DISPLACED ENERGY WORKER DEPENDENT TRANSITION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program

Welcome to the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program application.

Please read the important information here, and on our website, about the program and how to make sure your application is completed correctly before it is submitted. Before you start this application, it's a good idea to gather the documents you will need to prevent a delay in the application process. Refer to the Required Documentation and Completing the Application sections below for details. Your information will not be saved if you exit the application before completing and submitting it, and you will need to start over.

The scholarship pays tuition and fee costs at Illinois public universities or community colleges for a period equal to one calendar year, including a summer term, for undergraduate or graduate study. You do not need to be an Illinois resident at the time of enrollment; however, the award is limited to the cost of in-district and in-state tuition and fees. 

If you are a dependent of an eligible displaced energy worker who was laid off from a retiring power plant or closing coal mine, you may be eligible for this program.  To qualify, you must: 

1. be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen or meet the “undocumented student” criteria of the RISE Act.
2. be the natural child, legally adopted child or stepchild of an energy worker who lost employment due to the reduced operation or closure of a fossil fuel power plant or coal mine.  The reduced operation or closure must have occurred on or after September 15, 2016.
3. be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full- or part-time basis (at least 3 credit hours) at an Illinois public university or community college.
4. be deterred by financial considerations from completing an educational program at the Illinois public university or community college of choice, as shown by there being unmet need in your financial aid package.
5. maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by your college; and
6. establish satisfactory repayment arrangements if you are in default on any federal student loan.

If you are a noncitizen, or a person who is not a permanent resident of the United States, you may be eligible to apply for this program under the Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act, if you meet all of the following criteria:

1. you resided with your parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in Illinois.
2. you graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Illinois.
3. as of the date you graduated from high school or received the equivalent of high school diploma, you had attended school in Illinois for at least three (3) years.
4. by certifying this application, you will be providing an affidavit stating that you will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity you are eligible to do so; and
5.  you have not established a residence outside of Illinois.

Applicants who think they may qualify under the RISE Act can contact an ISAC Call Center Representative via e-mail at isac.studentservices@illinois.gov or phone at 800.899.ISAC (4722) with questions.

You must provide proof of the displaced energy worker’s loss of employment due to the reduced operation or closure of a fossil fuel power plant or coal mine. (The reduced operation or closure must have occurred on or after September 15, 2016.) This documentation must be provided through one of the acceptable forms listed below and uploaded as part of the application process. No other documentation will be accepted and the effective date of the separation from employment must be included.

Acceptable forms of documentation:

You will not be permitted to proceed through the application without uploading the required documentation. Acceptable uploaded files must have one of the following file extensions:  .pdf, .jpg, .jpeg, .doc, .docx. If you wish to upload more than one document, all documents will need to be compiled within one file. Make sure you have the proper documentation available before you begin the application.

Please note this application cannot be completed through your mobile or tablet device.  You must use a Wi-Fi-enabled desktop or laptop to complete the application.

Read and follow all instructions and prompts as you answer the questions. Once your completed application is submitted, we will send immediate confirmation to your e-mail address that your application has been received at ISAC.

The application must be completed and submitted on or before the deadline date(s) for the applicable term(s).

If you need to change your response(s) to any item(s) and/or update any information after your application has been submitted, you will need to provide the information to ISAC as outlined in the Changes to Application Data section of the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program page at isac.org.

Because you will be providing confidential information about yourself while completing this application, be sure to protect your personal data by closing the browser when you are finished. In addition, do not set a bookmark for application pages.

Get updates about the Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program and other college-planning information by subscribing to our Student e-Messaging service.