Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Scholarship
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA)
Full tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public colleges for 4 years for spouses and children of Illinois veterans who were MIA, POW, killed, or 100% service-connected disabled.
- How much
- full tuition and mandatory fees at Illinois public colleges (4 years / 120 points)
- Who qualifies
- Spouse, child, stepchild or ward of a veteran who was MIA, a POW, died of a service-connected cause, or is rated 100% permanently and totally disabled (including unemployability) by the USDVA
- The veteran was an Illinois resident when entering active service or within six months after, or for 15 consecutive years after entering active duty. Stepchildren must have been under 18 at the marriage; adopted children under 18 at adoption; wards under court guardianship for 2+ years. Must meet the college's academic standards.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline stated; apply before enrolling.
- How to apply
- Apply online through the ISAC Student Portal (Program Applications & Status Checks) and upload the veteran's DD-214 or casualty report, the USDVA disability or service-connected death letter, proof of college registration or acceptance, a birth certificate, and proof of residency if needed
- Questions: IDVA, 217-782-3564
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (veterans.illinois.gov) and page 2
The details
Pays full tuition and mandatory fees at any Illinois state-supported college or university for the equivalent of four years of enrollment, including summers (120 points, about one point per credit hour). Benefits expire 12 years after first enrollment and are capped at four calendar years of full-time cost at the University of Illinois. Application, graduation, lab, online/distance-education and similar fees are excluded. A surviving spouse's and stepchildren's benefits end at remarriage or divorce. Authorized by 105 ILCS 5/30-14.2.
More money from Illinois
- Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grantup to $8,400 per year (tuition and mandatory fees only)
- AIM HIGH Grant Programvaries by university
- Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Programvaries; tuition and mandatory fees only
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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