Newsroom

There are several ways for students to save a lot (or get FREE TUITION) by attending Kankakee Community College. 

American Rescue Plan

KCC received $3.2 million in financial assistance from the American Rescue Plan to pass directly to students. This money will go to Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 KCC students. To apply, you just have to be enrolled. Money will be distributed based on need and verification of enrollment. These awards do not impact a students' eligibility for other federal student aid, such as the Pell grant. These awards do not have to be paid back.

Use this link to apply: American Rescue Plan application. Full details are here. 

One Workforce grant

A new grant called One Workforce from the U.S. Department of Labor can pay for tuition, fees, books (and more) for students in many of KCC's manufacturing, welding and electrical engineering technology programs. To qualify, you must live in northeast Illinois or northwest Indiana, be 17 or older, not in high school, and unemployed or underemployed. People from underrepresented groups can also qualify. Even if you are already employed, you may be eligible.

This is an excellent opportunity to enroll for FREE in a program that leads to high paying jobs that are in demand!

Learn more and get started: skills.kcc.edu, manderson@kcc.edu, or phone 815-802-8873. The director of the program, Mark Anderson, will personally contact you.

 The One Workforce Program is brought to you through a U.S. Department of Labor Grant and our partner, Calumet Area Industrial Commission.

WIOA funding

Through the the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, there is funding available for career training in specific degree and training programs. Support includes books, supplies and transportation. If you are eligible, an appointment will be set up with a career counselor to determine your scholarship funding.

For more information and to apply, visit wioa.kcc.edu. 

All programs are Equal Opportunity Employer Programs, and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Funded by the Grundy Livingston Kankakee Workforce Board.​

Jerald Hoekstra has been recognized by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association for 30 years of service to the Kankakee Community College board of trustees. 

Jim Reed, executive director of the ICCTA, presented the award to Hoekstra at the college’s monthly board meeting on July 12.

“Jerry has been described as a quiet giver, a man of high values, high intensity and honesty,” Reed said during the award presentation. “A man whose heart and soul are as big as he is. We are fortunate to have him as one of our long-time leaders and we appreciate his many years of civic service.”

Hoekstra, of St. Anne, joined the KCC board of trustees on Dec. 12, 1991. He is the longest-serving current member of the board. During his tenure, Hoekstra has served as the board’s vice chair from November 1995 to January 2014; and as board chair from January 2014 to December 2018.

“Thirty years ago, I was asked by Fey Orr if I would consider taking his place on the KCC Board of Trustees when he retired,” said Hoekstra. “I felt both humbled and challenged.  My time on the board has been very fulfilling.  KCC has been blessed with many great board members who worked together for the success of the college.  I am just happy that I could be part of it!”

“Trustee Hoekstra has made such a substantial impact here at Kankakee Community College,” said KCC President Dr. Michael Boyd. “For 30 years, he’s been generous with his time, his energy, and his wisdom.  His motivation has always been enhancing student success because he understands the role that KCC’s graduates play in empowering economic development in the communities this college serves.  Jerry’s guidance as a trustee has been so helpful for me, personally.  He takes a genuine interest in everyone’s success and provides gentle but meaningful mentoring and advice.”

This fall, Kankakee Community College is helping its students get back to the classroom and “back on their feet” financially.

Pandemic relief funds

“The pandemic created many financial barriers,” said Michelle Hasik, KCC director of financial aid. “We want to help our students move forward with their educational goals. We are able to draw from several sources to help students cover college expenses such as tuition, books, housing, and childcare. In most cases, we are able to provide substantial aid to assist our students.”

The federal government’s pandemic relief packages provided most of the money the college is now distributing.

Students enrolled in Fall 2021 at KCC can apply for financial assistance to pay for their tuition and books, as well as various other expenses while pursuing their higher education goals. 

“We will attempt to offer students sufficient funding from a variety of resources to ensure their academic journey continues,” Hasik said.

The college has received Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). They do not impact a student’s eligibility for other federal student aid, such as the Pell grant, which is calculated by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They do not have to be paid back.

Students who enroll for Fall 2021 at KCC can apply for this financial assistance and find additional Information at https://www.kcc.edu/tuition-and-aid. Requests will be evaluated based on need and verification of enrollment.

In the near future, additional funding of $3.2 million for Fall 2021 students will become available through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) HEERF III.

“Our programs stand among the best,” said Dr. Jose da Silva, KCC vice president for student affairs. “Students in our career-oriented programs are finding jobs, and our transfer students do very well after entering four-year colleges. Having students meet their goals is great. And everyone wins when students are able to afford attending college on the way to meeting their education goals.” 

In all, KCC will distribute nearly $4.5 million in HEERF funds.

Free tuition for select programs

KCC is a college partner for the new H1B One Workforce Grant. It is federally funded, and pays all tuition, fees, books, and supplies for qualified students in selected credit and non-credit programs. The selected programs lead to jobs in manufacturing-related industries. Participants can enroll in credit or non-credit programs which train for occupations within the grant’s occupation parameters.

Program qualification includes residence in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, 17 years of age and older, not currently in high school, and unemployed or underemployed. The program also targets underrepresented groups including minorities, women, individuals living in disadvantaged communities, new Americans, and justice-involved individuals. 

More information is available from Mark Anderson, KCC director of manufacturing training at KCC, manderson@kcc.edu.

KCC is the administrator of the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, which offers up to $10,000 toward tuition, books, fees and other expenses to qualified individuals, including those affected by layoffs and plant closings, low income individuals and youth ages 16-24. More information and eligibility requirements are at https://wioa.kcc.edu.

Tuition freeze

KCC also froze tuition for the 2021-22 school year. Tuition and fees are $165 per credit hour for Fall 2021.

More than 40 percent of KCC students receive financial aid, which includes state and federal awards, scholarships and loans. According to the most recent statistics available, the average award in 2019-20 school year was $3,855. More than 80 percent of awards did not have to be repaid.

Following is a letter from Mombasa Relief Initiative, a non-profit organization. The most recent donation from KCC was sent in June 2021. Photos showing jerseys are from previous donations.

Dear KCC,

Thank you for the school desks, chairs, blackboards and other educational items you donated to the Mombasa Relief Initiative. This donation will be shipped to Mombasa Kenya via ocean freight and distributed to 5 underserved schools in Kenya. This donation will help students in Kenya have a normal learning experience.

In Kenya many schools are independent and get nothing from the Government, these schools have to deal with several major obstacles on a daily basis, lack of clean drinking water, no electricity, students that are malnourished and can’t afford tuition are just a few of the problems facing the schools we support.

The Mombasa Relief Initiative was founded in 2001 by 7 Americans and 2 Kenyans to deal with the lack of resources and opportunities for students in Kenya; our programs include: daily lunch program, Student sponsorship, Girl Power, Boys to men, Eggs for Empowerment and infrastructure improvements.

In addition to this donation we also want to thank you for all the sports uniforms and equipment we have received form KCC via Vernal Turner, these donations have been well received and helped us start soccer teams at two schools.

When this donation arrives in Kenya and is distributed we will provide pictures so you can see your donation at work.

Our sincerest thanks and may you have a blessed 2021!

Very Respectfully,
Don Harris