Application Process

1. Click here to be directed to the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Veterans' Dependents Scholarship Application
2. Scroll down and select MIA/POW button.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the "Start Application" button.
4. Read Campus Requirements/Steps below.

Eligibility

1. Must be the spouse or child of a veteran or servicemember who is a prisoner of war, MIA, has passed as the result of a service-connected disability, or is permanently disabled from service-connected causes.
2. The veteran/service member must also meet additional Illinois resident criteria.
   1. The veteran must have been an Illinois resident at the time of entering Active military service
   2. Or an Illinois resident within six months after entering Active military service,
   3. Or a resident of Illinois for at least 15 consecutive years after entering active duty as of the date of application.
   4. The veteran/service member must also meet additional Illinois resident criteria.

Covered Costs 

1. Tuition:  (based on a point system with a maximum of 120 points)
2. An eligible dependent is entitled to full payment of tuition and mandatory fees to any Illinois state supported college or university.
3. A mandatory fee is a charge assessed by an institution to each and every full-time student for each term.  Application, graduation, laboratory, breakage, add/drop fees, online or distance education fees, and program administrative fees for out-of-state or foreign study are specifically excluded.
4. This program does not cover any costs associated with housing.

Campus Requirement/Steps

1. Complete the Deceased, Disabled, and MIA/POW Scholarship online application (see Application Process).
2. Allow four to six weeks for processing and wait for a response.
3. The response will be provided via the email provided in the application.  The email includes the link to access your eligibility letter.
4. Submit a copy of your eligibility letter to Military and Veteran Services. The letter can be brought in-person to the Military and Veteran Resource Center, located on the second floor of the Morris University Center in Room 2055, or scanned and emailed to veteranservices@siue.edu.
5. If you do not have your eligibility letter by the first payment due date, submit your confirmation of application to the Office of Military and Veteran Resources.
6. On-campus housing payments must be made by the due date, even if eligibility is pending.
7. Scholarship processing varies based on enrollment status:
   1. New students: Submit a copy of your eligibility letter to Military and Veteran Services no later than two months after the add/drop period ends.
   2. New students who become eligible later: If you become eligible more than two months after the add/drop period, you may request reimbursement within two months after the term ends.
   3. Returning students who attended the previous semester (spring or fall): Your scholarship will be automatically renewed, but you should verify it appears correctly in your account at the start of each semester.
   4. Returning students who skipped a semester (not including summer): Notify the Financial Aid Office to reinstate your eligibility. You have up to two months after the add/drop period ends to request reimbursement.

Link to Full IDVA Benefit Description

https://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/services%20benefits/education/Pages/MIA%20POW-Scholarship.aspx