Quality Education, Without All the Debt!
First-time, full-time students pay $0*
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Quality Education, Without All the Debt!
First-time, full-time students pay $0*
Notice loans are not included in the above equation. Loans are only a tool to help pay what you owe, not to reduce your tuition or total cost.
*Based on in-district tuition for 2023-24 academic year, 32 hours or 16 credit hours per semester. Fees vary based on lab, class and program. Average grants and scholarships for first time, full-time students 2021-2022 academic year. (College Z figures based on actual data from regional 4-year school)
John Wood offers the best opportunity for students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with minimal debt. Grants, scholarships, and payment plans can help cover tuition
WITHOUT TAKING OUT LOANS.
| Pell Grant | (Maximum $7395) |
| Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | ($63 to $500) |
| Work Study | (minimum wage per hour) |
Illinois MAP Grant (varies based on cost of institution and financial need; maximum at JWCC is $2100)
All these sources require just one application and are based on student/family tax information –
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Need help filing the FAFSA? Make an appointment with Financial Aid at JWCC who will help you for free.
In addition to the FAFSA, students can use scholarships, payment plans and loans to cover tuition and/or educational costs. Keep scrolling to learn more about those options.
A variety of institutional scholarships are available to prospective and returning students. When applying for a scholarship, you must submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 for the upcoming year.
These are the top JWCC scholarship honors for high achieving student leaders.
Applications for both scholarships are due by January 21. Trail Blazer Scholarships will be awarded from application materials. Presidential Scholarships are awarded using a two-step process. The top 10 applications will be invited for an interview on campus prior to February 21. The top 3 total scores will result in scholarships.
Scholarship students are college ambassadors, participate with Student Government, various JWCC events, and are student leaders on campus.
Most general and program scholarships from the Foundation are awarded in the spring and are used the following academic year. Applications become available in December from the Foundation Office.
The TechUP Scholarship is for potential students ages 19 years or older who have not attended JWCC in the past 3 years.
For students enrolled in courses at the JWCC Ag Center. Fall and Spring scholarships are awarded. Fall applications due in September, Spring applications due in March.
Student must be involved with vocal or instrumental music. The student must audition with the Music Department and participation in the Music program is required. All awardees are determined by the music faculty. (Awarded through the Music Department; 217.641.4999).
Student must fulfill work requirements for the visual arts department. The student must pass a portfolio review. All awardees are determined by the visual arts faculty. (Awarded through the Visual Arts Department; 217.641.4997).
These awards are awarded by the athletic coaches of each respective sport. Participation in intercollegiate athletics at JWCC is expected. (Awarded through the Athletic Department; 217.641.4976)
Awards are based on qualifications for the Student Support Services program. (Awarded through Student Support Services; 217.641.4343)
Those who live outside of the JWCC district, but work 35+ hours in the JWCC district qualify for in-district tuition rate- saving $110/credit hour. The student and employer must jointly fill out the Work In-District Waiver form and return it to John Wood Community College; the completed PDF may also be sent to deanofstudents@jwcc.edu.
Below are institutional scholarships available to prospective and returning students who plan on starting in the Spring semester. When applying for a scholarship, you must submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 for the upcoming year.
Graduating early? Transferring-in to JWCC? Or just getting started this spring? Apply for the Spring Start Scholarship – $500 scholarships.
For students enrolled in courses at the JWCC Ag Center. Fall and Spring scholarships are awarded. Fall applications due in September, Spring applications due in March.
WIRC-CAA Scholarships – Western Illinois Regional Council – Community Action Agency for residents of Hancock, Henderson, McDonough and Warren Counties. Traditional and non-traditional scholarships available. For more information, visit wirpc.org or call 309.837.2997.
Illinois Department of Public Health – Center for Rural Health – The Center for Rural Health administers a number of scholarship programs for students in the health professions. All programs require scholarship recipients to practice in an underserved area upon completion of their training. For more information, visit the website of the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program – The Legacy Scholarship program offers financial support to all Army women who are serving, or have honorably served, and their children. Scholarships are based on merit, academic potential, community service, letters of recommendation, and need. For more information, visit The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program.
Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program – Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) administer the scholarship program to assist student in pursuing gateway credentials. INCCRRA is committed to promoting higher education for early care and education professionals. For additional information visit https://www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/scholarship or contact INCCRRA at 309-834-1232.
American Welding Society Scholarships – The American Welding Society offers scholarship and grant opportunities for those entering or already enrolled in welding programs. These scholarships are not specific to tuition; they also include books, supplies and equipment. For more information, visit the American Welding Society’s scholarship page.
Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program – If you work or have worked in early childhood education and you’re seeking additional credentials and/or a degree in early childhood education, you may be eligible for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program. The program was created to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education, with an aim toward building a strong, well-prepared workforce. Please review scholarship program detail for consideration. For additional information visit https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/ecace.html.
Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation – The Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation is offering six $1,500 scholarships to aspiring educators entering their junior or senior year of college. The 2022 information and application for the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation Scholarship can be accessed from our website at www.irtaonline.org, at the top tool bar under the Foundation tab and by clicking on scholarships.
Huber Industrial Maintenance Scholarship Application – J.M. Huber Corporation is offering a scholarship for Industrial Maintenance students at any stage of their schooling. The company has established a scholarship fund to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the field of industrial maintenance. The scholarship can be utilized for various educational expenses, including books and supplies for the program. You can access the application here.
Various scholarships are available to students transferring into four-year institutions. Some examples include:
If you have questions about other four-year institutions and their transfer scholarship opportunities, please contact the Advising & Retention Office at 217.641.4355 or advising@jwcc.edu.
If grants and scholarships do not cover tuition and educational costs, students may pay off the remaining amount using a JWCC payment plan. This allows students to break up the remaining amount owed over a semester.
*Contact the Business Office for full information on payment plans. Availability may vary.
Loans may be utilized after all other financial aid grants, scholarships and payment plan options have been explored. Loans will be paid back over time with interest. There are two types of Federal loans:
Students do not have to make payments on loans while in school and interest does not accrue while they are in school. Repayment begins six months after students are no longer enrolled.
Students do not have to make payments on loans while in school and interest DOES accrue while they are in school. Repayment begins six months after students are no longer enrolled.
The combined amount that dependent students may borrow from both subsidized and unsubsidized loan programs is $5,500/year ($2,750/semester) for freshmen (0-27 earned hours) and $6,500/year ($3,250/semester) for sophomores (28+ earned hours). These amounts may vary based on the amounts of other financial aid and the amount of credit hours the student is taking.
PLUS loans are available to parents of dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time. If the parent’s credit check is approved, the PLUS loan amount may go up to the student’s cost of attendance minus all other financial aid. If the credit check is denied, the student will then have the option to receive an additional unsubsidized loan (up to $2000/semester or $4000/year).
Veteran educational benefits follow a five-step process.
Most active duty military members will receive Tuition Assistance to cover 100% of tuition costs at JWCC. Each branch has annual caps for assistance.
Reservists are also eligible for Tuition Assistance and individuals should contact their Education Services Officer for details.
JWCC has a Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel Student Services to assist active duty military personnel and veterans. Please see the Military students page for more information about benefits and assistance.