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Date: 09/06/2025

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  3. Child support and child care
  4. Educational expenses for college students basics

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Educational expenses for college students basics Guide

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Parents of a child 18 years or older may still need to pay child support if the child:

  • Is 19 years or younger and still in high school;
  • Has a mental or physical disability; or
  • Is attending post-high school education.
     

A parent receiving support can petition for educational expenses from the paying parent if:

  • They are divorced or
  • The parent was never married to the other parent. If the parents were never married, then parentage of the child must be established. For more information on parentage, please read Parentage basics.

Learn more about obtaining education expenses for college students from the other parent.

Where can a parent learn more about child support generally?
Can parents of children 18 years or older be ordered to pay for college expenses?
Does the judge have to order college educational expenses to be paid?
What are college educational expenses that can be paid?
Is there a limit on the college educational expenses to be paid?
How long will the child support for college educational expenses continue?
When asking for a college educational expense order, do the parents and child have to provide information on their finances to the judge?
How does a parent ask for the paying parent to provide college expenses for their child?
Can a parent be reimbursed by the paying parent for college expenses they’ve already paid for their child?
Should you get a lawyer to help you obtain college educational expenses for your child?
Last full review by a subject matter expert
August 18, 2024
Last revised by staff
August 18, 2024

About our legal information

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Getting college educational expenses as child support (Cook county)

Forms

Petition for educational expenses - Cook County Blank form
Use this form to ask the judge to make the other parent pay educational expenses for your child who is 18 or older.

Learn more

Educational expenses for college students common questions

Worried about doing this on your own?  You may be able to get free legal help.

Apply Online

Take action

Getting college educational expenses as child support (Cook county)

Forms

Petition for educational expenses - Cook County Blank form
Use this form to ask the judge to make the other parent pay educational expenses for your child who is 18 or older.

Learn more

Educational expenses for college students common questions
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© 2025 Illinois Legal Aid Online. 
All rights reserved.
 
ILAO is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ILAO's tax identification number is 20-2917133.