Veteran and Military Services

When you're ready to transition to civilian life, Waubonsee is ready to help you find success in college and in your career. We're proud to serve those students who have served our country, and we'll do everything we can to streamline the process, start you on the right foot and support your endeavors every step of the way.

Veterans Services Philosophy

It is our goal to provide outstanding service to those who have and those who continue to serve our country and their families. We will accomplish our goal by providing our students up to date information on federal and state military education benefits, and other resources available to them within the framework of the institution, Department of Veteran Affairs, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs and Federal Student Aid. We strive to keep our students informed to help them better manage their education funding.

Getting started at Waubonsee as a veteran or service member

Veterans can follow our guide to Getting Started, although those veterans who wish to gain college credit for their military experience will have a few additional steps. For assistance with all aspects of the process, including benefit and referral information, contact our Veterans Academic Advisor, Heather Watson.

New to Waubonsee

https://www.va.govComplete the New Student Information Form (NSIF)/Application to obtain a student Xnumber
Meet with Heather Watson, Veterans Academic Advisor, to discuss:
1. Academic planning, registration and benefit information
2. Completion of Waubonsee placement testing, if needed
3. Prior College credits (you may bring an unofficial transcript for review but an official transcript must be submitted to Registration along with a Transcript Evaluation Request Form (TERF) for your credits to apply to your file
4. Prior credit using military service
  1. Joint Services Transcript
  2. Community College of the Air Force
Apply for benefits
1. Active duty, veteran, spouses and dependents GI Bill® programs
  1. www.va.gov
  2. Tuition assistance - Those currently serving can apply for benefits through their branch units
  3. MyCAA- for spouses of active duty service members
2. Illinois State Guard, veteran, spouses and dependent programs
3. Apply for federal student aid to determine eligibility for federal education grants via studentaid.gov (Federal School Code=006931) These funds can be used with your military benefits and can assist in the event VA is delayed in providing you payment.
Provide Financial Aid with a copy of your benefit approval letter(s).
Submit your Veterans Enrollment Certification Request to initiate the process of submitting your enrollment to your approved programs.

Returning to Waubonsee

Meet with Heather Watson, Veterans Academic Advisor, to discuss:
1. Academic planning, registration and benefit information
2. Any additional prior military credit earned while away from Waubonsee
  1. Join Services Transcript
  2. Community College of the Air Force
3. Any additional prior college credits earned while away from Waubonsee. If you attended another college or university, you may bring an unofficial transcript for review but an official transcript must be submitted to Registration along with a Transcript Evaluation Request Form (TERF) for your credits to apply to your file.
Review benefits
1. Active duty, veteran, spouses and dependents GI Bill ® programs
  1. Login to www.va.gov to print remaining entitlement information
    1. Complete VA Request for Change of Program or Place of Training Form (This form can also be used to update your direct deposit information
      1. Spouse/Dependent – 22-5495
      2. Veteran/Soldier – 22-1995
  2. Tuition assistance – Those students currently serving can apply for benefits through their branch units
  3. MyCAA – for spouses of active duty service members
2. Illinois State Guard, Veteran, Spouses and Dependent programs
  1. Illinois National Guard Grant
  2. Illinois Veterans Grant
3. Illinois MIA/POW Scholarship
4. Apply for federal student aid to determine eligibility for federal education grants via studentaid.gov. (Federal School Code = 006931) These funds can be used with your military benefits, and can assist in the event VA is delayed in providing you payment. The Waubonsee Financial Aid Office will follow up with you once your application has been received.
Provide Financial Aid with a copy of your benefit approval letter(s).
Submit your Veterans Enrollment Certification Request to initiate the process of submitting your enrollment to your approved programs.

Continuing Waubonsee Students

Meet with Heather Watson, Veterans Academic Advisor, for continued academic and transfer planning.
Tuition Assistance (TA) – Updated TA authorization will need to be submitted to continue use. Contact your branch units to gain approval.
Submit your Veterans Enrollment Certification Request to initiate the process of submitting your enrollment to your approved programs.

For information on textbooks and other essential items, visit the Waubonsee Bookstore.

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Veterans Day with Student Near Poster 2014

Military Friendly® School

Recognized by G.I. Jobs

We're proud of our status as a Military Friendly® School. We've received the honor every year since 2012 from "G.I. Jobs" magazine, who recognizes the top 20 percent of U.S. colleges, universities and trade schools doing the most to embrace service members and veterans as students.

More Information

Veterans Service Handbook

There are many resources available to veterans at Waubonsee. Learn more about them in our Veterans Services Handbook.

Veterans Service Checklist

There are many steps to getting the education benefits and services that come with military service. Use our checklist to ensure you don't miss anything.

Financial Aid

Apply for financial aid. Learn more here.

Public Act 96-0133 Survey

View the results of Public Act 96-0133 Survey (PDF)

Earning Credit for Your Experience

Military Basic Training

Veterans may be granted a total of 4 semester hours of credit as a result of their basic training. Those who apply may obtain credit for health education (3) and physical education (1).

Along with Waubonsee's Request for Evaluation (pdf) form, you must also submit a copy of VA Form DD214, a Separation Record or Certificate of Completion. You can request these from the National Archives.

Military Occupation Training

Photo of military members in a classroom

Veterans may be granted credit as a result of their military training. Training that is not the equal of a Waubonsee Community College course cannot be granted credit. Experience is evaluated based on recommendations by the Commission on Accreditation of Service Education (ACE). To search for military courses and training that have been evaluated, please review the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Submit a Waubonsee evaluation form only if you think your training would apply to your degree.

A copy of the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript must accompany the evaluation request.

Other Experience & Training

Students wanting to transfer credit from another college or university and if you are using federal VA education benefits you are required to complete Waubonsee's Transcript Evaluation Request Form (TERF). An official copy of your transcript must be on file to process the evaluation. The Financial Aid Office will certify one semester without an official review of prior college credit.

Earn a qualifying score on a CLEP® exam and earn college credit without taking the course. If you are an eligible veteran, you can receive full reimbursement for a CLEP® exam and administration fees from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Visit the CLEP® website for more information.

Veteran Stories

I had a great experience here.

Mario's Story

We are always here to help

Contact the veterans advisors for assistance.

Heather Watson
Transfer and Veterans Advisor
Sugar Grove Campus
Student Center, Room 278
(630) 466-2091
hwatson@waubonsee.edu

Katy Smith
Financial Aid Advisor
Sugar Grove Campus
Student Center, Room 237
(630) 466-2491
ksmith1@waubonsee.edu