We have created a checklist to help you navigate the college selection process and set your student up for success. Whether Lake Land College is the best fit for your student or not, there are things you can do to help them make the right choice.
Helping your student research colleges, future careers, and corresponding academic programs is extremely important so that they can formulate long-term goals and create a path that gets them to those goals.
If your student is undecided in their academic program of study, encourage them to utilize our Career Coach system, an interactive career information tool that makes it easy to research and choose an academic program or career. No registration or special login is required to take the assessment or use the system to search for information.
Websites and brochures are great for learning about different colleges, but the only way to truly know if a school is the right fit is to visit. Lake Land College offers individual campus visits Monday through Friday and hosts designated campus visit days, known as Laker Visit Days, on campus throughout the year. Register today!
Once your student has narrowed down their list of potential schools, it’s time to start applying. It’s easy to become a Laker! The first step is to create a Laker Profile then submit the free Application form. If you have specific questions regarding the Lake Land College application process, you can call or email our Admissions and Records Office at 217-234-5434 or admissions@lakelandcollege.edu.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is required to determine students’ eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including grants, student loans, work study, and many scholarships. The FAFSA application opens October 1 for the following academic year. The earlier you apply, the better. By getting a head start on the application process, you will be eligible for priority funding and make better decisions on how to plan for your education. Lake Land College’s FAFSA code is 007644.
All degree-seeking students and/or students planning to enroll in a math or English course must have ACT/SAT or Lake Land College placement test scores on file. Students will be mandatorily placed in appropriate courses based on placement test scores or ACT/SAT scores, whichever is higher, and chosen program of study.
If your student has taken the ACT or SAT tests, you may choose to use your scores instead of taking the Lake Land College Placement Tests. In order to use ACT/SAT scores, you must request that a copy of their scores be sent to Lake Land College directly from ACT/SAT. Lake Land College’s ACT code is 1055. Lake Land College’s SAT code is 1424.
Many community organizations, banks, credit unions, clubs, fraternal orders, businesses and employers sponsor a variety of private scholarships. Encourage your student to contact these organizations about scholarship opportunities. High school guidance offices are also an excellent resource for scholarship listings, searches and assistance. Many private scholarships are awarded well before the fall semester begins, so students should start the search and application process early and pay close attention to deadlines.
Lake Land College Foundation Scholarships, ranging in amounts up to $5,000, are awarded to students based on a wide range of criteria. Only one application is required to be considered for all Foundation Scholarships. The application period runs from November 1 – February 1 each year for the following academic year, and the application can be found in students’ Laker Hub.
Lake Land College Presidential Scholarships are guaranteed to all eligible in-district high school graduates who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance by acquiring an ACT composite score of 26/SAT total score of 1230 or are in the top 15% of their senior class. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition for up to two years. Applications can be obtained through high school guidance counselors.
New students with no previous college coursework beyond high school who plan to seek a degree or certificate of 24 or more credit hours will participate in New Student Orientation. After completing the Application, new students can expect to receive information about orientation in the mail beginning in March for summer and/or fall enrollment and October for spring enrollment. Once your student completes the online orientation portion, they will be prompted to schedule their Advisement and Registration Day where they will meet with an academic counselor, register for classes, and take placement testing, if needed.
Included in your student’s Laker Welcome Packet is information regarding their Laker email address and instructions for logging in. Be sure your student checks their Laker Mail as important college information will be communicated via this email address.