As a Veteran, you possess important skills and abilities such as technical skills, leadership skills, and the ability to work as a team member. Illinois values the contributions you have made and the skills you will bring to our state as an employee. Many programs are in place to assist you in finding the civilian job that is right for you and your family.
Scholarships for Veterans
If you find you need additional training to pursue the career of your choice, scholarships specifically for veterans are available. The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program pays tuition and certain fees at all Illinois state-supported colleges, universities and community colleges for Illinois residents. Guidelines require veterans to have been a resident of Illinois before entering the service, to have been in active duty for at least a year, and to return to Illinois within six months of discharge from the service. To learn more about scholarship opportunities, view information concerning the Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) Program available on the Illinois
College Zone 
website. The
Illinois Student Assistant Commission provides career information and assistance in scholarship searches. Additionally, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs site outlines additional
GI Educational Benefits .
iServe, Serving Those Who Have Served...iServed is a compilation of information pertinent to Veterans and their families.
Included are links to
Educational Opportunities and
Employment such as the Illinois Job Bank and Illinois Skills Match.
When Applying for EmploymentWhen applying for employment, capitalize on the unique skills you, as a veteran, bring to a workplace. The
Veterans Build America website provides a list of 10 Top Reasons to Hire Veterans. You may want to incorporate some of these benefits into your resume.
You may want to consider employment with the State of Illinois. One way Illinois shows the value they place on the contributions of veterans is through the State Government/Employment Preference. Preference is given in Central Management Services entrance examinations to honorably discharge veterans who served in times of hostilities and peacetime. Contact the Veterans Outreach Program for more information at (217)524-1313 or toll free at 1-800-643-8138.
Employment Support for SpousesOne consideration when relocating for employment is the job availability for a spouse. Assistance is available for veteran's spouses who are looking for employment. Two helpful sites for spouses are the
Military Spouses' Career Network and the VetJobs.com, Inc.
Spouse & Dependant Gateway .
Additional Web Sites of Particular Interest to Veterans Seeking Employment