Deadline Update: We want to ensure anyone applying for federal financial aid has enough time to make an informed decision regarding their college choice! For this reason, we're extending our enrollment decision deadline to May 15.
If you're a military-connected student interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree at UIUC, you're in the right place. Military-connected students include active-duty members, veterans, and dependents of those in the US Military Service.
How you'll apply to the University of Illinois depends on where you are in your studies, rather than on your military-connected status. If you're pursuing a degree on campus, you'll apply as either a first-year or transfer student.
In general, first-year applicants are students who will head to college for the first time after graduating high school. You can find a more specific definition on our policies page.
Transfer applicants are students who enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a higher education institution after graduating high school. More details are available on our policies page.
On your application, you'll have the opportunity to let us know that you're military-connected via a multiple-choice question. We encourage you to select the option that applies to you!
Your application will be evaluated by differing criteria depending on whether you're applying as a first-year or a transfer student. Both review processes take into account your story, including the opportunities available to you over the course of your academic career, as well as your experiences while serving in the military. More information on the review process for current or past members of US Military Service is available on our policies page.
If you're interested in pursuing a degree online, UIUC offers three undergraduate degrees to transfer students. To apply to an online program as a degree seeking student, you'll follow the same application process as all other transfer students. To take classes or complete a certificate through UIUC, you can do so as a nondegree student.
There are several federal, state, and institutional student financial aid programs available to cover your cost of attendance. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) Veterans page for a general overview of veterans-related aid information or the Apply for Education Benefits page for step-by-step guide to applying for and using educational benefits.
A list of federal educational programs available to veterans and sometimes their dependents is available on the OSFA Federal Veterans Programs page. However, you should also review the Department of Veterans Affairs website for the most up-to-date information on these programs and to determine the best benefit package for you.
To explore the educational programs available for veterans in the state of Illinois, explore the eligibility terms on the OSFA website. It's also a good idea to review each program page to ensure you're receiveing the most current information.
The Children of Veterans Tuition Waiver is a four-year consecutive in-state tuition waiver at the University of Illinois given to natural, step, or legally adopted children of service members who are veterans. Learn more about eligibility, applying, and limitations on the OFSA website.
For more information about general financial aid opportunities and calculating your costs, explore our Help With Paying page. There, you'll find guides for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), tips on how and where to find external scholarships, and more!
The Chez Veterans Center provides open, welcoming spaces for all military-connected students. As the largest, most comprehensive facility of its kind in the United States, the center is designed to support you throughout your time on campus.
From individualized academic and career coaching to peer and professional mentoring, the center offers tons of resources for students transitioning to university life. More information about these programs and services is available on their website.
