IDHS Single Parent Scholarship Program
College & Education · Illinois · Free
State-funded financial aid for low-income single parents attending approved Illinois colleges, covering tuition and fees up to $5,000 per year. The program is administered through local DHS offices and requires applicants to be custodial single parents enrolled at least half-time at an approved Illinois institution. Fathers who are primary custodians pursuing a degree can call 800-843-6154 or visit a local DHS office to learn about eligibility and application procedures.
About College & Education for Fathers
Education resources for fathers include financial aid, adult education, workforce training, and college programs with on-site childcare. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the gateway to Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and state aid. Pell Grants provide up to approximately $7,000 per year to low-income students and don't require repayment. GED and HiSET programs operate in every state through adult education providers, often free. Community colleges offer lower-cost two-year degrees and certificate programs in high-demand trades. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds training for eligible adults and dislocated workers. For fathers returning to school, on-campus childcare (often subsidized through the CCAMPIS grant), emergency aid funds, and single-parent scholarships make enrollment feasible. This directory covers state FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education programs, and single-dad scholarships.
College & Education in Illinois
Illinois handles family law through circuit courts in each of its 23 judicial circuits, with Cook County running its own Domestic Relations Division. The Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. Chicago dominates the state; downstate metros include Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, and Peoria. Legal Aid Chicago (formerly CVLS) and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid cover most of the state for low-income fathers.