Illinois Veteran Grant

The Illinois Veteran Grant is the most valuable education benefit in this state's catalog, and one of the more generous in the country, because it is not a fixed dollar award. It pays tuition and mandatory fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges. Illinois public institutions are required to waive eligible tuition and mandatory fees that state appropriations do not cover, so an underfunded appropriation does not fall on the student. The service test is at least one year of federal active duty service in the armed forces, which may include Illinois National Guard and Reserve service on federal active duty. An honorable discharge is required. Service during hostilities can satisfy the requirement with less than a year. Illinois residency can be satisfied three ways, and the breadth is worth reading in full because veterans frequently assume they have aged out: Currently residing in Illinois, unless serving on federal active duty at the time of enrollment or living with a spouse in continued military service stationed outside Illinois. Having been an Illinois resident when entering federal active duty, or within the six months before entering, or having been a student at an Illinois public two-year or four-year college at that time. Residing in Illinois at the time of application and of receiving benefits, and having been an Illinois resident for at least 15 consecutive years at some point after leaving federal active duty. There is no disability rating requirement and no time limit running from discharge, which distinguishes it from the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill and from the in-state tuition rules several other states use. The grant covers tuition and mandatory fees. It does not cover books, supplies, or living expenses, which is the gap the GI Bill housing allowance normally fills. Many veterans use the GI Bill first and the IVG afterward, since the IVG does not expire. Apply through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.