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 U.S. government Web site.
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility for financial aid. Priority filing date is March 1.
Attend a student orientation session and the Military Students Breakout session prior to the semester you begin coursework at NIU.
Apply for the correct G.I. Bill with the department of Veteran Affairs. Attach all supporting documents to the online application. Plan ahead: This process can take 6-8 weeks to receive your Certificate of Eligibility. If you need assistance with this appliciation the VA contact is 888-442-4551.
Once you have received your appropriate Certificate of Eligibility, take a picture of the letter or download it as a PDF if virtual.
Submit an Enrollment Certification Form to Military and Veteran Services each semester on the website. On this form, you will also be able to upload the Certificate of Eligibility to the Military and Veteran Service office.
Transfer students, who received federal veteran's benefits at another school, must complete and submit the Change of Program/Place of Training form to the VA.
Once Military and Veteran Services have processed your Enrollment Certification Request, you must verify your attendance each month you are enrolled in school. This will trigger your monthly payment. You can verify by phone 877-823-2378 or online at the VA WAVE (Chapters 31, 33, and 35 students are exempt).
State Grant/ Scholarship Programs
The application for the Illinois Veterans Grant can be obtained online. Once the certificate of eligibility for the Illinois Veterans Grant is received, provide a copy of this form to Military and Veterans Services mthrough the Enrollment Certification Form, which will need to be complete each and every semester the student wishes to use the benefit.
If the student is a member of the Illinois National Guard, he/she may be eligible to receive the Illinois National Guard Grant. (Illinois National Guard Grant application)
Review the eligibility for the MIA/POW Scholarship. If you believe that you qualify, please reach out to our office with any questions, or ISAC at 800-899-4722.