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Military Student Affairs Office

Enrollment Guide

New and transfer students may complete an application online at prairiestate.edu/enroll or in person in Enrollment Services.

All students using military educational benefits are required to meet with an Academic Advisor to obtain an academic plan. This is a mandatory one-on-one academic advising appointment to map out your educational program. A copy of this signed plan must be turned into the school certifying official prior to registering for the second term, to certifying you for benefits. Email advising@prairiestate.edu to ask for an appointment with your assigned advisor. Or schedule an appointment online. 

Returning/continuing students should visit Enrollment Services to ensure your contact and program information is up to date.

You should bring the unopened, official copy of all high school, college, and military transcripts to the PSC enrollment office or have your prior schools directly mail your transcripts to the PSC enrollment office. You have your academic transcripts sent by completing PSC's Transcript Evaluation Request Form.

  • Academic Transcripts - You are required to turn in all transcripts from prior schools. No exceptions.
  • Military Transcripts - 
    • If you are a member of the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard, you can request an official, electronic PSC Enrollment Office transcript through the Joint Services Transcript system.
    • If you are a member of the Air Force, you can request an official, electronic transcript to be sent to PSC Enrollment Office through Community College of the Air Force Transcripts.

Federal VA Education Benefits - all active duty military, veterans, spouse, and/or dependents eligible to receive federal VA benefits must
apply online at va.gov. For education specific benefits, please visit va.gov/education/

Tuition Assistance - This is a Department of Defense (DoD) program. TA rules will vary between military branches. Students using TA benefits must submit their approved, semester-specific Tuition Assistance form to the Office of Military Student Affairs, located in room 1240 (or email it to gsanon@prairiestate.edu) prior to the start of the semester. 

Please visit the Snapshot of Benefits Page for additional programs and details. 

Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) – This program is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Benefits may only be used at Illinois public colleges or community colleges. This grant pays for tuition, activity fees, service fees, registration fees, and technology fees. It does not pay for lab fees, Internet fees, or books.

  • Must have entered the service from the state of Illinois.
  • Served at least one full year of active duty. (Note: length of service not regarded if veteran was assigned to active duty in a foreign country in a time of hostilities in that country)
  • Returned to Illinois within six (6) months after discharge.
  • Received an Honorable discharge.
  • Reside in Illinois at the time of application and at the time of receiving benefits for enrollment and, at some point after leaving federal active duty service, have been a resident of Illinois for at least 15 consecutive years.
  • Application available at: IVG Application

Illinois National Guard Grant (ING) – Eligible students must be currently active in the Illinois National Guard. You must apply every academic year.

  • Must have been participating in an Illinois National Guard unit for at least one year.
  • Grant pays tuition and some fees to the school.
  • Must apply EVERY academic year at: ING Grant Application

Illinois MIA/POW State Grant – The program is available through the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs (IDVA). This grant pays for tuition and some fees. Once you have been approved by IDVA, you must turn in your letter of eligibility to the PSC Military Student Affairs Center Office.

  • Dependents of a service member who was a resident of Illinois upon entering the service, and whose status is or has been that of a prisoner of war/missing in action, killed while in the service, died or is 100% disabled as a result of a service-connected disability.
  • If applicable, proof of 15 consecutive years of Illinois residency after leaving active duty and date of this application.
  • Information: (217) 782-3564
  • https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/Pages/default.aspx

In addition to using your military benefits, you can also apply for financial aid by going online to: Fafsa.gov. The school code for Prairie State College is 001640.

Once you have submitted your information, the PSC Financial Aid Office will contact you with your next steps.

 

This form must be turned into the School Certifying Official for each semester you wish to use your benefits. Failure to turn in this form could result in your classes being dropped for non-payment. Forms can be found at the Military Student Affairs Office, located in room 1240, on the northeast side of the Atrium, in the Main Building.

  • New students: Turn in the MSAI along with all copies of your Certificate(s) of Eligibility (COE) or approval letters.
  • Continuing Students: Turn in your MSAI (reminder if using National Guard you must update your letter of eligibility each year); Tuition Assistance (TA) approvals have to be submitted every semester.

IMPORTANT: You must fill out a Military Student Affairs Intake (MSAI) form every semester once you have registered for classes. Turning in this signed form authorizes the Military Student Affairs Office to process your benefits and to apply these benefits towards your bill. Failure to turn in this form could result in your classes being dropped for non-payment.