When your child heads to college, child support doesn’t automatically stop. In Illinois, support may continue past age 18 if your child pursues higher education. It’s important to understand how enrollment can affect the support you’re paying or receiving.
Support may continue after high school graduation
In Illinois, child support usually ends when a child turns 18 or graduates high school—whichever comes later. But if your child enrolls in college, the court may order one or both parents to contribute to educational expenses. This is called non-minor support and can include tuition, books, housing, and other costs.
The court considers several factors when deciding if parents should help pay. These include your financial resources, your child’s academic performance, and the standard of living the child would have had if the parents stayed together. Both parents may be required to provide income information for this decision.
What counts as college enrollment?
Your child must be enrolled in an accredited institution and working toward a degree. Full-time enrollment is common, but the court can still require support for part-time students depending on the situation. Your child also needs to maintain good academic standing, usually a “C” average or higher.
Support can cover community college, four-year universities, or even trade schools. However, the court won’t order parents to pay for unusually expensive programs if more affordable options are available.
How long can support continue?
Non-minor support usually ends when the student receives a bachelor’s degree, marries, or turns 23—whichever happens first. In some cases, support might continue until age 25 if the court finds it reasonable.
Parents can also agree on how to split education expenses through a court-approved arrangement. This gives more control over how costs are shared and what expenses are included.
College can change what child support looks like, but it doesn’t mean you’re on your own. Courts in Illinois aim to balance fairness and educational opportunity. Knowing how enrollment affects your obligations helps you prepare and avoid surprises.
