Veterans Benefits

There are many military educational benefits available to eligible students. The Triton College Financial Aid Office coordinates processing for the following federal VA educational benefit programs:

  • Montgomery GI Bill®: for those who enlisted after July 1, 1985 (Chapter 30)
  • Post 9/11 GI Bill®: for those who served after September 11, 2001 (Chapter 33)
  • Montgomery GI Bil®l: Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606)
  • Montgomery GI Bill®: Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) (Chapter 1607)
  • Montgomery GI Bill®: Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)
  • Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
  • Tuition Assistance: administered through the Cashier’s Office
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (Pub. L. 113-128)

Students receiving educational benefits through any of the above programs must be meeting the Standards of Academic Progress.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)

The Illinois Veterans Grant is available to Illinois veterans who have performed at least one year of federal active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces; or who have served on federal active duty in a foreign country during a time of hostilities in that country and were honorably discharged after each period of federal active duty service. Students eligible for the Illinois Veterans Grant will be charged the in-district tuition rate. The program covers tuition and certain fees for the equivalent of four years of study. Students receiving educational benefits through the program must be meeting the Grade Point Average (GPA) component of the Standards of Academic Progress.

Illinois National Guard Scholarship

The Illinois National Guard Scholarship is available to those who have completed one full year of service in the Illinois National Guard and are current Illinois National Guard members. Students eligible for the Illinois National Guard Grant will be charged the in-district tuition rate. The program covers tuition and certain fees for the equivalent of four years of study. Students receiving educational benefits through the program must be meeting the Grade Point Average (GPA) component of the Standards of Academic Progress.

MIA/POW Scholarship Grant

The MIA/POW Scholarship Grant is available to eligible dependents of Illinois veterans declared by the Department of Defense to be a prisoner of war, missing in action, or to have died or become fully disabled as the result of a service-connected event. Students eligible for the MIA/POW Scholarship Grant will be charged the in-district tuition rate. The program covers tuition and certain fees for the equivalent of four years of study. Students receiving educational benefits through the program must be meeting the Grade Point Average (GPA) component of the Standards of Academic Progress.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(c), Triton College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch.33) or Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA.

Triton will not:

  • Prevent the student’s enrollment.
  • Assess a late penalty fee to the student.
  • Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding.
  • Deny the student access to any resource (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such student may be required to:

  • Provide the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class.
  • Provide a written request to be certified.
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies.

Approval Agency

Veterans benefits are approved by the Illinois State Approving Agency. For additional information relating to VA administered programs, contact the Office of Veterans Services at (708) 456-0300, Ext. 3531 or 3651, or stop by the Financial Aid Office, Room B-160 in the Student Center.