Veterans Services
KCC is proud to serve and provide an education for students who have served our country. We are committed to helping veterans as they return to college life.
Under specific federal and state laws, we provide full educational and training benefits for qualified veterans and the children of deceased or disabled veterans. We administer the following federal and state-affiliated educational programs:
- Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®)
- Chapter 31 (VA Vocational-Rehabilitation)
- Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®)
- Chapter 35 (Dependents’ Education)
- Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve)
- Chapter 1607 (REAP Reserve Educational Assistance Program)
- Illinois Veterans Grant
- Illinois National Guard Grant
- MIA/POW Scholarship
- Fry Scholarship
- Tuition Assistance (TA)
- Tuition Assistance (TA) DECIDE
To apply for federal VA education benefits, visit https://va.gov/education/how-to-apply.
To review a side-by-side comparison of GI Bill® benefits, please use the GI Bill® website’s comparison tool.
For State administered benefits, such as IVG, ING, or MIA/POW, visit the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) website.
Complete the Veteran Educational Benefits Request Form (PDF, 448KB).
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.
Your military transcript can help you receive academic credit for training completed while in the service.
As of March 1, 2013, AARTS (Army transcript), SMART (Navy transcript) and Coast Guard Institute Transcript have transitioned to the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST is a uniform transcript of all military training and experience for service members of all branches, except the Air Force, which has its own, regionally accredited transcript.
This new electronic transcript service includes Officer and Warrant Officer training, joint military training conducted by other services, and DANTES funded test scores.
Request official military transcripts
- Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines – Joint Service Transcript (JST) opens in new tab/window
- Air Force – Air University/Community College of the Air Force opens in new tab/window
The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 confidential support for veterans and their loved ones. This service is available to anyone, even if they are not enrolled in VA benefits or health care.
To connect:
- dial 988, press option 1 then press 1,
- text 838255, or
- chat online (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).
Kankakee County
Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County
189 E. Court Street, 4th Floor
Kankakee, IL 60901
1-815-937-8489
State of Illinois
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
1-800-899-ISAC (4722)
- Illinois Veteran’s Grant application
- Illinois National Guard Grant application
- MIA/POW Scholarship
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Regional Office
PO Box 66830
St. Louis, MO 63166-6830
1-888-GI-Bill-1 (1-888-442-4551) or 1-800-827-1000
https://ask.va.gov/
Important Websites
- Veterans online application
- Verify your enrollment (W.A.V.E.)
- Military Transcript-JST
- Military Transcript-Air Force
- eBenefits
- Student Veterans of America
- SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society
- Make the Connection (Mental Health Resource)
- Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance
- Inner Voice
- Illinois Joining Forces
VA Benefits User Guide
National Archives
- Request copy of military personnel records (including DD-214)
Other Funding Sources
For information on KCC Foundation Scholarships, please visit KCC’s scholarship website.
Higher Education Veteran Services Act
The state of Illinois Higher Education Veterans Service Act requires all public colleges and universities to conduct a survey of the services and programs that are provided for veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.
KCC Veterans Resource Center
1-815-802-8558
The KCC Veterans Resource Center provides an area for academic excellence and camaraderie for military-connected students.
The center’s mission is to provide:
- A calm, quiet environment to work on projects, homework, and other course related tasks.
- A social area to share stories, create professional/personal relationships, and relax from the rigors of college life.
- Information on community resources/opportunities.
- A space to welcome veteran-led reintegration with civilians.
KCC faculty, staff, alumni, and students are welcome to use the space in alignment with the center’s mission. This space offers opportunities to engage with service members past and present, support KCC Veterans Association initiatives and activities, and foster academic and personal success. The space is not intended for unrelated or personal use.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
- VA benefits for spouses, dependents, survivors, and family caregivers (opens in new tab/window)
- VA education benefits for survivors and dependents (opens in new tab/window)
- Application for education benefits as an eligible dependent (opens in new tab/window)
KCC Specific & State Scholarships
- Deceased, disabled, and MIA/POW veterans; dependents scholarship (opens in new tab/window)
- Complete the Veteran Educational Benefits Request Form (PDF, 448KB)
- KCC Scholarships
External Scholarship Resources
For federal VA education benefits, go to www.va.gov
- Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®)
- Chapter 31 (VA Veterans Readiness & Employment)
- Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill)
- Chapter 35 (Dependents’ Education)
- Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve)
- Chapter 1607 (REAP Reserve Educational Assistance Program)
For Illinois Military Programs, go to ISAC’s website.
- Illinois Veterans Grant
- Illinois National Guard Grant
- MIA/POW Scholarship
- You will receive a Letter of Eligibility from the Department of Veteran Affairs once your benefits have been approved.
- Please bring a copy of this Letter of Eligibility to the Financial Aid Office to utilize your VA education benefits.
- Complete the KCC Veteran Education Benefits Request Form at the Office of Financial Aid.
Note: If you will be using CH. 30 or CH.1606, you will be required to verify your enrollment on the last day of each month to initiate your stipend payment. To do so, visit W.A.V.E. or call 1-877-823-2378.
- Apply for your VA education benefit(s).
- Obtain your Letter of Eligibility for the benefit(s).
- Provide a copy of your Letter of Eligibility to the KCC Financial Aid Office.
- Register for your classes.
- Complete the Veterans Education Benefits Request Form at the KCC Financial Aid Office to utilize your benefit(s).
Check out the GI Bill® Comparison Tool for more information!
- You may call the GI Bill® Education hotline at 1-888-442-4551.
- You may use “Ask VA”.
Please notify the KCC Office of Financial Aid about any changes in your enrollment while using VA education benefits. It is recommended that you see the Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Services prior to making changes to your schedule in order to better understand the outcome of such actions.
Contact
Megan Ponton
Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Services, School Certifying Official
