Bill > SB1353

This bill modifies the Illinois Veteran grant program and the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents scholarship to provide more flexible educational benefits for veterans and their dependents. Specifically, the bill changes how grant recipients calculate their tuition and fee waivers at state-controlled universities and community colleges, now basing the benefit on the length of active duty service as verified by the veteran's DD-214 military discharge form. Instead of a flat 4-year benefit, veterans will now receive credit hour waivers ranging from 72 to 120 credit hours depending on their total months of active service. Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, the bill also introduces a new provision allowing veterans who have served at least 6 years of active duty and 2 years of reserve service to transfer their educational grant to a qualified dependent, such as a spouse or child, subject to specific eligibility requirements. The bill includes detailed qualifications for dependents, including age restrictions, grade point average requirements, and residency conditions. Additionally, the bill provides special provisions for dependents of veterans with significant service-related disabilities or those who were killed in the line of duty, ensuring they have access to up to 120 credit hours of educational benefits.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1353&GAID=18&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=114&GA=104