When Child Support Involves College Expenses

Last updated on August 14, 2026

An issue that often arises in child support proceedings during divorce or years later when the children are ready to attend college is whether the parents will or should be obligated to contribute toward college expenses. In Illinois, a number of appellate court cases have dramatically altered the landscape in these types of child support matters and can have significant financial consequences if you do not have an experienced advocate representing you.

What Illinois Law Says About College Expenses

Illinois is one of a limited number of states where divorced or unmarried parents can be legally required to contribute to a child’s college education. That obligation does not apply to married parents, which means the structure of your family directly affects what each parent may owe.

The authority for this comes from Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, codified at 750 ILCS 5/513. The statute calls this nonminor educational support, a term that refers to financial contributions that extend past the age when standard child support would otherwise end. A court may order one or both parents to contribute to tuition, housing, fees, books and other qualifying expenses for a child pursuing higher education.

This obligation has limits. Educational support under Section 513 generally ends when the child turns 23, though courts can extend it to age 25 in limited circumstances. A child’s academic standing and genuine effort toward completing their education also factor into whether support continues.

The UIUC Cap: Understanding The Limit On What Parents Can Be Required To Pay

Illinois law does not require parents to fund whatever school a child chooses. The statute caps a parent’s tuition and housing obligation at the equivalent cost for an in-state student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This limit is commonly referred to as the UIUC cap.

When a child attends a private university or an out-of-state school that costs more, the parent is not automatically on the hook for the difference. A court can order amounts above the cap, but only when good cause is shown. Relevant factors include the child’s academic record, each parent’s financial situation and whether both parents agreed to the school the child is attending.

Where the cap applies and when exceptions are warranted is one of the more consequential questions in these cases. How those arguments are framed and presented often determines the outcome.

What Expenses Are Covered Under Section 513

Section 513 covers a defined set of costs. Understanding what is included and what is not helps both parents know what is actually on the table. Covered expenses include:

  • Tuition and mandatory fees charged by the institution
  • Housing costs, whether on or off campus and meal plans associated with the student’s living arrangement
  • Medical expenses and health insurance during the period of education
  • Books and supplies required for coursework
  • Precollege expenses including application fees for up to five schools and the cost of up to two standardized tests such as the ACT or SAT

Expenses outside these categories, such as personal spending money, transportation or a car, are generally not covered. When parents disagree about what qualifies, those disputes often end up before a judge, which is why having clear guidance on these boundaries from the beginning matters.

Why Timing Matters In College Expense Cases

Section 513 has procedural requirements that are easy to miss and difficult to work around once they have passed. In most situations, a petition for educational support must be filed before the child turns 19. Missing that window can affect whether a parent can seek contribution at all.

If your child is approaching college age and no agreement or court order addressing these expenses is in place, reviewing your situation with an attorney now gives you the most options. Attorney Karayannis has handled a number of these cases and taken several to hearing. He understands both the procedural requirements and the substantive arguments that courts in Kane, DuPage, Cook and surrounding counties weigh when making these decisions.

The Experience To Protect Your Interests

Attorney Marios N. Karayannis has handled a number of child support cases involving payment of college expenses and has taken several to hearing. Therefore, he is well-acquainted with the most recent changes in Illinois law and how these cases may affect your case.

Contact Us For More Information About Child Support And College Expenses

If you find yourself in litigation with your ex-spouse concerning payment of college expenses for your children, please contact an experienced attorney at Karayannis Law Offices, LLC, by calling 630-326-4697 or sending us an email.

From our law office in Geneva, we represent parents in Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, DeKalb and McHenry counties and the surrounding areas.