March 7, 2024 – Santa Fe College (SF) was named a “Best for Vets” and “Military Friendly” school in 2023, a testament to its commitment to serving those who have served our country. Through SF’s Veterans and Military Success Services (VMSS), veterans and their families can pursue their educational goals. With a thorough understanding of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits, SF provides information and referrals, ensuring veterans have access to academic and career support services and more.
VMSS aims to remove much of the trepidation associated with entering college.
“It’s quite amusing,” Christopher Goebel, U.S. Navy Veteran said. “I found myself more apprehensive about returning to college than I was about joining the Navy.”
Amanda Babcock of the U.S. Coast Guard shared the same concerns.
“Just like everyone else,” she said, “I had a million questions. How do I do it? Where do I go? Fortunately, they were able to point me in the right direction.”
Even with a clear path ahead of them, some veterans are older than the average college student. They might feel out of place or disconnected from their younger peers. Veterans can be certain that the Santa Fe College community includes everyone, regardless of age and circumstances.
“I thought I would be the black sheep among the younger students,” Pamela Tees-Pinedo, U.S. Army Veteran said, “but there are people like me in school, most of whom are veterans. I feel comfortable attending classes and doing what they’re doing.”
Military Times ranked SF as the highest rated school in the Florida College System, third in the state of Florida, eighth in the southeast, and 34th nationally as being the “Best for Vets.”
Being named a “Military Friendly” school is another honor. Earning the Military Friendly ® School designation means SF meets the thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
For information about services for veterans at Santa Fe College, contact Veterans and Military Success Services Coordinator Sandra Torres-Pintos at sandra.torres-pintos@sfcollege.edu or call 352-395-5505.