Veteran Resources

Welcome to Shawnee Community College! SCC is proud to support veterans, service members, survivors, and eligible dependents as they pursue their educational goals. Students may use benefits available through all GI Bill® programs, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), and Illinois programs, including the MIA/POW Scholarship, Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant, and Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG).

SCC also provides a quiet Veterans Resource Room for students to use while on campus. The room has four computers, comfortable seating, internet access, and a door that can be closed for additional privacy while studying, completing coursework, or accessing benefit information.

Visit the links at the bottom of this webpage to learn more and apply for your benefits. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Financial Aid at finaid@shawneecc.edu or 618-634-3200, Option 1, then Option 2.

 

Let us know you’re here!

Report Add, Drop, Withdraw, or Degree Changes

View Basic Needs & Resources for Veterans and Active Duty

 

New students planning to use military education benefits should complete the following steps:

  1. Explore and apply for VA education benefits. Locate the links at the bottom of this webpage to learn which benefits may be available to you and what documentation is required.
  2. Complete the FAFSA. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine whether you qualify for additional financial aid. SCC’s Federal School Code is 007693.
  3. Apply for eligible Illinois military benefits if you qualify.
  4. Submit your official transcripts. Send all official high school and college transcripts to SCC Admissions as soon as possible. If you want to provide your official military transcripts may be requested through the Joint Services Transcript website. This is recommended only if you have education that will directly transfer to what you’re pursuing now.
  5. Register for classes. See your advisor!
  6. Submit your military benefit documents. Provide Financial Aid with a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and complete the SCC Request for Military Education Benefits Form each semester you wish to use your benefits.
  7. Keep Financial Aid informed. Notify Financial Aid if you change your degree or certificate program, add a class, drop a class, or withdraw from a class.
  8. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must meet SCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to continue receiving VA education benefits and Illinois military benefits, including IVG, ING, and the MIA/POW Scholarship.

Military benefit forms and supporting documents may be emailed to finaid@shawneecc.edu or delivered in person to Financial Aid—whichever you prefer.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Financial Aid at finaid@shawneecc.edu or 618-634-3200, Option 1, then Option 2.

If you previously attended SCC and plan to use military education benefits for your next semester, register for classes and then complete the SCC Continuing Student Military Benefits Request Form.

This form must be completed each semester and tells Financial Aid:

  • The semester for which you have enrolled
  • Your declared degree or certificate program
  • Which GI Bill® benefit you plan to use
  • Which Illinois military benefit you plan to use, such as IVG, ING, or the MIA/POW Scholarship

Submitting this form lets Financial Aid know that you are ready for your enrollment and benefits to be reviewed. You may email the completed form to finaid@shawneecc.edu or deliver it in person to Financial Aid—whichever you prefer.

Those using GI Bill® and Illinois State Scholarships for Veterans are charge in district rates regardless of location as long as they reside in the state the college is located:

A person who is on active duty or who is an individual entitled to assistance as described in 38 U.S.C. 3679 (c), shall receive in-district tuition. Per 23 Administrative Rule 1501.501, members of the armed services stationed in Illinois are classified as Illinois residents for tuition purposes, without needing to meet the general 30-day residency requirement.
Source: 110 ILCS 805/ Public Community College Act

 

Forms

VA Benefits Application

VA Request for Change of Program or Place of Training

Illinois National Guard Grant Application

Illinois Veteran Grant Form

Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans Dependent Scholarship

 

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 website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.