Finding scholarships for community college students in Illinois?

I'm considering community colleges in Illinois, and my family is looking for financial aids like scholarships. Does Illinois have state-specific opportunities, or should I look at national scholarships too? Any advice would help!

You're on the right track by exploring all options available in terms of financial aid. Scholarships can significantly cut down the cost of attending college, including community college. In Illinois, there are indeed state-specific scholarship programs for community college students.

1. The Illinois Commitment program covers tuition and fees for in-state students from families earning less than $75,000 per year. While it's primarily focused on students attending one of the University of Illinois campuses, it's worth looking into to see if you might be eligible.

2. Additionally, the Illinois Community College Faculty Association (ICCFA) offers scholarships to students attending community colleges in the state. The Value of the Illinois Community College (VICC) Scholarship provides financial support to students demonstrating academic achievement and need.

Moving onto national scholarships, there are quite a number open to community college students. Here are a couple to get you started:

1. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society offers scholarships for community college students moving onto four-year institutions. If you're planning on transferring after completing your associate's degree, this could be an excellent resource.

2. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is another substantial national scholarship community college students can apply for.

Remember that you can also look at local organization scholarships or scholarships related to your intended field of study. Many businesses, nonprofits, or professional organizations offer scholarships that can often have fewer applicants, increasing your chances of winning.

Finally, make use of scholarship search tools. Appily has a scholarship tool that allows you to input information about your situation and gives you a list of potential scholarships you could apply for.

Good luck with your scholarship search, and remember, every bit of financial aid helps!