ICC Hosts Illinois Regional College Fair

You are invited! Illinois Central College is hosting a college fair on Wednesday, October 16th from 6:00-8:00 PM. The event will be held at the East Peoria Campus CougarPlex. Over 60 in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities will be present to discuss academic programs, financial aid options, the admissions process, and more. For a complete list of colleges attending the event, click here. You can register for the event by clicking this link.

Army ROTC Illinois State Tuition Waiver (ISTW) Scholarship

The Army ROTC is offering a tuition waiver that covers full tuition for students interested in becoming part of the Army ROTC program. To help students explore this opportunity, they will be hosting a combine event on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. This event will include a fitness test and a short interview to assess eligibility for the scholarship. It is designed for senior students, especially those who have shown an interest in pursuing higher education and leadership opportunities.

The application is due by October 23, 2024, and the flyer attached contains all the necessary details, including the application process, contact information, and the list of schools participating in the program.

This is a fantastic way for them to attend college without the burden of tuition costs.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out: arotc@illinois.edu or (217) 244-1407.

Unlocking the Secrets of College Campuses: Your Ultimate Guide to Campus Visits

Are you ready to embark on the exciting journey of choosing the perfect college? One of the best ways to get a true feel for a school is to visit its campus. But don’t just breeze through—take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and ask plenty of questions. Here’s why slowing down and engaging with both the admission staff and current students can make all the difference.

1. Talk to the Pros: Admission Staff When you first arrive, make sure to chat with the admission staff. These folks are pros at showcasing what makes their school shine. They’ll provide you with all the essential information about programs, facilities, and campus life. Remember, they’re there to highlight the best aspects of the college, so take notes and gather all the details you can.

2. Get the Real Scoop: Current Students While the admission staff can give you the official tour, the real goldmine of information comes from talking to current students. These are the people living the college experience day in and day out. Ask them what they love about their school and what they wish could be better. Their honest opinions will give you a well-rounded view of what to expect.

3. Questions to Ask. Here are some questions to get you started.

WIU Announces No Application Fee for October

Western Illinois University just announced NO APPLICATION FEE for the month of October. If you are considering Western, be sure to apply this month and save yourself some $$! Also check out their Discover Western Preview Days. Visit wiu.edu/visit for more information.

Upcoming Senior Retreat

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Senior Retreat from November 6-9 at LOMC in Oregon, IL. Here’s what you need to know:

• Introspective Experience: This four-day retreat is nearly 100% led by a group of six seniors, offering a unique and reflective experience.
• Rich History: This marks the 37th retreat, with over 1,000 IVC students participating over the past nineteen years.
• Limited Space: Due to the new retreat center, we can only accommodate 15 guys and 15 girls.
• Cost:  The retreat costs $100. This covers our lodging and meals at the retreat center. If the $100 fee is a concern, partial and full scholarships are available. Please see Mr. Kosinski for more information.
• Action Required: Registration sheets are available from the counselors and are due by October 18th. Space is limited, so act fast! The retreat will fill up long before the 18th.

For any questions, please see Mr. Kosinski.

Let’s make this retreat unforgettable! 🌟

EBSCO Resources for FREE!

Great news! The state of Illinois has established an agreement with EBSCO to provide FREE access to research databases for Illinois schools. our district has now been set up so all teachers, staff, and students have access to the databases. There is a link on the Parent/Student information page of our schools website, or Click Here while on school property.

New to EBSCO?

EBSCO is an online research platform that provides access to a vast collection of academic and scholarly resources. It includes articles from magazines, journals, newspapers, and other publications, making it an excellent too for students working on research projects, papers, and presentations. You can find scholarly articles, e-books, magazines, newspapers, and more!

Becoming a Teacher? Check This Out!

The Golden Apple Scholars teacher preparation and tuition assistance program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2025!

Golden Apple Scholars Receive:

• Up to $23,000 in total financial assistance for college
  
• Extensive classroom teaching experience
• Instruction from award-winning educators and expert partners
• Academic and social-emotional support
• Job placement assistance
• Mentoring in first year of teaching

Click Here for Golden Apple Application and Info

UIUC Program Explorer Tool

Before students apply to U of I, they are encouraged to check out the Program Explorer tool.

For each major at U of I, the Program Explorer tool provides a brief description, what graduates do with the degrees, how much the program costs, graduation and retention rates, related majors, and more.

Students can also take a self-assessment to discover which of the majors relate to their interests, explore majors by Holland type, and compare majors side by side.

Since students are admitted by major at UIUC, this tool is especially important to those applying. Hopefully this tool will help them make an informed decision on prospective major.

Methodist College Open House Events

Methodist College will be hosting a fall Open House on Monday, October 14th and Saturday, November 16th at 9:00 AM for any prospective students and guests. They currently offer the following degrees:

Undergraduate Degree
· Bachelor of Science in Nursing
· Bachelor of Science in Health Science
· Bachelor of Social Work


Certificate
· Gerontology Certificate

Graduate Degree
· Master of Science in Nursing

Click here to register for either of these great events!

NCAA Eligibility Center Information

Interested in playing collegiate athletics? Make sure you know what steps to take to qualify! Click below to access the NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete for 2024-25.

This document is full of timelines, resources, differences between the different divisions, course requirements, and so much more. If you are interested in playing DI, DII, or DIII athletics, this is DEFINITELY worth a read.

NCAA Eligibility Center Guide

Free Tuition in Illinois?

Are you ready to take your education to the next level without the burden of tuition fees? The Aim High program in Illinois is here to make your college dreams a reality! This incredible initiative offers free tuition to qualifying students, ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of your academic success. Whether you’re a top achiever or a dedicated student with big aspirations, Aim High is designed to support you every step of the way.

This link will explain the program at each of the universities.  It is worth a moment to see if you qualify.

Princess Closet Hours Posted

Homecoming is almost here - don't let the lack of funds stop you from missing the fun this year! Come borrow the complete outfit: Dress, shoes and jewelry.

Bring your student ID - a $25 deposit is required: Refunded at the time of return.

Mondays: 9/16, 9/23 & 9/30 - 5:00pm-7:30pm

Tuesday: 9/24 - 5:00pm-7:30pm
Thursday: 9/19- 5:00pm- 7:30pm

Princess Closet is located in the lower level of Shore Acres Clubhouse. Entrance is on the back side of the building. Email Cari Horack at chorack@ivcschools.com for more information.

IVC Financial Aid Night

Tuesday, September 12th
6:00 p.m. - IVC Library (at 5:30 we will have a condensed version of the Off to College Breakfast)

A representative from the IL Student Assistance Commission will be at IVC to present a program on financial aid and scholarships. This program is very informative, especially for those parents who are new to the college application process. FAFSA will also be introduced. The counselors will have a shortened presentation of what was covered at the Off to College Breakfast the previous Friday.

ISAC Guide to Programs (FREE MONEY!)

This handy guide explains many of the available programs and grants available through ISAC (IL Student Assistance Commission). Explanation of the following programs includes:

• MAP Grant
• IL Veteran Grant
• IL National Guard Grant
• Minority Teacher Scholarship
• Special Ed. Tuition Waiver
• IL Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
• Nurse Educator Loan Forgiveness Program
• …and more.

Click here for details

Off to College Parent Breakfast Recap

Parents gathered at the Chillicothe Library for an informative college preparation breakfast, where they delved into the college application and admission process. The session covered everything from filling out applications to crucial deadlines and timelines.  Key takeaways included starting early, and seeking support from school counselors and online resources. The importance of college visits was also emphasized, with tips on planning the visit, registering for tours, and engaging with current students and faculty at the college you are visiting. 

To ensure everyone has the opportunity to see the presentation, there will be a 30-minute version of what was presented this morning at Financial Night next Thursday (the 12th) at 5:30 pm in the IVC Library. The Financial Aid presentation will begin at 6:00.

Click here for a PDF version of the presentation.

ACT/SAT Deadlines Approaching

The deadline for the October ACT and SAT is coming up. Any senior who plans to retake either test should sign up ASAP.


To register, students should go to....
SAT - www.collegeboard.org
ACT - actstudent.org


The test is not given at IVC but there are nearby testing centers.

Side note: All juniors will be taking the ICC test in April. The school takes care of that registration.

Calling All Science Students - Student Researcher Program

There is a fantastic program coming up on November 7th for those students interested in the science field. The Ag Lab in Peoria will be hosting a one-day Student Researcher Program for 11th and 12th grade students.

Through the Student Researcher Program, high school students will gain hands-on experience with some of the same research techniques used daily by career researchers at the lab. By the end of the day, students will have rotated through three different laboratories, interacted closely with research staff and gained a deeper understanding of how the multi-disciplinary teams at NCAUR solve research puzzles of national importance, one piece at a time.

Students who have interest in the following fields would benefit from attending this one-day program: Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Entomology, Food Technology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Physical Science, Plant Pathology, and Plant Physiology.

Sept 25: Deadline for the application packet to be completed and turned in to Mr. Kosinski
Nov 7: Student Researcher Day at the USDA ARS NCAUR (AG Lab)

Click here for the application

22 Ways Parents Can Help (and Hurt) The College Application Process

Navigating the college application process can feel like a high-stakes game, and parents often play a crucial role in their child’s journey. But did you know that your involvement can either be a game-changer or a stumbling block? In “22 Ways Parents Can Help (and Hurt) The College Application Process,” the article breaks down the do’s and don’ts to ensure you’re setting your student up for success. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the college admissions scene, this guide will help you strike the perfect balance between support and independence.

How to Manage the Stress of College Admission

Good video for parents of seniors to watch. College acceptance or rejection time can be a period of high stress for families so author Jennifer Wallace joins TODAY to share how families can navigate the extreme pressure high schoolers feel today.

College Tour App & Show

The College Tour is a TV series brought to you by Emmy-nominated and multi-award-winning producers. The series tells the story of colleges and universities around the world.​

Each episode of The College Tour will focus on a single college or university. Accompanying each episode is a series of shorter videos that tackle many of the FAQs with regard to each college.
​
From campus life, academics, housing, sports, activities, and much more… each student driven segment will give young people an inside look at what it’s truly like being a student at the featured college or university.

Download the app for a truly one-of-a-kind series featuring colleges and universities in a way they have never been seen before!

Area schools featured so far include:
-- University of Illinois-Champaign
-- University of Illinois-Chicago
-- University of Missouri
-- Iowa State University
-- Illinois State University
-- Illinois Wesleyan University

-- University of Northern Iowa

-- Columbia College Chicago

-- Valparaiso University

-- Grand Canyon University

You may also click this link to access the episodes.

Freshman Class Meeting

We are excited to share that our high school counselors recently met with all freshmen students to discuss important aspects of their high school journey. This meeting was designed to help students transition smoothly into high school by providing them with valuable information and resources. During the meeting, counselors covered topics such as:

-- who the counselors are,
-- the different reasons a freshman may want to chat,
-- where our office are located,
-- how to go about requesting to see us,
-- confidentiality,
-- living up to their awesomeness,
-- getting involved,
-- and who their class advisors are.

We encourage you to continue the conversation at home. Ask your child about what they learned during the meeting, and discuss their interests, goals, and any concerns they may have.

 
​Additionally, if you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact the school counseling office. We are here to support both you and your child during this critical transition period. Thank you for your continued support.

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION

Parents - Off to College Breakfast Reminder

Linking Common App to Naviance

If you are a senior using the Common App, you will need to link your account to Naviance for us to send all Counselor Documents as well as Teacher Recommendations. Below are the steps to link the two:

    1.  Log onto your Naviance account. 

        *If you do not know the password, you can log in using Clever.*
    2.  Click on COLLEGES --> COLLEGES I'M APPLYING TO.
    3.  Click on MATCH ACCOUNTS.
    4.  Enter your Common App Email address and click on MATCH ACCOUNTS.
    5.  You are done :)

Stop by the Student Services office with any questions.

🎓 Senior Class Meeting Recap!

Our recent class meeting was all about exploring the exciting paths that lie ahead after high school. From diving deep into the college selection process to discussing opportunities in the military, trade schools, and specialty programs, we covered it all!

Remember to check out the Off to College Guide you received at the meeting. It’s packed with valuable insights and, along with the PDF copy of the presentation, will help students and parents navigate the journey ahead.

Got questions? Your counselors are here to help! Reach out anytime. 🚀

Let’s make your future bright! 🌟

Calling All Future Social Workers and Teachers!

💙 Be the Change You Wish to See! 💙 Step into the world of compassion and advocacy at Future Social Worker Visit Day at WIU! Learn how you can make a difference in your community, connect with experienced social workers, and explore WIU's comprehensive social work program. Your path to empowering others and creating positive change begins now! Join the IVC Counselors on this visit.

🌟 Inspire the Next Generation! 🌟 Spend the day at WIU for Future Teachers Visit Day! Discover the rewarding path of shaping young minds and making a lasting impact. Meet passionate educators, explore WIU's innovative teaching programs, and get a glimpse into your future classroom. Your journey to becoming an inspiring teacher starts here!

Provided there is enough interest, the counselors will be chaperoning the Social Work Visit Day. Students would be on their own to attend the Future Teacher Day.  Sign up for the Social Work Field Trip in the counseling office.

Stand Out College Prep Step-by-Step Guides

To help you navigate the college application process smoothly, Stand Out College Prep has complied step-by-step guides on two frequently used websites: The Common Application and the FAFSA.

The Common App is a central platform used by many colleges and universities, allowing you to apply to multiple institutions with a single application. This link will break down the nuances of the Common App and help ensure your information is accurate and complete.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical form for securing financial aid for college. Completing the FAFSA accurately can significantly impact your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. This link is essential for navigating the often daunting task of applying for financial aid.

Discover Illinois Colleges with No Application Fee

Applying to college can be an exciting yet daunting process, especially when considering the costs involved. Fortunately, many colleges in Illinois are making it easier for prospective students by waiving application fees. Here is a list of Illinois colleges that do not charge an application fee, helping you save money while exploring your educational options. 

Augustana College
Aurora University
Bradley University
Eastern Illinois University
Elmhurst College
Eureka College

Discover Illinois Schools - Your Path to Excellence

Welcome to the vibrant world of the state universities in Illinois!  This comprehensive guide equips you with the latest insights, ensuring you’re well-prepared to choose the college that is right for you. From admission requirements to campus life, we’ve got you covered.

The 12 Reasons document is the brand new admissions guide that provides you with current information about each state university.

The 2022-23 At-A-Glance offer a look at all the college majors at the universities. Although the document is no longer published, this one from two years ago will still be mostly accurate. Definitely a great starting point when looking at college majors.

Click on the guide to access.

2024-25 Off to College Guide

Congratulations seniors. We're thrilled to announce the release of our brand-new Off to College Guide! 

Whether you're a student gearing up for your first semester next fall or a parent preparing to support your college-bound child, this guide is packed with essential tips, resources, and a sprinkle of inspiration to make the search smooth and successful. Get ready to embark on this exciting journey with confidence and ease. 

Let's make this college search experience unforgettable! Your future starts now!

Click here for the Guide

Agriculture, Diesel, and Horticulture Showcase

 
Students are invited to explore careers at the Illinois Central College Agriculture, Diesel, and Horticulture Showcase on Friday, September 13, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm on the ICC East Peoria Campus.

This FREE event is an opportunity for students to explore high-demand careers in the high-tech agriculture, diesel-powered equipment, and horticulture industries. They will participate in hands-on activities showcasing the latest innovations and technologies, browse equipment displays from industry partners, and have the opportunity to ask employers questions about careers in their industries. Lunch will be provided.

Sign up in the Counseling Office by August 30th. See the counselors with any questions.