Section 312.30  Scholarship and Fee Waiver Program Description

a)         Each year, the Department Scholarship and Fee Waiver Program awards a minimum of 53 scholarships to eligible applicants who are accepted for enrollment at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting organization that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a successor federal or state agency pursuant to current federal or state law. The Department awards at least four of those 53 scholarships to applicants who are youth of a veteran. Scholarships shall be available to recipients for up to five years provided the recipient continues to work toward graduation and completion of a certificate or degree program as set forth in Section 312.110.

1)         The Department's Scholarship and Fee Waiver Program does not cover recipient's room and board, or dormitory fees.  Recipients are responsible for paying their own room and board, as well as other costs not covered by the Scholarship and Fee Waiver Program.

2)         OETS will request a waiver of tuition and fees for recipients attending any college or university maintained by the State.  If recipient receives a scholarship or fee waiver from another source OETS shall request a waiver of any remaining tuition or fees. In accordance with the Children and Family Services Act, tuition scholarships and fee waivers shall be available to recipients at any university or college maintained by the State of Illinois. [20 ILCS 505/8(a)]

b)         During their academic years, the Department shall provide recipients with payments for maintenance and school expenses to supplement the recipient's earnings and resources in accordance with Section 312.120. Maintenance and school expenses are separate and distinct from tuition and fees and are subject to maintaining scholastic records that are acceptable to the recipient's college or university and the Department.

c)         Recipients may attend other colleges or universities, if scholarships are awarded to them, and receive the same maintenance benefits as those recipients attending any Illinois State community college, university, or college under Section 8 of the Children and Family Services Act. [20 ILCS 505/8]

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 9789, effective July 6, 2026)