Coming back to school after having served in the military isn't easy. Not only are student vets diving into something they likely haven't experienced since they sat behind a desk in high school, but they're living in a different (and often lonelier) world than many of their fellow classmates.

Because veterans are the backbone of our local communities, we want our vets to go to college and succeed. At JJC, veterans have opportunities and resources to help them on their journey. Below we have outlined five resources vets can take advantage of as JJC students.

1. Veterans Resource Center

The Veterans Resource Center, located in C-1039, is a recent addition to JJC's Main Campus. Created for veterans to meet, hang out and study, computers are available for them use and there's also a conference room and space for counseling. For more information about the center, stop by, call (815) 280-2966 or email veteransbenefits@jjc.edu.

The Office of Student Activities also hosts Veteran Lunch Bunch events at the Veterans Resource Center. A list of scheduled lunches can be found here.

2. Veterans Alliance Club

The JJC Veterans Alliance Club welcomes all students and provides support and resources for veterans, their families and the community. For more information about the club, visit their Facebook page.

3. Medical Corpsman to Practical Nurse Program

Military medics who want to study nursing may be interested in JJC's medical corpsman to practical nurse program. Only eight weeks long, students can become licensed practical nurses if they are accepted into this program that involves both coursework and clinicals. Graduates of this program have also chosen to continue their education at JJC and become registered nurses. For questions, contact Dr. Debbie Fitzgerald at 815-280-2857 or dfitzger@jjc.edu.

Pictured above are students who graduated from this program in 2015.

4. Scholarships

While JJC offers hundreds of scholarships to all students, there are also some specifically geared toward veterans. This one, for instance, provided by ExxonMobil, will help vets with the cost of both tuition and textbooks. Learn more about scholarships at JJC.

5. Benefit Programs for Veterans

Assistance for veterans is always available - all you have to do is fill out a benefit request form. JJC accepts the following benefits, including

• State tuition programs
• Tuition assistance program
• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill

Learn more about these benefit programs and how you can take advantage of themhere.

Have Additional Questions?

Call (815) 280-2623 or (815) 280-2966.
Email VeteransBenefits@jjc.edu.