Illinois’ public universities and select community colleges will prepare students for professional licensing exams, graduate-level admissions exams, and credential exams

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Halpin and State Representative Dan Swanson have announced a new state program that will help Illinois college students prepare for graduate school and in-demand careers.

“Prohibitive cost on prep courses and entrance exams can close the door on a students’ post-graduate ambitions,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island) chair of the Senate Appropriations Education Committee. “This program ensures every prospective post-graduate student gets the fair shot they deserve, opening the door to a good education and a fulfilling career. Illinois’ investment in our students represents an investment in our future.”

The Prepare for Illinois' Future Program is the result of a commitment by the State of Illinois, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), and leading global education company Kaplan to provide free test preparation courses to students enrolled in Illinois’ public universities as well as five community colleges. Western Illinois University was the first school to join the program, and Carl Sandburg College is also being on boarded for all students.

This historic workforce initiative enables student’s access to Kaplan’s best-in-class preparation for professional licensing exams, graduate-level admissions exams, and credential exams at no cost to them. Available courses include exam prep for the GRE®, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, NCLEX-RN, Illinois state bar exam, real estate and securities exams, and more. Students will also have access to a suite of certificate courses, including project management and cybersecurity, as well as professional and academic skills development courses from Kaplan.

 “Illinois has massive shortages of people in skilled professions – such as nursing and other medical professions,” said Swanson (R-Alpha), a former substitute teacher “This new program is a game-changer for our students and makes WIU and Carl Sandburg more competitive with schools across the border.”

The program aims to boost in-state enrollment at public universities, create career pathways for students from underserved urban and rural communities, and address the state’s critical shortages for essential professions—ultimately helping to reduce shortages in the Illinois workforce, including projected deficits of more than 14,000 nurses and more than 6,000 doctors by 2030.

In addition to offering the program to students at all 12 Illinois public 4-year universities, the program is being piloted at five community colleges chosen to reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the state, including Joliet Junior College, Carl Sandburg College, Southwestern Illinois College, Malcolm X College, and Morton College. Kaplan has already begun working with these community colleges and the state’s public universities to launch the program so students can access these courses.