Veterans Services

Administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

What is it?
The IVG is a grant which, if a student qualifies, will cover tuition and most fees at Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges. If eligible, a student is given 120 units of credit, equivalent to approximately four years of study, toward credit and non-credit, undergraduate and graduate level courses at Illinois state-supported schools. The grant is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and is subject to their rules and regulations.

More info available at https://veterans.illinois.gov/services-benefits/education.html.

Now what?
It takes ISAC approximately four weeks to respond. You will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail.
Once you receive your letter, please bring in a copy to the Financial Aid Office.

In order to use your grant, you must:
   • Be enrolled at an Illinois public two- or four-year college.
   • Not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.
   • Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

After confirming this information, we will be able to pay your account.

★ The IVG does not cover laboratory fees, online course fees or book fees at this time; therefore, be aware these costs will fall to you, the student.

★ Continuing Education coursework is allowable under Illinois Veterans Grant benefits.

For more information: www.isac.org
   →Go to ISAC Gift Assistance Programs
   →Go to IL Veteran Grant (IVG)

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

What is it?
The ING is a grant which, if you qualify, will cover tuition and some fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges. If eligible, a student is given 120 units of credit, equivalent to approximately 4 years of study, towards credit and non-credit, undergraduate and graduate level courses at Illinois state-supported schools. The grant is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and is subject to their rules and regulations.

To qualify, a student must:
   1. Have completed one full year of service in the Illinois National Guard.
   2. Be a current Illinois National Guard member.

Now what?
You will receive a letter of eligibility in the mail. Once you receive your letter, please bring in a copy for your file as well as a copy of your current schedule with “ING” and a current phone number written on it.

In order to use your grant, you must:
   1. Be enrolled at an Illinois public two- or four-year college.
   2. Not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.
   2. 3. Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

After confirming this information we will be able to pay your account.

★ The ING does not cover laboratory fees, online course fees, book fees, technology fees or auxiliary fees at this time; therefore, be aware these costs will fall to you, the student. 

★ Continuing Education coursework is allowable under Illinois Veterans Grant benefits.

For more information: ISAC.org
    →Go to ISAC Gift Assistance Programs
    →Go to IL Veteran Grant (IVG)

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

What is it?
The MIA/POW Scholarship Grant is a grant which, if you qualify, will cover tuition and some fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities, and community colleges. If eligible, a student is given 120 units of credit, equivalent to approximately 4 years of study, towards credit and non-credit, undergraduate and graduate level courses at Illinois state-supported schools. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and is subject to their rules and regulations.

Now what?
Correspondence will be sent from the State of IL Veterans Office. Once you receive the letter and the scholarship card, bring copies to the Financial Aid office.

In order to use your grant you must:
   1. Be enrolled at an Illinois public 2- or 4-year college.
   2. Not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant.
   3. Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.

After confirming this information, we will be able to pay your account.

★ The MIA/POW scholarship is tuition exclusive and does not cover online, lab or mandatory fees.

★ Continuing Education coursework is allowable under the MIA/POW Grant benefits.

For more information: https://veterans.illinois.gov/services-benefits/education.html
    →Scroll down to MIA/POW Scholarship heading

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Federal Government, Office of Veterans Affairs

What is it?
The Original Montgomery GI Bill is an education program that provides up to 36 months of educational benefits to an eligible student. It directly pays the veteran a monthly amount based on eligibility, rate of training and type of training. It expires after 10 years or after the 36 months is used up, whichever comes first.

To qualify a student must:
   1. Be honorably discharged.
   2. Have had at least 1 year active duty.
   3. Have entered active duty for the first time after 06/30/1985.

There may be other scenarios which may make you eligible.
Access this information via the website noted below.

Now what?
Once all the paperwork has been reviewed by our office and your status as a student in good standing* has been confirmed, we will certify your classes. Payments will be sent directly to you. It is up to you to confirm your enrollment, monthly, through the VA website when appropriate.

For more information: www.ebenefits.va.gov

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Federal Government, Office of Veterans Affairs

VA Pending Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(c), Triton College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch.33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA.

Triton will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment.
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
• Deny the student access to any resource (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such student may be required to:

• Provide the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class.
• Provide a written request to be certified.
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

To apply:
Complete the online application which you may access at the VA website noted below.

Now what?
Please let the Financial Aid Office know you have applied for this benefit program. We will place your tuition on a protective hold while you are awaiting your letter of eligibility.

Once you receive your letter of eligibility, please bring in a copy, as well as, a copy of your current schedule, your DD214, responsibility form, and specialized general petition. You may also be asked to fill out one last form in our office declaring your degree for our records.

When your status as a student in good standing* has been confirmed, we will apply payment to your account. Book stipends and housing allowances will be sent directly to you. It is up to you to confirm your enrollment, monthly, through the VA website when appropriate.

For more information:www.ebenefits.va.gov

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Federal Government, Office of Veterans Affairs

What is it?
The Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserves is an education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserve. This includes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, as well as, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Typically, your eligibility ends when you leave the Selected Reserves. If you stay in the Selected Reserves, benefits generally end ten (10) years from the date you become eligible, if you became eligible before 10/01/92. If you became eligible on or after 10/01/92, your benefits end after 14 years.

Now what?
Once all the paperwork has been reviewed by our office and your status as a student in good standing* has been confirmed, we will certify your classes. Payments will be sent directly to you. It is up to you to confirm your enrollment, monthly, through the VA website when appropriate.

For more information: www.ebenefits.va.gov

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Federal Government, Office of Veterans Affairs

What is it?
Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance is an education benefit for eligible spouses and children of certain veterans. Eligible persons can receive up to 45 months of full-time or equivalent benefits. Spouses have 10 years from the date VA established eligibility to use this benefit. Surviving spouses of veterans who died while on active duty have 20 years from the date VA established eligibility to use this benefit. Children may use the benefits while they are between the ages of 18 and 26.

Now what?
Once all the paperwork has been reviewed by our office and your status as a student in good standing* has been confirmed, we will certify your classes. Payments will be sent directly to you, the student.

For more information: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Information as of 06/2012

Administered by the Federal Government, Office of Veterans Affairs

VA Pending Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(c), Triton College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch.33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA.

Triton will not:

• Prevent the student’s enrollment.
• Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
• Deny the student access to any resource (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such student may be required to:

• Provide the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class.
• Provide a written request to be certified.
• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

What is it?
Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, is an educational benefit program established to help veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find and keep suitable jobs. It is a program that pays for: eligible tuition, fees and materials; and can be used for 12 years before expiring.

Now what?
Once your initial evaluation is completed, and you have met with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to determine your academic goals, our office should receive a copy of your Certification paperwork. VR Counselors often fax or mail this paperwork to us.

Once all the paperwork has been reviewed by our office and your status as a student in good standing* has been confirmed, we will certify your classes. Payments will be sent directly to you, the student.

For more information:  www.ebenefits.va.gov

Information as of 10/2009

Administered by the Federal Government (through the office of Triton College's Bursar)

What is it?
Tuition Assistance is a benefit granted to eligible servicemembers which pays part or all of eligible tuition. If, upon enlisting, you were given the option of tuition assistance and you believe you are eligible, please contact your commanding officer for the appropriate application.

To qualify:
To be eligible for the Top-up benefit, the person must be approved for federal Tuition Assistance by a military department and be eligible for MGIB-Active Duty benefits. To be eligible for MGIB benefits, the person must be an MGIB - Active Duty participant and must have served at least two full years on active duty.

Information as of 10/2009

If you’re a spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member, you may be eligible to use transferred education benefits for your classes and training. The VA lists the following criteria:

All of these must be true:

• The Defense Department (DOD) approved the service member’s request for a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB)
• You’re enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS),
• You’ll use the transferred benefits during the required timeframe

If you were married to the service member or Veteran but are divorced now, you’ll continue to be eligible as long as the service member doesn’t revoke (cancel) the transfer of benefits.

Note: If you’re eligible for more than one education benefits program, you can get payments through only one program at a time.

How do I apply?
You’ll need to first make sure the Defense Department (DOD) has approved the service member’s request to transfer benefits to you. This is called a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB).

If DOD has approved the service member’s request, then you can apply online at VA.gov.

You can also apply by mail
To apply by mail, fill out an Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits (VA Form 22-1990e), which is found on VA.gov. Then mail your application to the VA regional processing office listed on the form.

What if the service member hasn’t requested a transfer of benefits?
The service member needs to request a Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) through milConnect first. They must make this request while they’re on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.

If the Defense Department approves the request, you can then apply to use the transferred benefits.

What happens after I apply?
If we approve your application to use transferred benefits, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility. It shows how many months of transferred benefits you can use, and how much time you have to use them.

When can I use transferred benefits?

If you’re a spouse
If you received transferred benefits as a spouse, you can use the benefits right away. You can use them while the service member is on active duty or after they’ve separated from service.

The time limit for these benefits depends on when the service member separated from service:

• If the service member separated before January 1, 2013, you can use these benefits for up to 15 years after their separation from active duty. This is as long as the service member or Veteran doesn’t revoke (cancel) the transfer of benefits.
• If the service member separated on or after January 1, 2013, you can use these benefits at any time. There’s no time limit on the benefits, as long as the service member or Veteran doesn’t revoke (cancel) the transfer of benefits.

Note: You don’t qualify for the monthly housing allowance while the service member is on active duty.

If you’re a child
If you received transferred benefits from a service member as a dependent child, you can start to use these benefits only after the service member has finished at least 10 years of service. You can use these benefits while the service member is on active duty or after they’ve separated from service.

You must meet these requirements to use the benefits:

• You have a high school diploma (or a certificate that’s equivalent) or you turned 18 years old
• You use these benefits before you turn 26 years old

Note: You may qualify for the monthly housing allowance, even when the service member is on active duty.

Can another eligible dependent use my transferred benefits?
Yes, another eligible dependent can use your transferred benefits if both of these are true for you:

• You’re the dependent of a Veteran or service member who died after August 1, 2009, and
• You have unused benefits that the Veteran or service member transferred to you

Contact the VA through Ask.VA.gov to request to transfer your benefits to another eligible dependent.

Please visit the VA.gov for more information.

This site has useful information for military families as well as a scholarship program for spouses of military members.

This site offers a scholarship for children of military members.