The Veterans Services Office at College of DuPage is committed to supporting veterans, military personnel, and their families throughout their academic journey. We provide a welcoming environment and assistance to help you succeed both in and out of the classroom. Start your education at COD with military benefits available to veterans and service members.
If you're already a student on campus, our Veterans Lounge, located in Student Services Center (SSC) 3379, offers a dedicated space with a study area, computers, and a welcoming environment where you can connect and recharge. Veterans Services also hosts a variety of programs and events designed to build community and support your personal and academic growth. Whether you're just starting or continuing your education, Veterans Services is here to help you every step of the way.
Your Home Base on Campus
Veterans Services offers a range of support to help you succeed. Our services include assistance with processing education benefits and providing information on veteran-specific scholarships, internships, and employment opportunities. We also offer the VA Work-Study Program and on-campus employment opportunities for students using VA education benefits.
Your military transcript can help you receive academic credit for training completed while in the service.
As of March 1, 2013, AARTS (Army transcript), SMART (Navy transcript) and Coast Guard Institute Transcript have transitioned to the Joint Services Transcript (JST). The JST is a uniform transcript of all military training and experience for service members of all branches, except the Air Force, which has its own, regionally accredited transcript.
College of DuPage accepts a variety of veteran education benefits, including Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill®), Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), Chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance), and more. View a full of list of veteran benefits.
Veterans Services maintains a list of internships, career mentoring programs and job opportunities exclusively for veterans and military personnel.
Chaps Get Hired Job Board
In addition to finding postings exclusively for College of DuPage students, alumni and community members on Chaps Get Hired, you can search the Jobs Central® national job board and the Intern Central® national internship board to find many opportunities in one spot.
VA Work Study
The Veterans Service Office hires student veterans as receptionists to support fellow veterans on their educational journey.
Internships
Scholarships can extend the life of military education benefits and ease the burden of college costs. College of DuPage offers over 120 scholarships. Veterans are highly encouraged to apply for Veteran specific and program specific scholarships.
- Downers Grove VFW Book Scholarship
- Betty and Ron Krupp Veterans Fund
- Jim Wolfson Memorial Scholarship
- Patriot Scholarship
- The Attard Family Endowed Scholarship for Veterans
- Veterans Textbook Scholarship
College of DuPage Scholarship Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester Scholarship applications accepted Feb. 1 through April 15.
- Spring Semester Scholarship applications accepted Sept 15 through Nov. 1.
Veterans Services Events On Campus
Students utilizing military education benefits are held to the same academic standards as all College of DuPage students. All students are monitored for satisfactory academic progress regardless of their eligibility or intent to receive military education benefits. The official academic record is reviewed each semester to determine compliance with the established Standards of Academic Progress.
To maintain satisfactory academic status, students must maintain a cumulative College of DuPage grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above to avoid being placed on academic probation. Failure to do so will result in consequences to academic status, enrollment eligibility and eligibility to receive military education benefits. Depending on the academic status, military education benefits cannot be certified until a permit to enroll is approved, appeal is approved, the appealed term GPA reaches 2.0 or the cumulative GPA reaches 2.0.
Standards of Academic Progress Policy and Procedures
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Programs
College of DuPage partners with local ROTC programs. If you have any questions, please contact the point of contact at the respective school.
Air Force: University of Chicago
SSgt Alexandria Burton, NCOIC, Administration Management
Air Force ROTC DET 195
Phone: (815) 904-5613
Email: aburton3@uchicago.edu, alexandria.burton.1@us.af.mil
Army Wheaton College
Nate Lalone,Scholarship and Enrollment Officer
Department of Military Science – ROTC
Rolling Thunder Battalion
Phone: 630.752.5367
Email: nathaniel.lalone@wheaton.edu
More Ways We Support You
College of DuPage provides a wide range of services designed to support all students in achieving academic success. Veterans are especially encouraged to reach out to dedicated support services to help ensure a smooth and successful transition to college life and completion of their studies.
- Academic Advising
- Career Services
- Center for Access and Accommodations
- Financial Aid
- Tutoring and Academic Support Center
- Fuel Pantry
- Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) Program
Thomas McInerney, PSS (on-campus the second and fourth Thursday of each month)
Phone: (312) 522-2940
Email: Thomas.McInerney@va.gov - Student Veterans Association
The Student Veterans of America Association strives to create a community of camaraderie and support for Veterans on campus. The Student Veterans Association meets in the Veterans Lounge located in the Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3379. Contact Sarah Burfield at burfields@cod.edu for more information.
DuPage County
- DuPage County Veterans Assistance Commission- The mission of the Veterans Assistance Commission is to provide temporary and supportive financial assistance to eligible Veterans and their families and to assist in filing VA Federal Claim.
State of Illinois
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission- ISAC is your primary resource for questions regarding the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) and the Illinois National Guard Grant (ING Grant).
- Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- GI Bill Hotline
Phone: 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551) - VA Benefits Hotline
Phone: 800-827-1000 - VA Benefits User Guide
- Making the Connection (Mental Health)
Local Organizations
- Illinois Joining Forces- Illinois Joining Forces helps Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) easily navigate the services and resources available.
- Road Home Program- The Road Home Program is dedicated to the mental health and wellness of veterans, service members, members of the National Guard, reservists and families at no cost and regardless of discharge status.
- Operation Support Our Troops- OSOT supports the morale and well-being of American forces by providing comfort, resources and education to them and their families both while they are deployed and after their return.
- Allen Force- Allen Force assists veterans who are injured, visibly or invisibly, through positive health and fitness training and social networking.
- Aurora Vet Center- Vet Centers can offer confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting.
- Support Over Stigma- Support Over Stigma (SoS) is dedicated to saving the lives of military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families by providing essential tools and resources to overcome mental health challenges.
- Blue Star Families- Blue Star Families is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering military and Veteran families by fostering connections and providing resources to navigate the unique challenges of military life.
Supporting Military-Connected Students
To assist faculty and staff in working more effectively with military-connected students, we've created a list of resources and frequently asked questions to support your work with military-connected students.
Contact Information
Veterans Services
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3379
(630) 942-3814
Email: veterans@cod.edu
Fax: (630) 942-4991