Divorce and College Tuition in Illinois
Let’s be honest—college is expensive. Even at in-state schools, families can easily be looking at $30,000 or more per year for tuition, books, housing, and more. And while most parents want to support their kids’ futures, that kind of price tag can lead to some serious stress—especially for divorced parents who don’t always see eye to eye.
Here’s something that might surprise you: in Illinois, divorced parents can be legally required to help pay for a child’s college education, even after the child turns 18. Yes, you read that right.
Why Can Divorced Parents Be Ordered to Pay for College?
Illinois family law is built around one major goal: minimizing the negative impact of divorce on kids. The courts try to ensure that children of divorced parents have the same opportunities they might have had if their parents stayed together—including higher education.
So while married parents can choose not to contribute to college, divorced parents might not have that luxury.
How Does the Court Decide Who Pays?
Before ordering anyone to start writing checks, the judge will take a close look at everyone’s financial picture, including:
Each parent’s income, savings, and retirement plans
Whether the child has scholarships, grants, or a job
The overall cost of the school the child is attending
The law also sets a cap on how much parents can be required to pay. That limit is based on the annual cost of tuition, room, and board at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign—currently one of the priciest public universities in the state.
What About the Student’s Responsibilities?
If a child is receiving court-ordered support for college, it’s not a free ride. They must:
Maintain at least a C average
Share academic records with both parents
Finish their education by age 23 or 25, depending on the case
Stay unmarried and not yet have a bachelor’s degree
Once any of those factors change, the support obligation can end.
What If You Don’t Want to Help Pay?
We get it—college isn’t cheap, and not every parent agrees that it’s a worthwhile investment. Some parents believe their child should work their way through school or join the military first. And while those are valid personal beliefs, they may not carry legal weight.
If the court orders you to contribute, you’re legally obligated to comply. Ignoring a court order can lead to serious consequences—fines, sanctions, even jail time in extreme cases.
Need Help Navigating College Support Obligations?
Whether you’re trying to secure college support from your child’s other parent or you’ve just been hit with a request you weren’t expecting, it’s important to know your rights—and your responsibilities.
Lake County family law attorney, Alan Lenczycki, will help parents in navigate these complex issues with confidence and clarity. He will work with you to make sure the law is applied fairly so you can protect your finances and your relationship with your child. Contact him today to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
