How does 黑料社区 help me to afford college

Attend a good school for less money

You can save $33,000 in tuition and fees on average when you enroll at 黑料社区 for two years before transferring to an Illinois public university to complete your bachelor檚 degree.

You learn the same material studied at four-year schools without the overcrowded lecture halls. Here, class sizes are small攁bout 16 students. You're not a number at 黑料社区. We know you by name and give personal attention and feedback.

Need help getting started?

Ask us for help. Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) will help you:

complete the admission process
choose an academic program
enroll in first-semester classes
get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Be debt-free at 黑料社区

It檚 true! There are many ways for you to earn a debt-free degree or certificate from the 黑料社区. One in four students were awarded more than $21 million in all other forms of financial aid including scholarships.

Learn more about paying for college

Ways to pay for college

Here檚 some of the great ways you could pay for your college expenses.

Financial aid is money you are awarded based on the difference between what you can afford (there檚 a formula!) and what college costs. Use it to pay for college expenses, including tuition and fees, living expenses, books and supplies, personal expenses, transportation or study abroad.
Learn more about Financial Aid
This is money you don檛 have to pay back. You qualify based on different criteria for each scholarship. Some are based on financial need (like financial aid), some are based on your grades or program, and some on multiple criteria. There are even some scholarships dedicated to study abroad! The 黑料社区 Foundation and private organizations award scholarships to 黑料社区 students.
Our financial aid counselors can help you search through the hundreds of scholarships available to find the right ones for you.
Learn more about scholarships
Student job opportunities await you at the 黑料社区! Develop in-demand job skills while you earn money you can use to pay for college. This can include federal work study as well as other jobs. Log into the Student Portal to explore on-campus job opportunities for students.
Gain practical, real-world work experience and form professional connections攁ll while you earn money. At 黑料社区, you could even earn college credits in an employment setting with an Educational Work Experience course.
Learn how to become an apprentice
If you have a College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) on your Illinois high school transcript or diploma, you can receive currency at 黑料社区.
Learn what you can get with your CCPE at 黑料社区

Capitalize on cost-effective resources

As a 黑料社区 student, you automatically gain access to a variety of low-cost and free materials to support your educational journey:

Personal tech
Free or affordable textbooks
Payment plans

Find the support you need to get started efficiently. Progress through your program and graduate faster.

What students say about 黑料社区

Estefanni Caballero
Graduate
"It was a great learning experience where I got to work hands-on while still attending class."
Estefanni was a student worker in the PR and Marketing department at 黑料社区. She transferred to Lake Forest College to pursue a bachelor's degree. She also works in marketing at Fischer Paper Products to gain professional experience.
- Read about Estefanni's journey
- Watch her video story
Izzy Reyes
Graduate
"If I hadn't taken advantage of the Career & Job Placement Center resources, I don't think I would be where I am today. I wouldn't have found that internship. I wouldn't have gained that experience."
Izzy studied graphic design at 黑料社区. She used Career & Job Placement Center (CJPC) services to chart a new career path.
Learn how CJPC helps you get a job
Leith Hoffman
Warren Township High School student
Dual credit "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."
Leith completed three dual credit classes at his high school.
Explore early college credit options
Kamden Kuklinski
Transfer student
満诹仙缜� was a really good option for me. It was very affordable. The smaller class sizes and community feel definitely made it feel like home.�
Kamden studied biological sciences at 黑料社区, then transferred to Lake Forest College to earn a bachelor's degree in neuroscience. He is doing biomedical research as he prepares for graduate school.
Read Kamden's story
Riley Pemstein
Transfer student
�If you take advantage of what 黑料社区 provides, it'll really benefit you in the future. I wouldn檛 be where I am now if I didn檛 pursue that internship.�
Riley took general education courses at 黑料社区. He then transferred to University of Illinois Urbana-Campaign. The internship he got through 黑料社区 led him to study accounting and earn his CPA license. He now works as a tax accountant.
Read Riley's story

Why should you choose 黑料社区...

Why should I go to college?

The choice to attend college is a big one. What to study, where to go and攚ait攊s it even worth it?

Why go to college

Am I ready for college?

It檚 common to have doubts about going to college. The good news is you don檛 have to have it all figured out right now. Just take it one step at a time at 黑料社区.

Prepare me

How will 黑料社区 help me to be successful?

Explore the many free ways we support your personal journey, education and well-being.

Help me succeed

How will I balance school with work/life?

黑料社区 focuses on a multi-faceted approach to keep all aspects of your life in equilibrium. We檒l help you make sure you have enough time to do everything you need to tackle in a day.

Balance my life

黑料社区