Education Benefits for Veterans

The VA offers many programs that can assist you in defraying college cost while attending Waubonsee. Although you might have your mind set on one particular program you might be eligible for more than one. You are the only one who can select which benefit meets your needs, but we are here to assist you with general questions about the program benefits and process.

For specific eligibility information we encourage you to reach out to VA at 1-888-442-4551 or use their GI Bill ® Comparison Tool to learn how the benefit program you choose can work for you!

Each program listed below can be applied for by going to www.va.gov/education. Note: The average VA processing time for a web submitted application is 30 days, and this time can extend during certain parts of the year.

Service Member or Veteran Programs

• Chapter 1606 MGIB-SR – Selected Reserve
• Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill ® Active Duty 
• Chapter 31 – Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Services 
• Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill ® 

Spouse or Dependent Programs

• Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship
• Chapter 35 – DEA Survivors & Dependents Assistance 
• Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill ® (The application process for this program differs from the soldier/veteran’s process.)

Students who are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are welcome to use their Tuition Assistance benefit at Waubonsee! To get started, you will need to apply through your unit. Details about the application process can be found by clicking on your service branch’s name below.

You will be asked for a copy of your schedule and bill, and our team can provide you with one per request. Please contact the Financial Aid office at (630) 466-5774 to obtain your copy.

• ArmyIgnitED Tuition Assistance
• Marine Corps Tuition Assistance
• Air Force Tuition Assistance
• Navy and Coast Guard Tuition Assistance

• Spouse’s MyCAA Program - Apply for MyCAA
• Chapter 35 – DEA Survivors & Dependents Assistance
• Career Resources for Military and Surviving Spouses

Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG)

The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges for eligible Illinois veterans. An individual must:

•  Meet one of these criteria:
  •  Have served at least one year of federal active duty. 
  • Regardless of length of service,
    •  Have served in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country; or
    •  Have been medically discharged for service related reasons; or
    •  Have been discharged prior to August 11, 1967.
•  Satisfy Illinois residency requirements set by ISAC. 
• Have an honorable discharge status. 
• Not be in default on any federal student loan, nor owe any grant overpayments. 
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

This benefit can be used together with other benefit programs such as GI Bill ® and Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds. Apply today!

Illinois National Guard Grant (ING)

The Illinois National Guard Grant (ING) Program pays tuition and eligible fees at Illinois public universities and community colleges. In order to receive benefits under this program an applicant must:

•  Be an Illinois National Guard member as defined by ISAC.
•  Have completed at least one year of service in the Illinois National Guard. 
• Not be in default on any federal student loan, nor owe any grant overpayments. 
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

This benefit can be used together with other benefit programs such as GI Bill ® and Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds. Apply today!

Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Scholarship (MIA/POW)

The State of Illinois provides an education scholarship for the dependents of veterans who are either Missing In Action, a Prisoner of War, died while on active duty, 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities or died as a result of service connected disabilities.

This benefit can be used together with other benefit programs such as GI Bill ® and Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds. Apply today!

• Check VA Debt Portal

The VA Work Study program is an opportunity for students to earn while they learn. Positions are available at VA facilities, educational facilities, state agencies, and other non-VA facilities. In order to be eligible to take part in the VA Work Study program, students must meet all of the following requirements:

• Enrolled at least ¾-time (9+ credit hours) per semester

• Using federal VA benefits to pay for educational expenses

• Qualify for federal VA benefits throughout the entire semester

Waubonsee Community College is an approved VA Work Study site. If interested in this position, please email Lindsay Janssen, Financial Aid Veterans’ Coordinator, at ljanssen@waubonsee.edu.
Job Description 

Disclosure: The following list of terms and conditions applies to ALL Waubonsee Community College students who are using federal or state veteran education benefits.  If you have questions regarding anything within this list, please contact a member of the WCC Veterans Services Team.

• I must submit a Veterans Enrollment Certification Request (VECR) form each semester in order to receive federal and/or state veteran education benefits.
• I understand that by submitting a VECR my classes will be held and I will need to drop myself from courses that I do not plan to attend before the drop with refund deadline in order to avoid being charged for the classes.
• I will receive VA benefits only for course requirements for my official degree or certificate program as listed in the college catalog. (federal benefits only)
• I cannot receive VA benefits for repeating a course after I have received a passing grade in that course unless it is a specific course for my degree that requires a minimum grade of C. (federal benefits only)
• I understand that I am not able to use my federal VA benefit for online below 100 level courses.
• I understand that if I withdraw or receive a non-punitive grade for a course (ex. grade of W), it will be reported to the VA and may result in a debt being owed  for payments received since the first day of the semester. (federal benefits only)
• I understand that enrolling in courses that do not meet for the full length of the semester will affect my pay from the VA. (federal benefits only)
• I understand that if I am receiving Chapter 33 benefits, WCC will not submit tuition and fees to the VA until after the  drop with refund deadline.
• I accept responsibility for any balance or overpayment resulting from inaccurate or false information provided to the  college.
• It is my responsibility to notify the WCC Certifying Officials of any changes in my enrollment.
• I am responsible for ALL debts resulting from reductions or terminations of my enrollment even if the payment was submitted directly to the school on my behalf. (Federal benefits only - At times, loss of benefits may revert back to the first day of the term. )
• I understand that I am still held to the campus refund policy as documented in the catalog, and may have a debt with both the college  and the VA.
• I understand that I must meet the Veteran Standard of Academic Progress as defined in the college catalog. (minimum GPA of 2.0)
• I understand that the average WCC processing time for my certification request will be 5-10 business days.
• I understand processing time by the  VA will be at least 4-6 weeks from the time WCC certifies or submits my enrollment.
• I understand that if I am using  federal VA benefits, I am required to verify my enrollment at the end of each month with the VA to receive my  benefit payment.