Students Have Fun Preparing for College

SPRINGFIELD – Shelly Saal, a 13-year-old from Pekin, has already started thinking about how she’s going to pay for college.

"College is definitely going to cost a lot of money. I want to be a lawyer, so maybe it will cost like ten thousand dollars, " Ms. Saal said.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state’s centralized agency for administering college grant and scholarship programs, is challenging children, and their parents, to consider the costs of a college education through an interactive computer game at the Illinois State Fair. Visitors to ISAC’s booth in the fair’s Tech Town Building can play a computerized version of "Who Wants to be a College Graduate?," a takeoff of the popular television game show, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". Students answer questions like what classes they should take in high school to prepare for college, how much a college education will cost, and what type of schools they can choose to attend.

"I just think the game is fun," answered Shelly’s younger brother, Clayton. After the participants answer questions, they receive prizes from the ISAC volunteers, like a silly straw or a beach ball.

Tracy Jenkins, ISAC outreach staff member and fair volunteer, thinks the game is a good way to reach students and families about preparing for college. "The earlier families start thinking about how they are going to pay for college, the better off they will be. We think the game is a fun way to get the kids’ attention and maybe talk to mom and dad and other family members in the meantime."

And kids aren’t the only ones interested in the ISAC game. Adults can learn about student financial aid, too, and consider going back to college themselves.

"So many adults are enrolled in college classes right now. We are working hard to increase our outreach to adults so they know that financial help is available to pay for college, even if you are only taking one or two classes," stated ISAC Executive Director Larry Matejka, as he handed out another game prize to a lucky visitor.

ISAC will continue hosting its booth at Tech Town throughout the Illinois State Fair. For more information about ISAC and its financial aid programs, call toll free at 800-899-ISAC.

About ISAC
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is the State’s centralized provider of financial assistance aimed at helping students and families access postsecondary education and/or training. Each year, the Commission awards an estimated $400 million in scholarship and grant aid to nearly 185,000 qualified students, and also provides an additional $740 million to borrowers through its student loan programs. The agency offers credit-based alternative loans, a 529 prepaid tuition program known as College Illinois!, and a broad array of outreach and informational services to ensure that families have access to the information they need to pay for a college education. More information is available by calling toll-free 800.899.ISAC (4722) or visiting the agency’s Web site at www.collegezone.com.