The Illinois Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program (DEWD-TSP) was created under the Energy Transition Act to support the dependents of energy workers who lost jobs due to the closure or reduced operation of fossil fuel facilities. The scholarship covers full tuition and mandatory fees for one year at any Illinois public university or community college.
Despite strong potential to support education, economic stability, and community resilience, the program has seen very limited use since its launch. Our Status Update Policy Brief examines how the scholarship works, why participation has been low, and what changes could strengthen its impact. The Outreach Toolkit (see below) provides resources to close the awareness gap and increase scholarship use.
Drawing on interviews and data shared by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the policy brief outlines:
- How DEWD-TSP is structured and administered
- Program participation and spending since 2021
- Barriers to awareness, access, and renewal
- Policy opportunities to expand eligibility, clarify rules, and improve communication
- Recommendations for increasing utilization and aligning the scholarship with the goals of the Energy Transition Act
DEWD Outreach Toolkit
To help close the awareness gap and increase scholarship use, The Illinois Coal Workers & Communities Listening Project developed the DEWD Toolkit — a practical, ready‑to‑use set of outreach materials for agencies, schools, labor, and community organizations.
Who Should Use This Toolkit
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
- Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
- Labor unions and retiree organizations
- Energy companies (e.g., Vistra, NRG)
- Community‑based nonprofits
- Statewide nonprofits
- Community colleges and public universities
- Local coal‑community leaders and elected officials
Intended Audience
- Laid‑off and displaced energy workers
- Families and dependents of displaced workers
- Community leaders and educators
What’s Included
- Priority outreach list of school districts within 30 minutes of closed or reduced‑operation facilities
- Sample emails for:
- School districts
- Community leaders
- Families
- Plain‑language FAQ explaining eligibility, documentation, and deadlines
- Shareable graphics for social media and school websites
Note: The school district list is not exhaustive. If you know of a qualifying facility or closure not included, please contact us. We used this procedure to identify target schools.
Toolkit Downloads
- School District Outreach List (Excel / Google Sheet)
- FAQ: Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program
- Sample Email – School Districts
- Sample Email – Community Leaders
- Sample Email – Families
- Flier for Schools/Community Spaces/Social Media
Key Eligibility Clarifications
- Dependents remain eligible even if the displaced worker is now reemployed
- Eligible job losses include coal plants, gas plants, and coal mines
- Job loss must have occurred on or after September 15, 2016
- No proof of financial need is required beyond submitting an application
- Students may apply for undergraduate or graduate study and may receive the scholarship more than once.
Learn More & Apply
Full program details and application information are available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission: Displaced Energy Worker Dependent Transition Scholarship Program (DEWD‑TSP)
For questions about the toolkit or outreach support, please contact us at climate-jobs@illinois.edu.
About our Research
This research was conducted as part of the Illinois Coal Workers & Communities Listening Project, led by the Climate Jobs Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in collaboration with:
- University of Illinois Department of Urban & Regional Planning
- University of Illinois Extension
- University of Illinois Labor Education Program
- University of Illinois Humanities Research Institute
- Harlem Documentary Project
- Prairie Rivers Network
The project seeks to listen to and learn from Illinois coal workers, their families, and communities affected by mine and plant closures — preserving their stories and informing policies for a just and equitable transition.
We are exploring the effectiveness of Illinois policies meant to support these communities and workers. Stay tuned for status updates and analysis of other Illinois programs, such as the Energy Transition Community Grant program, the Coal to Solar and Storage program, the Displaced Energy Worker Bill of Rights, and more.