Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Becoming a Teacher? Check This Out!

The Golden Apple Scholars teacher preparation and tuition assistance program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2026!

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

Friday, September 26, 2025

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

Thursday, September 25, 2025

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.



Tuesday, September 23, 2025

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

Monday, September 22, 2025

πŸŽ“ Shape Your Future Week Is Coming—Are You Ready?

It’s that time of year again—Shape Your Future Week is landing at our high school, and it’s bringing a college caravan with it!

From October 6th to 17th, 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)

  • Tricoci University of Beauty Culture

  • OSF College of Nursing

  • Methodist College of Nursing

Whether you're dreaming of a traditional university experience or exploring career-focused programs in

Friday, September 19, 2025

Senior Retreat #39 is coming up. Registration sheets available.

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Senior Retreat from November 5-8 at Stronghold Center 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 39th retreat, with over 1,100 IVC students participating over the past twenty 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 about a scholarship.
Action Required: Registration sheets are available from the counselors and are due as soon as possible. Space is limited, so act fast! The retreat will fill up within a week. 

For any questions, please ask Mr. Kosinski.

Friday, September 12, 2025

Seniors - One Click College Admit

The easy, stress-free way to be admitted to Illinois public universities. No fees and no essays!  There are eight Universities participating this year with more to be added next year.

Check out OneClickAdmit.org for more information.



Thursday, September 11, 2025

AIM HIGH - Making College Possible for More Families

CLICK HERE for information about individual school's program.

The AIM HIGH Grant helps Illinois students cover the cost of attending one of the state’s 12 public four-year universities. It’s a renewable, merit- and need-based award designed to keep talented students in-state and reduce student debt.

πŸ’° What It Covers

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Transcripts? I'm so confused

Having transcripts sent to colleges is actually pretty easy once you know the system. IVC can release transcripts two different ways.

Common App Colleges - Transcripts are automatically sent by Naviance once you link your Common App to Naviance. See post below for info on how to link accounts.

ALL Other Colleges - Transcripts must be ordered through Parchment.  All students were emailed an invite from Parchment to register.

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Recap of the Senior Meeting

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!

Missed the presentation? No worries! Our presentation is available for your viewing pleasure!

Building your Future in the Trades

During today’s senior meeting, we explored an exciting post-graduation pathway: the building trades. From carpentry to electrical work, these careers offer hands-on opportunities, solid wages, and long-term growth — no college degree required.

To help students dive deeper, we shared a comprehensive packet that breaks it all down:

  • πŸ”§ Descriptions of each trade

  • πŸ“Š Industry stats and earning potential

  • πŸ’΅ Starting wages

  • πŸ“‡ Key contacts

  • πŸ“… Apprenticeship dates and how often they open

Whether you're curious, committed, or just exploring options, this packet is a great place to start. Swing by Student Services to grab your copy and start building your future — literally.