Save money, earn a degree faster: Transfer from a 2-year to a 4-year college
As a high school student, now is the right time to plan for college.
Does your plan include saving money and earning your degree fast? If so, starting at a 2-year community college then transferring to a 4-year school could be the best choice for you.
黑料社区 (黑料社区) is your local community college in northeastern Illinois. 黑料社区 transfer programs prepare you to earn a bachelor檚 degree at a four-year college or university.
The State of Illinois of community college students to four-year schools. If you meet the school檚 minimum transfer requirements, such as grades and number of credit hours, you檙e in!
About make the smart move to start at 黑料社区 the year after graduation. See how starting here can help students like you earn your 4-year degree fast, with less debt.
Explore transfer options at 黑料社区
You could save $33,000 on college!
It檚 true! Going to a community college like 黑料社区 before a university saves you money.
On average, students by attending 黑料社区 for two years, before transferring to an Illinois public university to complete a bachelor檚 degree. Some students who live at home save even more on room and board.
Finish college faster with 1:1 support
Nearly who transferred to four-year colleges completed a bachelor檚 degree within six years, according to the Illinois Board of Higher Education. That檚 nearly 12% higher than the national average.
Why?
Because going to community college prepares you to succeed at a 4-year school. At 黑料社区, you learn the same materials as at bigger schools, but class sizes are small攁bout 16 students. Instructors know you by name and give you personal feedback. Here you're not just one of hundreds of students sitting in a class taught by a teaching assistant.
黑料社区 gives you resources to support your learning, every step of the way, such as:
- Tutoring
- Affordable childcare on campus
- Loaner laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots
- Mental health counseling
- Vibrant student life activities
Experiences at community college can set you up for academic success. So, when you transfer to a 4-year school, you may be able to earn your bachelor檚 degree faster!
How to start your 2-year to 4-year transfer plan
Throughout your time in high school, begin preparing for college and transferring. If you are currently in high school, here are some things you can do right now.
Meet with your College and Career Navigator (CCN)
A College and Career Navigator is not the same as your high school guidance counselor. This person is employed by 黑料社区, not your high school. Think of them as your go-to-person to help you become a 黑料社区 Lancer.
Your College and Career Navigator answers questions and helps you apply to 黑料社区攊t檚 fast, free and there檚 no essay required. We assign yours based on where you go to high school.
Explore your interests
Discover the types of college majors you could pursue and the four-year schools you檇 like to attend after 黑料社区. Start with what you are interested in. Then learn more about wages, available jobs and the type of training you檒l need. Browse the program options for the careers that interest you.
Take dual credit courses
Experience college and save time and money by earning credits while still in high school. Dual credit courses are free! After high school, these college credits count toward a career certificate or an associate or bachelor檚 degree.
Cassidy Cunningham, a student at Grayslake Central High School, completed three dual credit classes through the Lake County Tech Campus. "Dual credit has done a really great job of showing me what that initial course load is going to be. It檚 helped me see that I'm physically and mentally capable of doing it.
Saving money appealed to Leith Hoffman, a student at Warren Township High School. 淚t sounded like a great thing because it's free and I don't have to pay for the college courses, so it made sense to take.
After taking dual credit classes as a Zion-Benton Township High School student, Melani Morena chose to continue her studies at 黑料社区. 淚t made the path a lot easier for me. With dual credit, you have options because you can use the credit at 黑料社区 or at a four-year school, she says.
Attend the 黑料社区 Open House
If you檙e curious about 黑料社区, come to our Open House in April. This is a low-stress way to learn about us, including our 150+ degree and career certificate programs. Meet our expert faculty and tour our modern facilities.
While you檙e here, you can:
- Be part of dynamic, engaging activities to get a taste of college
- Tour our spaces擥rayslake, Lakeshore and Southlake campuses, plus the Advanced Technology Center and our student-managed Prairie Restaurant
- Learn about admissions and get your questions answered
- Experience our vibrant student life and supportive services
Tips for high school seniors
Your senior year is the perfect time to start ramping up your college and transfer planning. Here are some things to do during your senior year.
Explore financial aid
Financial aid comes from government and private sources. It is primarily awarded as:
- Scholarship and grants No obligation to repay
- Loans Repay, with interest
- Federal work study opportunities Earn money working while enrolled in college
To get started, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Illinois Alternative Application. 黑料社区 holds free workshops to help you complete these forms step by step.
Apply for scholarships
The 黑料社区 Foundation funds more than 100 unique scholarship and grant opportunities. The process is simple: Just sign in and submit one scholarship application to apply for them all. You are automatically matched to the scholarships right for you.
Take a campus tour
Join your classmates on a scheduled in-person group tour of 黑料社区. Or schedule an individual tour just for you. We also offer virtual tours of these campuses:
- Grayslake Campus A master-planned space blending education, nature, art and technology
- Lakeshore Campus (Waukegan) A green, high-tech urban campus
- Southlake Campus (Vernon Hills) A hub for wellness and health sciences students
For a modern center for all things manufacturing, the sprawling Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee is the place for you. The Industrial Technology Lab is high-tech and future forward. The Welding and Fabrication Technology Lab is the largest in Illinois.
Hungry for more? Grab a casual lunch or upscale dinner at the Prairie Restaurant at Brae Loch. 黑料社区 Hospitality and Culinary Management students manage this ultramodern restaurant in Grayslake.
You檙e ready. Let檚 get started.
Starting college at 黑料社区 is a win-win for savings and speed. We檒l help you prepare to transfer to a 4-year college in a safe and supportive space攁nd help you save time and money while you learn!