Your College Plan
Whether you are a high school student, considering going to college for the very first time, or taking classes to transfer, you can use the resources below to help plan, find and/or pay for college.
Planning for College
Planning for college starts early. The courses that you take in high school may affect the costs of a college education and the time it takes to graduate.
These are the courses that you should take in high school in order to start at one college after high school graduation and later transfer to another in order to complete a degree.
- 4 years of English (written and oral communications and literature)
- 3 years of social studies (history and government)
- 3 years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or computer programming)
- 3 years of science (laboratory sciences)
- 2 years of electives in foreign language, music, vocational education, or art
If you don’t meet these minimum requirements, community college courses can prepare you for admission.
Other resources you might find useful:
- Directory of Programs
- Mapping Your Future
- Prepare for My Future
- Illinois Career Resource Network
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Quarterly Online
- Employment Projections
- Study Skills assessments for online learners
- Is online learning a good option for you?
- Glossary of US Educational Terminology
- IPEDS Glossary
Finding a College
The Illinois Community College System covers the entire state with 48 colleges and one multi-community college center in 39 community college districts. Community colleges serve nearly one million Illinois residents each year in credit and noncredit courses and many more through their public service programs.
Community colleges are similar to each other and yet each college is unique. While this may appear to be a contradiction, it is not. Illinois community colleges share a common mission. They prepare people for college, for transfer to other colleges or universities, and for good paying jobs that demand high skills. Community colleges also provide adult, literacy, and continuing education and services. What makes each college unique is how the college responds to the communities it serves. The Illinois Community College System is coordinated by the Illinois Community College Board comprised of citizens appointed by the Governor. Locally elected boards of trustees* set policies that guide their colleges in achieving local and statewide goals. Within the System, organized groups represent students, faculty, trustees, staff, administrators, and college presidents, and all of these groups are actively involved in the decision-making process for the System. Colleges meet both local and statewide needs for education and workforce development through high-quality, affordable, accessible, and cost-effective programs and services.
*The Board of Trustees of the City Colleges of Chicago is appointed by the Mayor of Chicago.
Community College Locator – use this tool to enter your zip code to find out which community college district you live in.
Community College Contacts – use this document to see a list of the community college presidents and their contact information.
Community College Districts – use this document to view a map of the community colleges districts and counties.
List of the Community Colleges – use this document to see a list of all 48 public community colleges in Illinois and links to each college’s website.
Map of the Community Colleges – use this document to view of map of the public community colleges in Illinois.
System Facts – use this document to view a list of facts about the Illinois Community College System.
Paying for College
Once you’ve made the decision that you’re going to college, the other crucial questions are “How much will it cost?” and “How will I pay for it?”.
A college education is one of the major expenses that you will undertake and paying for college requires both planning and preparation. Costs vary from institution to institution. Fortunately, attending your local community college is one of the best bargains around. Community colleges have significantly lower tuition and fees than public universities or private institutions.
There are a variety of sources of money available to pay for college. Grants, scholarships and loans are available from the federal government, the State of Illinois, and your local community college. You can increase your chances of receiving financial aid by taking the time to explore all your options, planning carefully, and applying early in the college selection process.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is an agency of the State of Illinois that administers scholarship, grant, loan, and prepaid tuition programs. Their mission is to help you plan for and finance your college education. The website contains a lot of good information and we highly recommend that you spend time exploring it. Other resources that might be useful appear below.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Perkins Loan
- Federal Plus Loan Program
- Federal Stafford Loan Program
- Federal Student Aid (FSA)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- FFELP or Federal Direct Loans
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- FTC Scholarships Scam Site
- Mapping Your Future
- Monetary Award Program (MAP)
- Resources & Funding for Independent Living
- Scholarships & Grants for Students with Disabilities