To expedite the application and certification process, a veteran should bring their separation document(s) (DD214 or equivalent) to the college they wish to attend. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel should provide their DD Form 2384-1, Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE), or equivalent documentation. Dependents of veterans should provide any documentation which can be used to substantiate eligibility.
NOTE: a student who is receiving federal and/or state veteran educational benefits may still be eligible for federal and/or state financial aid. To apply for financial aid, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Benefits
Montgomery GI Bill®, Chapter 30
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Program provides up to a maximum of 36 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, as well as, some short-term skills programs. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Post-9/11 GI Bill , Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to a maximum of 36 months of education benefits to qualified veterans. Benefits include a monthly stipend based on a basic housing allowance and a book stipend, both paid directly to the veteran. A tuition and fee component, which is paid directly to the college, is also available under this program.
Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)
In certain circumstances, the Department of Defense offers active duty service members serving on or after August 1, 2009 the opportunity to transfer their educational benefits to their spouse and/or dependent children.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606 is specifically designed for members of the Selected Reserves and National Guard. Eligibility for this program is determined by the unit component with a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) given to the service member as documentation of eligibility.
Vocational Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E)
The Vocational Readiness and Employment Program (VR&E) provides vocational rehabilitation services to veterans with service-connected disabilities. This program is designed to assist injured veterans with disabilities to achieve a seamless transition from military service through a successful rehabilitation to suitable employment after service.
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA), Chapter 35
The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program (DEA) offers up to a maximum of 45 months of education benefits. Spouses and children of veterans who died of a service-related condition or who are classified with a 100 percent service-connected disability may be eligible.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Children of an active duty service member who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001 may be eligible for the Marine Gunnery Seargeant John David Fry Scholarship. Benefits are similar to those of the Post 9/11 GI Bill .
Tuition Assistance
The Tuition Assistance Program is administered through the Department of Defense for active duty service members, active reservists or active members of the National Guard. Service members would be required to apply for tuition assistance through their specific branch of the service.
V.A. Work-Study Program
Full-time or 3/4-time student veterans can "earn while they learn" under the VA Work-Study Program. In most cases, students are assigned to work at a site which primarily services veterans.
State of Illinois Benefits
Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG)
The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and mandatory fees for either undergraduate or graduate study at any Illinois public university or community college for those veterans who were honorably discharged with at least one year of full-time active duty.
Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant
The Illinois National Guard Grant pays tuition and eligible fees at Illinois public university or community colleges for eligible members of the Illinois National Guard.
MIA/POW Scholarship
Dependent(s) of a veteran who was an Illinois resident at the time they entered active duty and has been declared to be a prisoner of war, missing in action, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or disabled with a 100 percent disability as the result of a service-connected cause may be eligible to receive the MIA/POW Scholarship.
Illinois Troops to Teachers Program
The Illinois Troops to Teachers Program provides mentoring and referral services to eligible veterans who wish to transition into a K-12 public school teaching career.
State of Illinois Benefits for Veterans Booklet
Download a copy of the State of Illinois Benefits Booklet.
GI Bill
® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government web site at:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Full Description
Important Notes
To expedite the VA certification process, we ask that student veterans bring in their discharge paperwork (DD214 or equivalent) and any medical paperwork that is relevant to his/her application for benefits to the campus they wish to attend.
Please note a student who is receiving federal and/or state veteran benefits is still eligible to apply for financial aid. Please complete the FAFSA at
http://www.fafsa.gov.
Federal Benefits
Montgomery GI Bill, Chapter 30
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program provides up to 36 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training and correspondence courses. Vocational flight training is approved from September 30, 1990. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following your release from active duty.
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 33
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits to qualified veterans. Benefits include a monthly stipend based on the Basic Housing Allowance and book stipend. The Department of Defense may offer service members serving on August 1, 2009 to transfer benefits to their spouse or dependent children.
The Yellow Ribbon Program
If you plan to transfer to an institution of higher education and your tuition and fees exceed the amount provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program may be helpful. Your tuition and fees may exceed the amount covered by the Post-9/11 GI Bill if you attend a private institution or attend a public institution as a nonresident student. Institutions of higher education voluntarily enter into a Yellow Ribbon Agreement with the V.A.
Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP), Chapter 32
VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 30, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to participate in this education benefit program.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (DEA), Chapter 35
The DEA program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. Spouses and children of veterans who were disabled or died of a service-related condition may be eligible.
For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/pamphlets/ch35_pamphlet%282%29.pdf.
Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
Children of an active duty service member who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001 are eligible for this benefit. Children may be married or over 23 and still be eligible.
For more information: http://gibill.va.gov/documents/factsheets/fry_scholarship.pdf.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E), Chapter 31
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) provides vocational rehabilitation services to veterans with service-connected disabilities, helping our injured veterans with disabilities achieve a seamless transition from military service to successful rehabilitation to suitable employment after service to our Nation.
For more information: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/index.htm.
Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve, Chapter 1606
You may be eligible for this benefit if you have a six year obligation to serve with the military reserve.
For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/post-911/montgomery-gi-bill/selected-reserve.html.
Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP), Chapter 16
REAP provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves, Individual Ready Reserves and National Guard, who are called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency, as declared by the President or Congress.
For more information: https://vareap.vba.va.gov/vareap_www/dmdc_default.asp.
Student Work-Study Allowance Program
Full-time or 3/4-time students in a college degree program or a vocational or professional program, can "earn while they learn" with a VA Work-Study Allowance.
For more information: https://www.gibill.va.gov/documents/pamphlets/work_study_program.pdf.
Tuition Assistance
Active duty service members, active reservists or active guards may be eligible for tuition assistance through their specific branch of the service.
State Benefits
State of Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG)
This program pays tuition and fees for either undergraduate or graduate study at any Illinois public college, university or community college for those veterans who were honorably discharged with at least one year of full-time active duty.
Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant
MIA-POW Scholarship
Dependents of a person who was an Illinois resident at the time he or she entered active duty and has been declared to be a prisoner of war, missing in action, or dead as a result of a service-connected disability, or disabled with a 100 percent disability as the result of a service-connected cause may be eligible to receive the MIA/POW Scholarship. For more information:
http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/benefits/Pages/education.aspx.
State of Illinois Benefits for Veterans Booklet:
http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/documents/veterans%20benefits2.pdf.FinancialAid