Addresses shortage of engineering talent, puts up to $60,000 toward student loan debt
State Senator Darby Hills is highlighting a new student loan repayment initiative from the Illinois Department of Transportation aimed at helping recruit and retain young engineering talent in Illinois.
The new Higher Education Student Loan Repayment Assistance for Engineers Pilot Program will provide up to $60,000 in student loan repayment assistance for eligible civil engineers who begin working at IDOT. Under the program, participants may receive up to $15,000 annually after working continuously at the department for four years.
Hills said the initiative is designed to help address workforce shortages in the engineering field while encouraging more graduates to pursue careers that support Illinois’ infrastructure and transportation systems.
Eligible engineers must be hired by IDOT on or after July 1, 2024, and qualifying positions will be identified in job postings based on staffing needs within the department.
The program comes as Illinois continues investing in major infrastructure improvements through the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan and ongoing federal infrastructure funding, increasing demand for engineers across the state.
According to industry data, the engineering profession continues to face workforce shortages nationwide as retirements outpace the number of graduates entering the field. The new repayment assistance pilot program is intended to make public sector engineering careers more competitive and accessible for recent graduates facing significant student loan debt.
Additional information about qualifying positions and eligibility is available through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
For more information, please contact DOT.Recruitment@illinois.gov.