Advice From the Pros
From Nelson Resource Center:
Financially, it makes sense to start at a community college. If a student has no idea which career direction they want to go, it makes sense. It is also a great jumping off point for students who struggled academically in high school. If your child is not managing his or her life (making their own appointments, handling school paperwork, getting up on their own, studying without prompting) then it is likely a year or two at home is in order. Students must have strong self-management skills in order to live away from home and succeed in college. 
From Lincoln Land Community College:
Students can save many thousands of dollars, and avoid student debt, by starting at a community college. The costs are lower because community colleges are supported in part by local property tax dollars. The quality is the same, and many core courses transfer to Illinois colleges and universities per the Illinois Articulation Agreement. Also, by attending a community college, students can save by living at home the first two years of college, or while they are earning a two-year (or less) career degree or certificate. Community college professors are dedicated to teaching, there are many free support services available, and class sizes are small. Community colleges are all about access and student success! – Submitted by Lynn Whalen, Executive Director, Public Relations and Marketing, Lincoln Land Community College
From MBS College Coaching:
Community college is an outstanding choice for many, many kids. It can keep costs down while the student is completing general education courses. A student can use the community college experience to decide if they are ready to go away to another school.
If the student knows where they want to transfer after community college, they should check with the community college to make sure that college has a transfer agreement with the four-year school. These transfer agreements are made on a major by major basis. For most of the schools in Illinois, there are transfer agreements. However, I was working with a student who wanted to attend a four-year school out of Illinois. We discovered that several of his classes would not transfer within his chosen major from LLCC to the four-year school. They would transfer as general education classes, but it put him a little behind where he thought he’d be at the four-year school. This translates into more money and time spent. – Submitted by Mary Beth Stephens
