To thank the U.S. military, Benedictine University will offer Illinois veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq a free education through its First Responder program, officials said Friday.

The Lisle university is the first in the country to do so.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama secured a $750,000 federal grant for the first year of the program. Starting this fall, that money will go toward extension of the program.

University President William Carroll said that even if the university does not receive federal grants after its first year, the program will continue long-term.