EIU Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program

We are honored to assist veterans and their families in their journey to complete a bachelor's degree and are pleased to welcome them to Eastern Illinois University. Designed to take maximum advantage of the training received through their military service, as well as accepting all college credits previously earned through regionally accredited universities and colleges, the Interdisciplinary Studies Program makes it possible to complete the degree without ever having to start over again.

EIU is a military friendly institution with support services available to facilitate the academic endeavors of active duty personnel and veterans. Please contact Veterans Services via email or by phone at 217-581-7888.

When applying to the Interdisciplinary Studies degree program, active duty military personnel and veterans should submit, with the application form, their military transcript in addition to any transcripts from colleges or universities they have attended. The JST (Joint Services Transcript) is the transcript service for soldiers and veterans of the Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Navy. For information on how to request a JST transcript, visit the ACE website. In addition, soldiers and veterans who have attended the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) should have an official transcript sent to Eastern Illinois University.

Other Important Links For Military/Veterans

• Guaranteed Tuition Rate Plan
• Students Called to Active Duty or Deployed
• Veterans Services at EIU

Veteran’s Benefits

Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31 U.S. Code)
Vocational Rehabilitation is a comprehensive educational program administered by the VA, open to veterans with a compensable, service-connected disability. A monthly stipend is awarded along with all tuition and fees, as well as necessary tools or supplies. Contact Veteran Services for more information.

Post-Viet Nam Era Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32 U.S. Code)
Individuals who contributed to the VEAP while in the service may be eligible to receive a monthly stipend while attending college. Contact Veteran Services for details.

Dependent Educational Assistance (Chapter 35 U.S. Code)
Dependent Educational Assistance is available for widows, widowers, and children of veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition or veterans who carry a permanent and total disability. Contact Veteran Services for details.

Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606 U.S. Code)
Members of Military Reserve Units should contact their units for eligibility requirements. Applications may be obtained at Veteran Services.

Illinois Veteran Grant
Any person who served at least one full year of full-time active duty in the United States Armed Forces, received an honorable discharge, and resided in Illinois six months before and after active duty service is eligible to apply. A recipient may not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant. A member of the Illinois National Guard or a Reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States who meets the eligibility requirements is considered a qualified applicant for the Illinois Veteran Grant program. More information and application can be found online at www.collegezone.com. Letters of eligibility should be sent to the Veteran Services Office.

MIA/POW Scholarship
Any spouse, natural child, legally adopted child, or any step-child of a veteran or service person who has been declared by the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Veterans’ Administration to be a prisoner of war, missing-in-action, deceased as a result of a service-connected disability, or permanently disabled from service-connected causes with 100% disability and who, at the time of entering service, was an Illinois resident or was an Illinois resident within six months of entering service, may be eligible for the scholarship. Applications may be obtained at Veteran Services.

Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty (Chapter 30 U.S. Code)
Eastern Illinois University is an approved institution for Veterans’ Affairs benefit programs. Applications may be obtained at Veteran Services.