Sorry if this has been asked already but I was wondering if I could use the Illinois Veteran's Grant for a distance learning degree from an Illinois college. I can provide my parents' address for proof of legal residency in Illinois. I am trying to find a way that I can stay here in Madison, WI, and use my Illinois benefits without having to relocate. Money is a little tight and I just picked up a part time job (although I'm working nearly 40 hrs/wk) at Home Depot. They want me to work 90 days before they allow me to relocate to an Illinois store.
What I'd like to do is use the veteran's scholarship to pay for school, and use the GI Bill and other various grants, along with VA disability and unemployment (if I can collect it) to supplement my income from Home Depot. I have 90+ credits towards my BSAST with Excelsior college, and was hoping to enroll in U of I Urbana-Champagne, but I missed the application period for Fall '09. I don't know how many credits U of I will give me. If I can do distance learning for now to earn credits that would later apply to my U of I degree while I put away money so that I can relocate to U of I at the next available application period... that would be great.
Essentially I'm just trying to have the best possible quality of life for my family (wife and stepson) and I while I finish my degree.