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Veterans Educational Benefits

Morton College is dedicated in helping veterans obtain educational benefits through a variety of programs offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Our institution is approved to process the following educational benefits for qualifying students:

Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG) is a grant that pays tuition and allowable fees to anyone who has served at least one year of federal active duty honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces or who is serving in the Armed Forces. Recipients may use IVG for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which is the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment. Students must complete an Illinois Veteran Grant application and submit with a copy of the DD214 member 4. It will be mailed to ISAC. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, Room 204, Building B.

Illinois National Guard grant (ING) - is a grant that covers tuition and certain fees at any Illinois public college, university and community college. Qualified applicants must be an Illinois National Guard member and completed one full year of service in the Illinois National Guard. Recipients may use ING for a maximum of 120 eligibility units which are the equivalent of four academic years of full-time enrollment. The eligibility for ING must be renewed each academic year. To apply, students must submit an online application at www.isac.org.

Illinois MIA/POW Scholarship – is a program for dependents (spouse or children) of veterans who were declared by the Department of Defense or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be a prisoner of war, missing in action, died as a result of a service-connected disability, or be permanently disabled from service-connected causes with 100% disability. This scholarship covers in-district tuition and certain fees. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office, Room 204, Building B.

Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) – is a new education program that became effective August 1, 2009. This program is for individuals who served active duty on or after September 11, 2001 and who received an honorable discharge. If your service ended before January 1, 2013, Chapter 33 benefits will expire 15 years from after your last separation date from active service. If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits will not expire based off a new law called the Forever GI Bill-Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act. Chapter 33 pays directly to the school for the student's tuition and fees up to the predetermined percentage of eligibility established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information visit http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) – is an education program that provides up to 36 months of educational benefits. It provides a monthly payment to the veteran directly. This benefit may be used for degree and some certificate programs. Generally, benefits are payable for 10 years following the release from active duty or after the 36 months are used up whichever comes first.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) — is an education program that provides up to 36 months of education benefits to members of the Selected Reserves: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army National Guard and Air National Guard. Eligibility ends when a member leaves the Selected Reserves.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program [VR&E] (Chapter 31) — is a program to help veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs. To apply a veteran must have an evaluation done by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to determine eligibility.

Tuition Assistance — is a benefit granted to eligible soldiers. Students must contact their commanding officer to obtain the application. All students receiving benefits must comply with academic regulations specified by Morton College. Information on any of these programs is available in the Financial Aid Office, Room 204, Building B or by calling (708) 656-8000, Ext. 2228.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

Beginning August 1, 2019 and despite any policy to the contrary, Morton College will not take any of the four following actions toward any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while their payment from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs is pending:

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

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

  • Produce the VA’s Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class;
  • Provide written request to be certified;
  • Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).