Veterans Affairs
How to Apply for Veterans Benefits
Step 1. Complete Federal Veterans Applications
- First Time Applicants (Never applied for GI Bill Benefits) www.gibill.va.gov
- Complete VA Form 22-1990 online—Application for veterans educational benefits
- Complete VA Form 22-5490 online—Application for survivors' and dependents' educational assistance
- Scroll mouse over Apply for Benefits tab and click Apply Online (VONAPP) then click Launch VONAPP and Apply for Benefits and lastly click I am a New VONAPP User
- Once completed print two copies of submitted application and bring one copy to the Coordinator of Veteran Affairs at Prairie State College (PSC).
- Continuing Applicants (Previously used GI Bill at PSC or another school) www.va.gov/vaforms
- Complete VA Form 22-1995 online and print—Change of place/training form for veteran
- Complete VA Form 22-5495 online and print—Change of place/training form for spouses and dependants
- Transfer of Entitlement (Post 9/11 transferred to spouse and/or dependents)
- First you must go to the DoD transferability application website to determine if your dependents are eligible to receive the transferred benefits. This website is only available to military members. www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB
- Upon approval, family members may apply to use transferred benefits with VA by completing VA Form 22-1990e. VA form 22-1990e should only be completed and submitted to VA by the family member after DoD has approved the request for TEB. Do not use VA Form 22-1990e to apply for TEB
- Complete online VA Form 22-1990e at www.gibill.va.gov. Print two copies of submitted application and bring one copy to the Coordinator of Veteran Affairs at Prairie State College (PSC)
Step 2. Complete State of Illinois Veterans Application (If Applicable)
- Visit to www.collegeillinois.org and click the following tabs in this order: Student, During College, and Military Service.
- IVG Applicants must download application and submit application and a Member-4 copy of their DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for each period of service
- ING Applicants must complete application online by the deadline listed on the website
- MIA/POW applicants must download an application online at http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Documents/MIA-POW-scholarship-application.pdf
- Please remember to mail all printed applications to the proper agency
Step 3. Complete Enrollment Checklist
Step 4. See Coordinator of Veterans Affairs
- Once you have completed both the Veterans and Enrollment Checklists, please bring the following documents for review:
- Federal and State VA Forms (Certificates of Eligibility, if available)
- Member-4 copy of their DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for each period of service. Veterans only
- Two copies of Final Registration Statement
- Attached Rights and Responsibility Form
Agency Contact Information
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission - (800) 899-4722 - www.collegeillinois.com
- (Illinois Veterans Grant and Illinois National Guard Grant )
- Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs - (217) 782-6641
- (MIA/POW Scholarship for Spouses and Dependants Only)
- Department of Veteran Affairs - (888) 442-4551 - www.gibill.va.gov
- (Montgomery GI Bill Chapters 33,30,35,1606, and 1607)
- Coordinator of Veteran Affairs, Prairie State College - (708) 709-3562 - cdavis@prairiestate.edu
- (School Certifying Official)
Enrollment Checklist - What’s the next step?
Step 1. Apply
- Complete an enrollment application online at prairiestate.edu, or complete one in person in Enrollment Services. If you have questions about the enrollment process, contact Enrollment Services at (708) 709-3516. Allow three days for processing the online application.
Step 2. COMPASS Testing, ACT Scores, or College Transcripts
- COMPASS Assessment Testing from PSC or ACT scores that are within the past five years can be used to determine your placement in English, math, and reading. COMPASS scores from another institution can be used if they are within the last year.
If you have attended another college or university, official college transcripts should be received and an evaluation requested by the end of the first term of enrollment. Unofficial college transcripts can be used for advising purposes to determine a preliminary placement and determine the need for COMPASS testing.
Step 3. Advisor
- Meet with an advisor to select courses and complete the registration form. No appointment necessary.
Step 4. Register
- Register in person for courses in Enrollment Services.
How do I pay for college?
Financial Aid Process
Step 1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Apply online at fafsa.ed.gov or via paper application. To download a paper application, visit fafsa.ed.gov or call the (800) 433-3243.
Note: You must use the previous year’s federal income tax forms to complete the FAFSA. The school code for PSC is 001640.
Step 2. Notification
- If you listed PSC’s school code in your FAFSA, the Financial Aid Office will receive your report in 14 days if you applied online or four to six weeks if you submit by paper. The report is used to determine additional documents needed to process your financial aid.
Step 3. Contact Financial Aid
- Call the Financial Aid Office at (708) 709-3735 about 14 days after you submit your FAFSA electronically or four to six weeks if you submit by paper to verify if the Financial Aid Office received your FAFSA report. Based on this report, students may need to submit additional information.
Step 4. Complete PSC Financial Aid Application
- Students must visit the Financial Aid Office to complete a PSC financial aid application.
Step 5. Award Letter
- Once all required documents are submitted to the Financial Aid Office, you will be notified of your financial aid eligibility in approximately 14-21 days. You must log onto your PSC student account at https://webadvisor.prairiestate.edu/.
Financial Aid Rights and Responsibilities Form
