Dear First Responder,

Thank you for your interest in the First Responder Program at Benedictine University.

The First Responder Program was established in 2002 to serve fire and police personnel in Lisle and provide them with a free education. The program was later expanded to include Naperville and Downers Grove, and eventually most of DuPage County and portions of adjacent counties. More than 450 First Responders completed the program, earning degrees ranging from an Associate of Arts in Business Administration to a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior.

Benedictine University was able to offer this program through federal grants secured by U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-13^th-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and funds from the University’s general funds. Funding from the most recent federal grant has been depleted and the University underwrote the remaining tuition costs.

Although the program has been an overwhelming success, the fiscal climate in Washington, D.C. and our inability to continue to underwrite the costs have forced us to discontinue the program. 

The students already participating in the program will be able to complete their degree requirements. However, we are no longer accepting new students for the First Responder Program.

We appreciate your interest in Benedictine University, and encourage you to re-apply to our full-tuition programs. We will waive your application fee.

We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Tanesha Pittman

Executive Director, Adult Programs

Benedictine University