Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant Program

Pays tuition and certain fees at Illinois public colleges for Illinois National Guard members with at least one year of service.

How much

eligible tuition and certain fees at Illinois public colleges (4 years of full-time study; 6 years with 10+ years of service)

Who qualifies

• Illinois National Guard member (enlisted or officer) with at least one full year of service
• Active in the Illinois National Guard, or active 5+ consecutive years with studies interrupted by 6+ months of federal active duty and within 12 months of ING discharge; enrolled at an Illinois public 2- or 4-year college; GPA acceptable to the college; not in default.
• For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school, trade school students

When to apply

Open now No priority date; apply each year early enough for ISAC to decide (about 12 weeks) and for you to notify your college by the last scheduled day of classes of the first term you want covered.

How to apply

1. Submit the ING Grant application each academic year through the Program Applications & Status Checks area of the ISAC Student Portal
2. Give ISAC's eligibility letter to your college's financial aid office
3. Allow about 12 weeks

What you'll need

state application

Last checked

October 5, 2026, against the official page (isac.org)