The following are educational programs available for veterans in the state of Illinois.

Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant

Enlisted officers or company-grade officers of Illinois National Guard Units with 1 or more years of service may be eligible for payment of tuition at state universities and colleges in Illinois through the ING. Recipients may use their grant assistance up to a maximum of 120 eligibility units.

Deadline Dates to Apply

October 1 – Full Year Consideration
March 1 – Only 2nd Semester (2nd/3rd Quarter) and Summer Consideration
June 15 – Only Summer Term Consideration

An application is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and must be submitted annually. Other grants administered by ISAC may be used in conjunction with the ING, but they can’t replace it.

Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)

The IVG program pays tuition and fees for undergraduate or graduate study at all Illinois public colleges and universities. Recipients may use their grant assistance up to a maximum of 120 eligibility units.

Eligibility

• You were an Illinois resident 6 months prior to entering active duty.
• You returned to the state of Illinois within 6 months of being separated from active duty.
• You served on active duty for a total of 12 or more months.
• You received an honorable discharge.

The IVG covers resident tuition and mandatory fees (this excludes refundable fees, academic outreach fees, and extramural fees). It doesn’t cover university housing costs.

An application is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

Deceased, Disabled, and MIA-POW Veterans’ Dependents Scholarship

The Deceased, Disabled, and MIA-POW Veterans’ Dependents Scholarship is available to dependents of Illinois veterans who are or were prisoners of war, have been declared missing in action, are deceased, or have 100% service-connected disability. Recipients may use their grant assistance up to a maximum of 120 eligibility units.

Benefits

• Full payment of tuition at any state-supported Illinois institution of higher learning.
• The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 calendar years of full-time enrollment including summer terms (120 points).

To learn more about the program you may visit the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs website. The application process for the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA-POW Veterans’ Dependents Scholarship is online and may be accessed through the Illinois Student Assistant Commission (ISAC). Questions about completing the application should be directed to the IDVA at 217.782.3564.