Education

Educational Opportunities for Children (Age: 10-18)

Financial aid is provided annually to each child between the ages of 10 and 18 years of a veteran who died or became totally disabled as a result of service in the Armed Forces during World War I, or II, the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, beginning February 1, 1955, the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, until such individuals are no longer eligible for induction under the Universal Military Training and Service Act. The financial aid applies to a state educational institution of elementary grade, high school or vocational training school.

MIA / POW Scholarship

Dependents of a veteran who has been declared by the Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be a prisoner of war; missing-in-action; to have died as the result of a service-connected disability; or be permanently disabled from service-connected causes with 100% disability; and, who was an Illinois resident or was an Illinois resident within six months of entering service may be eligible for the scholarship. Eligible dependents are entitled to full payment of tuition and certain fees to any state supported Illinois institution of higher learning consisting of the equivalent of four (4) calendar years of full-time enrollment including summer terms (i.e., 120 points).

Veterans' Grant

The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for Illinois residents. An individual must:

• be an honorably discharged veteran; and
• reside in Illinois six months before entering the service; and
• have at least one full year of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces which includes veterans who were assigned to active duty in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country, regardless of length of service; and
• return to Illinois within six months of discharge from the service

Applications and additional information are available from field offices of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, college financial aid offices or the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, 60015, telephone 847-948-8550 or 800-899-ISAC, web site address www.collegezone.com.

Illinois National Guard Scholarship

Any enlisted person or Lieutenant or Captain with at least one (1) year service in the Illinois Army/Air National Guard may participate. Available for eight (8) semesters or twelve (12) quarters of full-time or part-time undergraduate study or graduate study at any Illinois state-controlled university or community college. Recipient is entitled to payment of tuition and certain fees. Applications and information on the scholarship may be obtained from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, 1755 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, Illinois, 60015, telephone 847-948-8550 or 800-899-ISAC, web site address www.collegezone.com.

Children of Veterans Scholarship

Each county in the state shall be entitled, annually, to one honorary scholarship at the University of Illinois, for the benefit of children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Vietnam Conflict and any time on or after August 2, 1990 and until those persons in service are no longer eligible for the Southwest Asia Service Medal. Preference is given to the children of deceased and disabled veterans. Such children shall be entitled to receive, without charge for tuition, instruction in any or all departments of the University for a term of at least four (4) consecutive years. Details may be obtained from the University's Financial Aid Office.

State Approving Agency - GI Bill

The State Approving Agency (SAA) approves college and non-college degree programs, vocational flight training, apprenticeships and other on-the-job training so that federal educational assistance benefits may be paid to veterans and other eligible persons under the several programs administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
The types of approved training establishments include the following:

• Colleges and Universities
• Vocational Schools
• Business Schools
• Professional Schools
• Vocational Flight Schools
• High Schools
• Apprenticeships
• On-the-Job Training Programs
• Licensing and Certification Tests

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DIRECTORY

TRAINING PROGRAMS DIRECTORY

For more information on approved programs, call 312-814-2460 or 217-782-7839.
For information on the GI Bill – visit the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs website

Illinois Troops to Teachers

Teaching in public schools is a profession highly compatible with the experience veterans receive in the military. The Illinois Troops to Teachers Program can help eligible veterans with at least 6 years of honorable service transition to K-12 public school teaching. The Illinois Troops to Teachers office, under the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs provides:

• Educational and teaching career advisement
• Information resources for earning an Illinois teacher's certification
• Access to mentors, Illinois veterans who have successfully transitioned
• Preparation for and referral to employment as an Illinois public school teacher

With the required hours of past experience, Illinois Veterans can teach their technical skills in a vocational or career center. With a bachelor's degree, former service members can qualify for referral to teach in an academic or subject matter area.

Find out if you're eligible for financial assistance and download registration forms at www.ILTROOPS.org. Illinois' public school children need quality educators in the teacher force. Make a difference, be a teacher.

Contact Information

Email: troops.teachers@illinois.gov
Toll Free: 1-866-372-3157