Illinois benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Illinois's name for SNAP, run by Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

Illinois counts low-income students at a community college who are in a career or technical education program under the Carl D. Perkins Act that leads to employment as meeting a SNAP student exemption. IDHS gives examples such as data entry, medical and health care careers, HVAC and refrigeration, and hospitality and tourism management certificates or diplomas. The student must still meet all other SNAP rules. IDHS also says students who get the majority of their meals (50% or more of three meals a day) through a campus meal plan cannot get SNAP, and dorm costs without meals can count as a shelter expense.

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) · Illinois's page for students

Health coverage: Illinois Medicaid (HFS medical programs, including ACA Adults)

Illinois has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Apply for Illinois Medicaid (HFS medical programs, including ACA Adults)

Child care help: Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. Parents who don't get TANF can get CCAP to attend school or training up to and including their first bachelor's degree, if income is under the limit. Associate's and bachelor's programs count; online classes are treated the same as in-person. No work requirement for the first 48 (non-consecutive) months of college; after that you must work at least 20 hours a week. Parents who don't work must keep a 2.5 GPA (2.0 if working 20+ hours a week). Not available for a second bachelor's or for graduate school. Vocational certificate and GED/ESL programs also count (no work requirement for the first 24 months). Care can include up to one hour of study time per class hour.

Apply for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

We found no extra state Lifeline discount on Illinois's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

The Illinois EITC equals 20% of the federal EITC, and Illinois also allows workers age 18 and older without a qualifying child (including ages 18-24) and ITIN filers to claim it. MyTax Illinois lets full-year Illinois residents file their original IL-1040 online for free, but only if they already have a prior-year Illinois return on file (so first-time filers must use another method).

Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) · Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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• Illinois grants and scholarships
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