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, military-connected students, veteran dependents, and veteran spouses. We administer the following federal and state-affiliated educational programs:
- Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®)
- Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment)
- Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill®)
- Chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance)
- Chapter 1606 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Selected Reserve)
- Illinois Veterans Grant
- Illinois National Guard Grant
- Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans’ Dependents Scholarship
- Fry Scholarship (opens in new window)
- Tuition Assistance (TA) (opens in new window)
To apply for federal VA education benefits, visit How to apply for the GI Bill and related benefits (VA.gov) (opens in new window).
To review a side-by-side comparison of GI Bill® benefits, please use the GI Bill® website’s comparison tool (opens in new window).
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 VA Benefits and Health Care: Education and Training website.
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 (opens in new window) (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).
Kankakee County
Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County (opens in new window)
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 (opens in new window)
Federal
Department of Veterans Affairs (opens in new window)
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
ask.va.gov (opens in new window)
Important Websites
- Veterans online application (opens in new window)
- Verify your enrollment (opens in new window) (W.A.V.E.)
- Military Transcript-JST (opens in new window)
- Military Transcript-Air Force (opens in new window)
- Student Veterans of America (opens in new window)
- SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society (opens in new window)
- Make the Connection (opens in new window) (Mental Health Resource)
- Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (opens in new window)
- Inner Voice (opens in new window)
- Illinois Joining Forces (opens in new window)
VA Benefits User Guide
National Archives
- Request copy of military personnel records (opens in new window) (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
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Understanding the transition to college life and the specifics of your military benefits is a vital step in your academic journey. To help you get started and ensure you are meeting all federal and state requirements, we have compiled a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions. From application steps to contact information for the VA, you can find the guidance you need to manage your education benefits effectively.
Contact
Megan Ponton
Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Veteran Services, School Certifying Official
