Tuition and certain fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges for a member of the Illinois National Guard or Naval Militia with at least one year of service, while a member: up to four years of full-time enrollment, and two more after more than ten years in the Guard.
Also called: ING, National Guard Grant, ISAC, tuition, Illinois National Guard, Naval Militia, four years, six years, 110 ILCS 947/45.
110 ILCS 947/45 (as amended by P.A. 104-2, effective June 16, 2025): a person "who has served at least one year in the Illinois National Guard or the Illinois Naval Militia" and meets the entrance requirements is awarded, at the State university or community college of his or her choice, an exemption from tuition and fees "for not more than the equivalent of 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms", while a member. Since 2013-14 a person "who has served over 10 years in the Illinois National Guard" gets up to 2 more years. The fees covered are matriculation, graduation, activity, term and incidental fees; book, laboratory, supply, union, insurance and bond-pledged building fees are not.
Leaving the Guard. The grant ends on the date membership ends, and the rest of that term is paid. A member who has served at least 5 years and a total of at least 6 months of active duty keeps eligibility for one year after membership ends, if the four years are not used up. A recipient who fails the service obligation or satisfactory participation must repay a prorated share. The grant is an entitlement the college must honour, subject only to grades and a satisfactory student loan record.
What ISAC adds. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission's eligibility page (its rules, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2730.20 and 2730.30) counts enlisted members and officers, lets a high school junior enlist and finish the year of service before college, and requires no student loan default. A Guard member called to federal active duty may also qualify for the Illinois Veteran Grant, and ISAC says a member eligible for both "may have the option of receiving benefits from both programs during the same term(s)", each charging eligibility units for the hours enrolled; Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits used in the same term apply first. ISAC's page names only the Guard; the statute covers the Naval Militia too.
There is no disability rating requirement. Apply through ISAC, and tell the college of eligibility by the last day of classes for each term the grant is to cover.
Thresholds
Thresholds for Illinois National Guard Grant
Gate
Rule
Current service in the Illinois National Guard
The gate is membership in the Illinois National Guard, with the duration of the benefit scaling at ten years of service. No disability rating is involved, so the rating filter never hides this benefit.
Citation updated to “Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Illinois National Guard Grant eligibility (read 2026-10-24 in a visible Chrome window)” (was “Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Illinois National Guard Grant eligibility”).
New official source added: “110 ILCS 947/45, Illinois National Guard and Naval Militia grant program (read 2026-10-24)”.
And 4 more changes.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.