I attended Joliet West High School and graduated in 2006. My parents live in Shorewood and I have a brother and a sister who also live nearby. My sister is a has been a teacher at Joliet Central High School for the past 11 years and my brother has been a Des Plaines police office for the past 4 years.
What prompted you to return to school?
I decided that I did not want to make a career out of the Marine Corps and teaching is something I think I will be passionate about, so that motivated me to go back and get my degree.
Why did you choose University of St. Francis?
I am studying to become a teacher and I had heard many positive things about the College of Education at University of St. Francis, and since it was also local it seemed like a good fit.
What military education benefits, such as the GI Bill, did you use?
I use the Post 9/11 Chapter 33 and Yellow Ribbon Program so I don’t have to pay anything for tuition. In addition to that, I get a book stipend and BAH payments.
What has your experience been like as a student?
So far I have had a great experience at USF and I could not be happier with my choice of universities. The University of St. Francis has made the whole process of going back to school much more enjoyable than I ever thought possible.
What challenges did you have adjusting to campus culture after military life?
I transferred to University of St. Francis from Joliet Junior College and the entire process was beyond simple and it was done quite fast as well.
Do you believe your military experience has made you a better student?
I think my time in the Marine Corps has definitely made me a stronger student because I am putting my education as a top priority and I feel much more focused as a student now.
What advice do you have for veterans returning to school?
The best advice I would give any veterans returning to college, is to take advantage of the opportunites that you have earned. On top of that, I would say to try to enter college with a sense of motivation and a want to learn so you make the most of your education.
Additional comments:
Without question, I would recommend USF to future prospective veteran students, because the university has a great way of handling veteran students and ways to simplify the GI Bill process. Any question I ever have about my military benefits or issues that arise are taken care of immediately by the veterans coordinator and that just makes my life easier so I can focus on my classes.