Financial Aid – Home

Veterans Benefits

If you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, on active military duty, or a dependent of a veteran you may be eligible for certain categories of financial assistance from the State Of Illinois or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Governors State University accepts a variety of education benefits for veterans, survivors and dependents, and servicemembers.

Please feel free to contact the Coordinator for Veterans and Military Personnel, Keith White, at 708.235.2223 if you have any questions regarding the types of assistance offered at GSU.

State of Illinois Veterans Programs 

• Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)
  This is a grant for veterans of the armed forces who are Illinois residents. The IVG award covers tuition and mandatory fees. More information and the application for the Illinois Veterans Grant is available on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission's website.
  
   
• Illinois National Guard Grant (ING)
  This is a grant for members of the Illinois National Guard. The ING award covers tuition and activity fee only. More information and the application for the Illinois National Guard Grant is available on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s website.
  
   
• Missing in Action/Prisoner of War Scholarship (MIA/POW)
  This is a grant for eligible dependents and spouses and administered by State of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. The MIA/POW award covers tuition and activity fee only. More information and the application for the MIA/POW scholarship can be found on the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Federal Veterans Programs 

• Montgomery G.I. Bill
  The Montgomery G.I. Bill is available to veterans who made contributions during active duty service. These education benefits should be used within 10 years following your discharge from active duty. You can get more information by visiting the Department of Veterans Affairs webpage for the Montgomery G.I. Bill.
  
  Once you determine your eligibility, please follow the instructions and download the appropriate application from the options below:
  • GI Bill - First Time Applicant 
  • GI Bill - Transfer Student 
  • GI Bill - Continuing Student
    
     
  Verify your G.I. Bill payment with the VA online or call them at 888.442.4551.
  
   
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment - Chapter 31
  The Vocational Rehabilitation tuition assistance is available to veterans with service connected disabilities. It is available to assist veterans to obtain and maintain suitable employment. More information can be found at the Vocational Rehabilitation webpage.
  
  More information on educational benefits under Chapter 31 can be found by reviewing the application instructions.
  
   
• Post 9/11 G.I. Bill - Chapter 33
  The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill is available to veterans and servicemembers who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Benefits are payable for education obtained on or after August 1, 2009. To be eligible, servicemembers or veterans must have served at least 90 aggregate days on active duty after September 10, 2001. Veterans may also be eligible for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill if they were honorably discharged due to a service-connected disability after serving 30 continuous days after September 10, 2001. To use this benefit at GSU, you must be a degree seeking student.
  
  Election of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill is irrevocable. It covers:
  • Tuition and fees (pro-rated by the student's length of service percentage)
  • Monthly housing allowance (enrollment must be greater than half-time and not exclusively online)
  • Books and supplies
    
     
  Additional information is available on the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov.
  
  Apply to VA:
  • New applicants complete Form 22-1990 
  • Transfer applicants complete Form 22-1995
    
     
  Eligibility expires 15 years after your discharge from active duty. More information may be found by visiting the Department of Veterans Affairs webpage for the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill.
  
   
• Dependents Educational Assistance - Chapter 35
  The DEA program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. Spouses and children of veterans who were disabled or died of a service-related condition may be eligible. To use this benefit at GSU, you must be a degree seeking student.
  
  Apply to VA:
  • New applicants complete Form 22-5490 
  • Transfer applicants complete Form 22-5495
    
     
  Payment is a monthly stipend. Additional information is available on the VA website at www.gibill.va.gov.
  
   
• Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VR&E)
  The VR&E provides vocational rehabilitation services to veterans with service-connected disabilities, helping injured veterans transition from military service to employment. To use this benefit at GSU, you must be a degree seeking student.
  
  Apply to VA:
  • Complete Form 28-1900 
  • Veterans entrance into rehabilitation is authorized with Form 28-1905 Form 28-1905 is faxed to the Office of Financial Aid at 708.534.1172 from the vocational rehabilitation counselor.
    
     
  The VR&E pays tuition, fees, books, supplies and a monthly stipend. Additional information is available on the VA website at www.vba.va.gov.