Veteran Benefits Checklist

Checklist

 
  • Complete and submit the Admissions Application.
  • Take the PSC Placement Test (English Accuplacer and ALEKS Math Placement) for more information, contact Student Success Center testing at testing@prairiestate.edu
  • Contact Academic Advising at (708) 709-3506:
  • If you have official copies of your transcripts that show the last level of courses completed in English, Math, and Reading, you can take them to Academic Advising for course selection to possibly avoid taking the PSC Placement.

If you are a Transfer Student, have official copies of all previous transcripts. Submit a Program Evaluation Form to the Records & Registration Office to have previous credits evaluated.

Once Registration is complete, contact Financial Aid and Veteran Services:

Email: vetcenter@prairiestate.edu 

Appointments: https://calendly.com/ymmcghee


  • If you have never applied for VA benefits before, submit an application: VA Form 22-1990 (Application for VA Educational Benefits) or VA Form 22-5490 (Application for Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance).
  • If you have previously used your benefits, you must submit a VA Form 22-1995 (Change of Place/Training Form) or VA Form 22-5495 (Change of Place/Training Form for Dependents).
  • Veterans who were Illinois residents within six (6) months of entering Armed Forces and established residency in Illinois within six (6) months of separation from Armed Forces must complete the appropriate state documents (IVG, ING, or MIA/POW Applications).

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with PSC School Code (001640) as School Choice at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
  • Five to 7 days after FAFSA submission, check the Pioneer Portal or contact Financial Aid and Veteran Services to see what required documents if any need to be submitted to determine your eligibility for financial aid online,

Documents Needed to Apply for Military Benefits

  1. Member-4 copy of their DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for each period of service.
  2. DD-2384 (Notice of Basic Eligibility [NOBE]) from the Education Officer at their unit (National Guard and Reservist only).
  3. Marriage certificate, birth certificates, adoption decrees, guardianship papers, and/or proof of the applicant’s physical, mental or developmental disability. Verification of the federal 100 percent service-connected disability rating or, if the veteran is deceased, verification from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs that the veteran’s death is service-connected, or verification that the veteran has been determined by Congress to be an MIA/POW. (Dependents and spouses of Service-Connected Disabled Veterans).


  1. Official High School Transcript or G.E.D. on file at Records and Registration.
  2. Must be seeking an eligible degree or certificate at PSC.
  3. Must not be in federal student loan default.
  4. Must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen.
  5. Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  6. If selected for verification the following documents must be submitted:
    1. PSC Verification Worksheet
    2. Prior-Prior years’ Federal 1040's Entire Tax Return (all attachments, schedules, and W -2s) if the IRS information was not transferred directly from the IRS using the FA-DDX.
    3. Records of Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: If you claimed a foreign earned income exclusion on your taxes, you will need to submit copy of your IRS Form 1040 Schedule 1.
    4. Records of assets such as savings, investments, business and farm assets for all household members. This excludes small businesses with under 100 employees & family farms with the primary residence is attached.
    5. Child Support Received

** Spouse information is also needed if the FAFSA contributor (student or parent) is married or re-married.