Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship (DEWD)

DEWD serves natural, adopted, or stepchildren of workers displaced by the reduced operation or closure of an eligible fossil-fuel plant or coal mine in Illinois. The job loss must have occurred on or after September 15, 2016, and the worker must meet the state’s residency and employment rules. It is not a general grant for anyone laid off in the energy sector.

Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, enrolled or accepted for at least three credits at an Illinois public university or community college, and show unmet financial need. The page also requires coordination with FAFSA. Gather proof of relationship, employment and displacement dates, worksite, and enrollment before applying so the file is complete.

The program may cover tuition and mandatory fees according to need and appropriated funding; there is no flat amount guaranteed to every student. ISAC publishes term-specific dates, and 2026–27 priority deadlines for the full year may have passed, while later-term consideration depends on current dates and remaining funds. Check the live calendar before applying.

The page separates this award from other programs and publishes eligibility updates that may change by year. Applicants must document family relationship and the worker’s qualifying displacement, along with unmet need. If a facility or employer changed names, ask ISAC what records it accepts to establish the site and exact dates.

To compare this benefit with other options, ask financial aid for an estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and excluded expenses. Confirm whether it renews annually, what GPA or course load it requires, and whom to contact if the student account does not show the payment. Keep award letters and receipts until the school confirms disbursement.

Official program information and application