Illinois Central College (ICC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

Illinois Central College was established in 1967 and provides educational opportunities to thousands of students every year. The majority of these students hail from the local district, Illinois Community College District 514, which includes the counties of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford.

Prospective ICC students can choose from 69 associate’s of arts or sciences degrees, 84 associate’s of applied science, and over 100 certificates. Each semester, the faculty lead over 3,300 unique classes. Nine academic departments organize the curriculum at Illinois Central College. Within each department, programs of study are designated as transfer, career, or certification. Career programs are intended to launch students directly into the work force. Transfer programs assume that a student will articulate into a four-year institution for the completion of their studies. Certification programs require less coursework than the career programs and are tightly focused on a specific vocation.

While some classes may be delivered online or via teleconference, the bulk of instruction occurs on campus in traditional classrooms. Evening and early morning classes are available to help students achieve a satisfactory work/life balance.

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Information Summary

Ranks 69th in Illinois and 2078th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	62.4
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,700
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	18 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	71% / 38%
Enrollment Total (all students)	8,875

Admissions

Illinois Central College provides open enrollment with the mission of serving everyone in the district. Future students can fill out either an online or paper application. Later, admitted students take an academic placement test to determine their aptitude in key areas such as mathematics, English and reading. Before the start of the semester, students meet with academic advisers to hash out a course schedule and two-year plan based on the objectives of the student.

International applicants must fill out a different application as well as include documentation of their immigration status. Official score reports on the Test of English as a Foreign Language and proof of financial support should all be forwarded to the International Education Coordinator.

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Financial Aid

Every admitted student at Illinois Central College who seeks financial aid should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed online and a Student Aid Report produced within days. The report will include data such as the Expected Family Contribution. About half of all incoming freshman will receive some form of need-based aid.

Grants

The federal government offers both the Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. These sources of aid are free money that will never have to be repaid. Disbursement of grant money is based on financial need.

The state of Illinois administers a grant program called MAP. Students with financial need should apply for MAP funding as early as possible. Awards are based on a combination of financial need and total available funds. MAP funds can pay for up to but not more than 75 credit hours at Illinois Central College. Due to economic uncertainties, the funding levels for this program may fluctuate from one year to the next.

Federal Work Study

Allowing students to gain hands-on experience while earning need-based financial aid, the Federal Work Study (FWS) program is a rewarding opportunity for many at Illinois Central College. Students are awarded FWS eligibility as part of their total financial aid package. Notification of an award, however, does not guarantee placement. The Career Lab in the Leitch Career Center posts a listing of all current work-study openings. Work-study students are considered employees of ICC and are bound by all relevant guidelines and policies.

Loans

Federal Direct Loans can bridge the gap between the sum of all other aid and the total cost of attendance. Loans must be repaid, so students should think carefully before applying for such aid.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5896th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Illinois.

Students

Illinois Central College fits the definition of a commuter campus. The overwhelming majority of students graduate from local and regional high schools. A second contingent of students, equaling one-third of ICC’s enrollment, represent the non-traditional population. In the language of higher education, non-traditional means 25 years of age or older.

Apartments at Woodview Commons are available for single and married students, though typically students will sort out their own living situation. Parking badges must be purchased and loaded with credit in the Enrollment Services offices.

Students at ICC publish a newspaper, an arts journal, and participate in more than 40 self-governing organizations.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

Illinois Central College participates in the National Junior College Athletic Association. The school mascot is the cougar, and the team colors are blue and gold. Full-time students with a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to try out for any team. Unless otherwise noted, both men’s and women’s teams compete in the following sports:

Baseball (men’s)
Basketball
Cross County
Golf
Soccer
Softball (women’s)
Volleyball (women’s)

The women’s basketball team has achieved a remarkable and sustained level of success. Since 1992, the team has hoisted the NJCAA Division II championship trophy six times, most recently in 2006. The women’s basketball team at Illinois Central has amassed over 1100 wins, averaging 26 wins per season. A total of 98 student-athletes have moved on to play at NCAA Division I institutions.

For 33 years, Lorene Ramsey was at the helm of Illinois Central’s women’s basketball juggernaut. She coached the team to 887 wins before retiring in 2005. Ramsey also coached softball for 28 years and led the team to two NJCAA championships.

Local Community

East Peoria, Illinois, is part of a larger metropolitan statistical area that’s home to nearly 400,000 citizens. Within the city limits of East Peoria, howver, only around 20,000 people are permanent residents. The town is known for its yearly Festival of Lights Holiday Show. Chicago, third-largest city in the nation, is less than a three hour drive to the northeast.

Bibliography

The College Board. Illinois Central College. 2011. Web. 21 July 2011.
Illinois Central College. Illinois Central College. 2011. Web. 21 July 2011.
Petersons Two-Year Colleges 2011. New Jersey: Peterson, 2010. Print.
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Study Illinois: Illinois Central College. 2009. Web. 21 July 2011.

Illinois Central College