SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois recently became the first state in the United States to provide free comprehensive test prep services to all students attending public universities and five community college.

The Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program is a new initiative, removing financial barriers for students preparing for admissions and licensing exams. More than 200,000 Illinois students are now eligible to enroll in more than 40 courses for absolutely no cost. These include exams such as the GRE, LSAT, and NCLEX as well as courses in data analytics, cybersecurity, real estate, and more.

This program comes from a commitment by the State of Illinois, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), and leading educational services provider, Kaplan. Its aim is to boost in-state enrollment in public universities and create career pathways for students from underserved urban and rural communities, and address the state’s critical shortages in essential professions such as doctors, nurses, and teachers. 

“Providing free test and licensing preparation courses for students is an important measure to help remove some of the financial barriers students face in advancing their education and careers,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “ISAC is pleased to partner with Kaplan to provide these services, and I highly encourage all eligible students to enroll in a relevant course this year.”