| You live in Illinois and you've always dreamed of going | | | | grades. If you want to go on to college, you can prove |
| to college, but the reality of leaving home leaves you | | | | yourself in a community college by getting good |
| as cold as Lake Michigan in January. It may be that a | | | | grades there. Then, a four-year school will know you |
| two-year college might be a better choice for you. | | | | are capable of getting good grades and are |
| Illinois has a huge variety of two-year schools that | | | | committed to your education. |
| might fill precisely what you need and want. Illinois has | | | | ---You don't have the money. Though there are many |
| 49 community colleges serving 40 districts, so chances | | | | loan, grant and scholarship programs available, some |
| are there's a college within commuting distance to you. | | | | students simply don't want to take out a loan that |
| In fact, Illinois is the home of the first two-year college | | | | they'll spend years re-paying. Four-year colleges are |
| established in this country. The first public junior college | | | | expensive. The average public college costs more |
| in the United States was established in 1901 in Joliet. | | | | than $12,000 per year. That's a scary number, |
| When should you go to a community college? | | | | especially if you do not qualify for grants or |
| ---You're not ready to leave home. For many students, | | | | scholarships. |
| the thought of leaving home is scary. If you feel this | | | | ---You want to enter the work force ASAP. |
| way, you're not alone. For a variety of reasons, | | | | Community colleges and technical schools often offer |
| thousands of students choose community colleges to | | | | practical degrees that can get you into the workforce |
| stay close to family and friends. If you're not ready | | | | quickly. They also offer students flexible class times |
| now, maybe you will be a two years and then can | | | | allowing them to work while they attend school. |
| rethink your decision and go on to a four-year college. | | | | ---Community colleges and technical schools offer a |
| ---You're not sure what you want to major in. If you | | | | wide variety of programs to choose from and that |
| make a mistake at a four-year college and major in | | | | also get you into the workforce quickly. In addition, |
| something you realize you hate, it can be an expensive | | | | Illinois has some of the best two-year arts schools in |
| mistake. Community colleges are far less expensive | | | | the country, including the Harrington Institute of Interior |
| than four-year colleges, giving students a chance to | | | | Design, and two locations for the Illinois Institute of Art. |
| "try out" a major without going to the poor house. | | | | If you feel you're not ready for a four-year school for |
| ---You don't have the grades. Community colleges are | | | | whatever reason, a two-year college may be the |
| easier to get into for students with less than stellar | | | | perfect answer. |