Veterans
Veteran education programs can be used with financial aid to cover a student’s Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) to determine eligibility for additional grants, loans and federal work study (FWS). The staff in the Student Veteran Affairs Office assist students with receiving benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Veteran Affairs staff provide the following services:
- Processing applications for VA Educational Benefits
- Counseling on VA Educational Benefits
- Certification of enrollment
- Monthly verification of enrollment
- VA Work-Study Program
- Other VA entitlements and benefits
- Veteran Student Association
Illinois Veterans Grant, Illinois National Guard Grant and POW/MIA Waivers are administered through ISAC and Financial Aid. If you apply and are approved for any of the aforementioned financial assistance, you must submit your ISAC Notice of Eligibility to Financial Aid. You can find your financial aid counselor’s name here: https://financialaid.uic.edu/faq/contact-us/. If you have any additional questions regarding IVG, ING or POW/MIA please reach out to ISAC at https://www.isac.org/isac-gift-assistance-programs/illinois-veteran-grant/ or your UIC Financial Aid counselor. Please note, students who elect to use IVG and Chapter 33 Post 9/11 educational benefits at the same time, you will also simultaneously exhaust IVG educational points and Chapter 33 Post 9/11 educational benefits.
Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program
The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) program pays tuition and fees for undergraduate or graduate study at all Illinois public colleges and universities. Recipients may use their grant until reaching the maximum of 120 eligibility units. IVG covers resident tuition and mandatory fees excluding the student to student fee. IVG does not cover University housing. Students must submit a copy of their eligibility letter to Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (SFAS) prior to the term deadline established by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) for the funds to be applied to their student account.
Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program
Enlisted officers or company grade officers of Illinois National Guard Units with one or more years of service may be eligible for payment of tuition at state universities and colleges in Illinois through the ING Grant program. Other grants administered by ISAC may be used in conjunction with the ING, but may not replace it. Recipients may use their grant assistance up to a maximum of 120 eligibility units. Applications must be submitted annually and are available from ISAC.
For IVG and ING information and applications visit www.isac.org.
MIA/POW Scholarship
The MIA/POW Scholarship is available to dependents of Illinois veterans who are/were prisoners of war, declared missing in action, deceased or have 100% service connected disability. Students may request more eligibility information or an application from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver
Eligibility information and the application for the Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver at the University of Illinois. The application deadline is March 1st for the upcoming year.