College of DuPage proudly welcomes service members, veterans, and their families. We are dedicated to supporting their transition from military service to student life and fostering meaningful connections between student veterans, faculty, and staff.
Military-connected students bring valuable life experience, maturity, and discipline to the classroom. However, they may also face unique challenges while navigating civilian and academic life—often while balancing school, work, and family responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help faculty and staff better understand military culture and the needs of this student population, we recommend exploring the VA College Toolkit, which offers practical guidance and tips. We've also answered frequently asked questions below to support your work with military-connected students.
A military-connected student includes anyone who falls into one or more of the following categories:
- Currently Serving: Active Duty, Reserves or National Guard
- Veterans: Any individual with prior military service, regardless of length of service, branch, or discharge status
- Family Members (Dependents): Spouse, Natural child, Stepchild, Adopted child
Many military-connected students continue to serve while attending college and may be required to miss class for Active Duty, Annual Training, or Monthly Drill obligations. These are mandatory military commitments.
It is the student’s responsibility to inform instructors of upcoming absences and coordinate makeup work.
According to Illinois law (330 ILCS 60/5.2), “a service member enrolled in an institution of higher learning who is unable, because of his or her military service, to attend classes on a particular day or days has the right to be excused and to reschedule a course examination administered on such day or days. The faculty and administrative officials shall make available to the service member an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination he or she has missed because of his or her military service.”
If a student informs you of a military-related absence, please direct them to complete the Military Absence Notification Form.
To learn more about ongoing military events, contact Veterans Specialist Assistant, Sarah Burfield at burfields@cod.edu or (630) 942-4526.
Contact Information
Veterans Services
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3379
(630) 942-3814
Email: veterans@cod.edu
Fax: (630) 942-4991