Veterans Resource Center

The Mission of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) is to enhance the success of student Veterans and their dependents by providing assistance and guidance in achieving their educational objectives. Additionally the Veterans Resource Center serves to foster a welcoming campus culture for student veterans and ensure that the men and women who serve our county have access to a quality education in a supportive environment.

JJC is proud to serve student veterans and their dependents through various services, including applications for the GI Bill®, and securing benefits from state and federal aid programs. Stop by the Veterans Resource Center at Main Campus, or email VeteransBenefits@jjc.edu 

support our veterans yellow ribbon

Submission of a Veterans Benefit Request Form is required each semester you intend to utilize benefits.

Veterans Benefit Request Form    

Please submit all required documentation to the Veterans Resource Center by utilizing the online secure document upload within the JJC Portal. 

Veterans Secure Document Upload

Getting Started - Joliet Junior College

Enrolling at JJC and applying for Military Education Benefits may be completed simultaneously.

Getting Started - Military Education Benefits

Find out how to apply for your Department of Veterans Affairs and State of Illinois military education benefits.

  • Veteran or Service Member

    Federal Benefits (GI Bill®)

    Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserves

    New applicants will complete form 22-1990. Already approved and transferring to JJC? Please complete form 22-1995 to designate JJC as your school of record. 

    Veteran Readiness and Employment

    State of Illinois Benefits 

    Illinois Veterans Grant

    Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) 

    The program is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The grant pays in-district and out-of-district tuition. Course and lab fees are the responsibility of the student and cannot be billed to IVG. IVG cannot be used towards noncredit courses at Joliet Junior College. 

    To be eligible for IVG, you must: 

    • Have served at least one year of active duty 
    • Have been a legal resident physically residing in Illinois within six months prior to entering the U.S. Armed Forces
    • Have physically returned to Illinois within six months of separation from the service and now be living in Illinois 
    • Have an honorable discharge status Not be in default on any federal student 
    • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress 

     

    Illinois National Guard Grant

    Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant 

    The program is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The grant pays in-district and out-of-district tuition and student service fees. Any additional are the student’s responsibility and cannot be billed to ING. ING cannot be used towards noncredit courses at Joliet Junior College. 

    To be eligible for ING, you must: 

    • Active in the Illinois National Guard and served at least one year
    • Not be in default on any federal student loan 
    • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress 

    *The application must be completed every academic year*

     

    Check Your Application Status 

  • Family Members

    Federal Benefits 

    Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance - Chapter 35 

    Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

    New applicants will complete form 22-5490. Already approved and transferring to JJC? Please complete form 22-5495 to designate JJC as your school of record. 

    Post 9/11 Transfer of Entitlement

    New applicants will complete form 22-1990e. Already approved and transferring to JJC? Please complete form 22-1995e to designate JJC as your school of record. 

    State Benefits

    Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship

    Check Your Application Status 

  • Military Tuition Assistance

    This program is offered by certain branches of service for members still on active duty, or currently in the reserves. Please check with your branch of service for the application procedure. Completed authorization forms received back from unit need to be taken to JJC Student Accounts and Payments for processing.

    More information can be found at ArmyIgnitED,  militaryonesource or Department of Defense

  • College Credit for Military Training

    Joliet Junior College will award seven college credits (four credits of physical education, HPR 101, and a three credit health class, BIO 103) to any service member who served a minimum of one year active duty, and was discharged honorably. Complete the Request for Military Credit Form and return to the Veterans Resource Center at JJC with a photocopy of the DD214, member 4.

    Students with military training should submit their official Joint Service Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts directly to the Registrar's Office. Transfer credit is awarded based on ACE (American Council on Education) recommendations and corresponding college curriculum. Course-Specific credit is awarded when possible. Upon receipt of the transcript, and completion of a Transcript Evaluation Form, transcripts will be evaluated by the JJC Academic Credentials Analyst, and any applicable credit awarded. More information can be found in the JJC Catalog under "Credit Without Attending Formal Classes."

  • Called For Duty

    Called for Duty 

    A currently enrolled student who is called to military service with the U. S. Armed Forces (as defined in 330 ILCS 60/30) or who is requested to work for the federal government during a national emergency or a limited national emergency must present to the Veteran Resource Center documentation supporting the call to service.

    Military Orders should be uploaded with this FORM prior to the student leaving for military service.

    If the student is unable to upload or provide the order prior to leaving, please contact the Veterans Resource Center as soon as possible at VeteransBenefits@jjc.edu.

     

  • Utilizing Your Benefits

    Please review the Student Veteran Handbook provided to assist you with navigating your benefits at JJC. 

    Student Veteran Handbook

JJC Documentation

To be eligible to utilize your educational benefits please review and submit the appropriate documentation.

Additional Information and Resources

  • Apply for Federal Student Aid

    Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If eligible, these funds can be used with your military benefits. 

    Visit the Financial Aid page for information on how to apply. 

  • Illinois State Statutes

    Eligible active duty service members, veterans, and their dependents will be charged in-state tuition and fee amounts in accordance with all applicable state and federal regulations and guidance. Eligibility is defined by the regulating agency.

    Higher Education Veterans Service Act Survey Results (PDF)

    *JJC offers Priority Registration to all student veterans*

  • Principles of Excellence

    On April 27, 2012, President Obama signed Executive Order 13607; Establishing the Principles of Excellence for educational institutions service members, veterans, spouses, and other family members. Joliet Junior College fully complies with the seven principles and is dedicated to helping our veteran and non-veteran students succeed! Educational institutions participating in the Principles of Excellence program agree to the following guidelines:

    Provide students with a personalized form covering the total cost of an education program.
    The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet is a consumer tool that is designed to simplify information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid so that they can make informed decisions about which postsecondary institution to attend. This can be found within MyJJC.

    Provide educational plans for all military and Veteran education beneficiaries.
    Each student can access his or her degree plan in the student-planning module located in MyJJC. A list of all degrees and certificates can be found on in the JJC Course Catalog.

    End fraudulent and aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentations.
    Joliet Junior College does not participate in high-pressure recruitment-marketing tactics. Joliet Junior College will not provide any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollment of federal financial aid (including TA funds) to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.

    Accommodate Servicemembers and Reservists absent due to service requirements.
    When a student is called to military service, he or she may opt to complete the class or request a tuition and fees refund, in accordance with state and federal laws. The students should present a copy of the “military service orders” to the Office of the Registrar prior to leaving. Information for Called to Duty can be found on the this page.

    A student returning from military service may re-enter as a currently enrolled student in order to be given priority registration for the most immediate semester upon return. 

    Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advice.
    Veterans and their families may contact the Veterans Resource Center: 


    Ensure accreditation of all new programs prior to enrolling students.
    Joliet Junior College works with the State Approving Agency (SAA) to ensure accreditation of new programs prior to enrolling students in those programs.

    Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV, which governs the administration of federal student financial aid programs.
    Joliet Junior College’s institutional refund policy aligns with the Title IV refund policies.

  • Other Resources