Spring '27 ICC Online DC Registration Open

Registration is now open for spring online dual credit classes through ICC! Dual credit courses give students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit at a reduce college cost.

Course Registration Information
If you are interested in taking an online dual credit course, check out the resources below including the form to fill out listing which classes you'd like for the spring semester.
Explore Spring DC Course Options: Click this link to see available classes
Course registration: Click this link to register for online ICC dual credit classes

Placement Test Information
Most ICC classes require students to place into them by either ACT scores (18 reading, 22 math) or by taking the placement test. We will offer the placement test on Thursday, November 12th at 7:40 AM in the IVC library for any student who needs to take the placement test. Please bring a charged Chromebook the day of the test.

Placement Test Sign-up: Click this link to sign up for the ICC placement test

Deadline to register for the placement test is Friday, October 30th. Deadline to register for online classes for a guaranteed seat is Friday, November 13th. Email ldavis@ivcschools.com with any questions.

ICC Honors Program Information

Every year, ICC awards up to 50 Honors Program tuition waivers that covers tuition up to four semesters and two summers sessions at ICC (up to 64 credit hours). This opportunity is an excellent way to get your tuition paid for. Students with an ACT score of 25 or higher or an SAT score of 1200 or higher are eligible to apply. The application may be found here.

ICC will also host an informational session at the East Peoria campus on Thursday, January 14, 2027 for prospective students and parents to get more information about the Honors Program. Click here to register.

The application for the Honors Program is February 15th, 2027.

Scholarship Search Websites

While most scholarships are available during the spring semester, there are still several that are available today. You don't have to be top of the class to win scholarship money - there are scholarships for all types of students. But you do have to be willing to put some effort into your search. Here are some of our favorite FREE websites to help with your search:

• fastweb
  
• Scholarships.com
  
• BigFuture from College Board
  
• ISAC
  

One of the best ways to learn more about a college is to visit their campus. When you're visiting, it is to your advantage to slow down and ask several questions. While it is helpful to talk to the admission staff (individuals who are paid to talk up a school), it also very insightful to talk to students about what they like and don't like about their school (individuals who will give their honest opinion).

Here is a list of questions to ask while on a campus visit:

College Applications - Check Those Deadlines!

The College Application process is underway and seniors should be applying. There are a lot of steps to navigate so it is important that the process get started.

Each school has different deadlines and requirements for needed items. Be sure to check with each school to verify that you have the correct information. November 1st is a deadline for several schools, so check these out soon!

If you have any questions or need to clear any confusion, please see your counselor as soon as possible. We will try our best to help with any questions regarding applications, common app, Naviance, or even FAFSA.

FAFSA Open House - Thursday

Logan Gavin, our ISAC representative will be in the Student Services office on Thursday, October 22nd from 5-7 PM for an open house style event in which he will be able to help answer all of your FAFSA questions. If you have not yet started and need help doing so, or if you have started and are stuck part way through, this is a great opportunity to get this process done!

How to Negotiate a Financial Aid Package

A great video from IVC graduate Micah Schultz (Class of '20) about how to get the most of your financial aid package. Well done Micah!

OSF Future Nurses Night

Future Nurses Night will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. at Wozniak Learning Academy.

During the event, students and families will have the opportunity to:

• Meet nursing leadership, faculty, staff, and current/former students
• Connect with representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Services, and the Library
• Participate in hands-on nursing activities and simulations led by our nursing faculty
• Tour our nursing labs and simulation spaces
• Learn more about our nursing programs and admission requirements

Future Nurses Night Information and Registration

ICC Hosts IACAC College Fair

You are invited! Illinois Central College is hosting a college fair on Wednesday, October 14th from 6:00-8:00 PM. The event will be held at the East Peoria Campus Cougar Plex. Over 50 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 and registration information, click here.

Avoid These Common FAFSA Errors

Mistakes can delay your application and limit the amount of aid you are eligible to receive. To avoid errors, carefully read all of the questions on the FAFSA. Some of the most common FAFSA errors are:

• Leaving blank fields. Enter a '0' or 'NA' instead
• Using decimal points. Round to the nearest dollar
• Listing an incorrect Social Security or driver's license number. Triple-check these
• Failing to use your legal name. Avoid nicknames
• Listing incorrect marital status or failing to include the appropriate parents. If custodial parent is re-married, you will need to include your step-parent's information
• Failing to count yourself as a student
• Failing to count an unborn child. Number in household is for the upcoming school year, so, for example, if your mom is pregnant, she is counted as '2' people
• Forgetting to list the colleges you have applied to. Make sure the schools receive your information!

A WONDERFUL service is offered to Illinois students through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Our representative, Logan Gavin, will schedule a meeting with parents and students who are filling out the FAFSA free of charge to answer any questions you may have. Contact your Guidance Counselor for more information.

Today is the first day that families can fill out the FAFSA. Click here to get started today!

Reminder that it is important to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible. There is a limited amount of MAP grant money in Illinois. This is money that does NOT need to be repaid.

Filling out the FAFSA is also a graduation requirement, so be sure to get this done ASAP!

Senior Retreat #41 is here!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Senior Retreat #41 from November 4-7 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 41st retreat, with over 1,100 IVC students participating over the past twenty one years.
• Limited Space: Due to limitations of the 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 9th. Space is limited, so act fast! The retreat will fill up long before the 9th.

For any questions, please see Mr. Kosinski.

Let’s make this retreat unforgettable! 🌟

⚖️For Parents: Supporting vs. Micromanaging

It is incredibly hard to watch your teenager struggle academically. However, there is a very fine line between building a supportive scaffold and taking over the driver's seat.

When parents micromanage, students lose the opportunity to build resilience and problem-solving skills. Here is how to find the balance:

Micromanaging 🛑	Supporting 👍
Checking the online grade portal multiple times a day and texting your teen about a missing assignment during lunch.	Checking the portal once a week together (e.g., every Sunday afternoon) to discuss the overall trend.
Writing emails to the teacher demanding to know why a grade is low or asking for extensions on behalf of your child.	Sitting with your teen while they write the email to the teacher, helping them edit their tone before they hit send.
Dictating exactly when, where, and how your student must complete every single assignment.	Helping them design a dedicated study space and asking, "What is your plan for tackling your homework tonight?"

Study Smarter, Not Longer

Spending four hours scrolling on your phone with an open textbook next to you is not studying. And high school is too busy for fake studying. Try one or more of these active learning strategies to learn more in less time:

• Do the hardest task first. Your brain has the most energy at the beginning of your study session.
• Use active recall. Close your notebook and write down everything you can remember. Then, open your notes and use a different color to write down what you missed.
• Explain the concept to someone else. If you can explain the topic to a friend, especially someone who is not familiar with the topic, then you likely have a firm grasp on your understanding. As a bonus, your friend can ask you questions to help you fill in gaps of your explanation.
• Try the Pomodoro Method. Work with intense focus for 25 minutes (no phone, no music) and then take a 5 minute break to stretch or check your messages. Repeat this 3 times and then take a longer break.

📣How to Talk to Your Teachers📣

When a grade drops or absences pile up, it is tempting to avoid the teacher in the hopes that the problem disappears. Unfortunately, that rarely happens. If you want to get your grades up, it is up to you as the student to initiate the conversation. Here is what you can do without it feeling weird.

1. Don't do it right before or after class. Teachers are usually rushing to set up a lesson, answer emails, or use the restroom during passing periods. Instead, send an email requesting a quick meeting at a time it is convenient for them. This could be before or after school, during a study hall, or possibly during your WIN period. Be sure to show up for the meeting.

2. Take ownership of your learning. Blaming the teacher or using your after school responsibilities as an excuse will not get you far.

3. Ask specific questions. "How do you recommend I study for the next test?" or "Can you help me understand where I went wrong on question 3?" are much better conversation starters than "I have no idea what I am doing."

4. Make a plan and follow up. Ask about options to make up past missing work or redo assignments. Apply teacher advice right away, show up on time, and pay attention in class so the teacher sees you are trying.

Start the College Exploration Process Online

College exploration can be a daunting task. If you have not yet started the search process, now is the perfect time! Many websites help bring that college exploration to your fingertips. Here are a few sites that hopefully ease the process a bit.

U.S. News and World Report - Great starting spot for exploration process. Well known for their college rankings, U.S. News has great information about college. New rankings came out TODAY! Check them out at www.usnews.com/education.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) - We highlight ISAC in the college links on the right side of the blog because of what a great resource it is for students and parents. Contains a ton of information with regard to financial aid and scholarships. Descriptions of different loans and grants available to students. There is also help available for filling out FAFSA. www.isac.org.

Big Future by The College Board - This website is so jam packed with information that you could spend days and days looking at valuable info. Categories include: Finding Colleges, Exploring Colleges, Paying for College, and Getting In. www.bigfuture.org.

Becoming a Teacher? Check This Out!

The Golden Apple Scholars teacher preparation and tuition assistance program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2027! Priority deadline is December 1st.

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

ISAC Financial Aid Night Recap

Thank you to all parents who joined us for our annual Financial Aid Night on Tuesday. We do not currently have a PDF of the presentation, but we do have last year's. The link is below, and while the dollar amounts may be different, the information is still solid.

ISAC Financial Aid Presentation

Also, ISAC offers many programs and grants available to Illinois students that help cover the cost of, or cover all of, tuition for different circumstances (FREE MONEY!!). Explanation include the following programs:

• MAP Grant
• IL Veteran Grant
• IL National Guard Grant
• Nursing Education Scholarship
• Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver
• IL Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
• and more!

Click here to learn more

FAFSA Help

The FAFSA can, on the surface, feel overwhelming. This website from Sallie Mae does an excellent job of walking parents and students through the process step by step. The FAFSA opens on October 1.

Sallie Mae step-by-step guide
FAFSA Website

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 Eligibility Center to answer all your NCAA questions.

This website 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 look.

NCAA Eligibility Center

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.

🎓 Shape Your Future Week Is Coming—Are You Ready?

Shape Your Future Week is back again!

From September 28th to October 9th, over 20 schools will be visiting our campus, ready to meet with students, answer questions, and share what makes their programs stand out. And guess what? It’s not just four-year universities! You’ll also have the chance to connect with:

• Illinois Central College (ICC)
• Midwest Technical Institute (MTI)
• OSF College of Nursing
• Methodist College of Nursing

Whether you're dreaming of a traditional university experience or exploring career-focused programs in healthcare, beauty, or technical trades—this is your moment to discover what’s out there.

For Students:

• Chat one-on-one with real admission reps
• Ask about majors, campus life, scholarships, and career paths
• Get a feel for each school’s vibe and offerings
• Start building connections that could shape your future

You can sign up to meet with up to five schools—so choose wisely!

👉 Sign up now and start shaping your future.

For Parents:

Encourage your student to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. These meetings can spark new ideas, clarify goals, and even ease some of the stress around post-high school planning. Your support makes a huge difference.

2026-27 Off to College Guide

All seniors received this year's Off to College Guide at the senior meeting this morning. The guide is packed information such as: timelines, factors to consider, college open houses, keys to the process, important website links, and steps to writing a great essay.

Stop by Student Services to pick up your guide if you were unable to make it.

The guide can be accessed by clicking this link.

To see the presentation slides only, click here. To hear a voiceover of the presentation, click here.

Calling All Future Teachers!

🌟 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. The event is held on October 23rd from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.

Participants will be provided with a t-shirt, WIU swag, and lunch. Click this link to register!

Methodist College Open House

Methodist College will be hosting two fall Open Houses on Thursday, September 10th and Wednesday, October 7th from 3-5 PM both dates for any prospective students and guests. While there, you will be able to tour facilities, meet with current faculty and staff, learn about all academic programs available, and learn about tuition-free options.

Click this link to RSVP and learn more.

Service Academy Night

Congressman Darin LaHood is hosting a Service Academy Night on October 6, 2026 beginning at 5:30 PM at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, IL. If you are considering any of the 5 service academies, this is a meeting you will NOT want to miss! RSVP required by September 22nd (necessary for base access). Click on this link for more information and this link to RSVP.

💰 $500 Up For Grabs to an IVC Student 💰

One IVC student will walk away with $500 in this year's Voice of Democracy Contest sponsored by our
local VFW. Students need to create a 3-5 minute oral essay. The competition is open to all IVC students. The winning submission from IVC will move on to the state competition.

 
Topic: What a Veteran Taught Me About America
Grades: 9-12
Top Prize: $500
Second Prize: $200
Due Date: October 31st
For more details: Entry forms may be picked up from any counselor, English teacher or social studies teacher.

Basically students will need to write an essay and then turn it to an audio file. It is actually quite simple. You will need to create an account through Scholar's App and complete the application. Click this link for the application.

Shape Your Future Week - Coming Soon!

 

Parent Workshops - Fall 2026

 

JUNIORS: PSAT/NMSQT Sign-Ups Happening Now

What: PSAT/NMSQT Test

Who: Open to any junior

When: October 26th

The PSAT/NMSQT is a great way to preview and practice for the SAT and other standardized tests. When you get your test results, connect your College Board and Khan Academy® accounts to get free personalized SAT study recommendations. In addition, when you take the PSAT/NMSQT, you’re automatically screened for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.

There are only 20 spots available. Deadline to register is September 21st. You can sign up with Ms. Welch in the counseling office. The test will cost $20.00. Checks can be made out to IVC. Payment must be received before test day. We will test on October 26th at 8:00 am.