Save the Date! March 18th 2026
Check Back for Updates & More Information!
Belleville Campus Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL, 62221
High school students, community college transfer students, and non-traditional degree-seekers in the St. Louis Greater Metro Area are invited to meet with up to 100 colleges & universities. This event is free and open to the public. SWIC is accessible via Metro train, bus, bike trail, and free parking for visitors.
College Fair: 6 – 8 PM
All students must register at www.strivefair.com prior to entering the fair.
- Families are asked to park in lots M3 or M4 and enter the building through entrance F near the cafeteria.
Parking is available in lot M3 or M4. Students and guests, please enter through entrance F near the cafeteria.
College Fair Planning Resources and Tips
- Meet with your high school counselor and visit college websites to research and develop questions to ask representatives at the fair.
- Visit planning websites such as NACAC Student and Parent College Planning Resources, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and College Board
- Select your “must see” colleges in priority order. Allocate time at the fair to speak with each one.
- Take the opportunity to learn about colleges new to you and colleges that are further away to visit. Local colleges are likely to be available to speak with at other fairs in the area if you run short on time.
- Pick up business cards of the admissions representative or handouts and jot notes on the back for follow-up later.
2025 Participating Colleges and Universities
Check back often for additions or cancellations. Last updated 2/18/2025
COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS
- Augustana College
- Blackburn College
- Bradley University
- Concordia University Chicago
- Dominican University
- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois College
- Illinois State University
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- Illinois Wesleyan University
- Knox College
- McKendree University
- Millikin University
- Monmouth College
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Parkland College Institute of Aviation
- Principia College
- Quincy University
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Saint Francis College of Nursing
- Southern Illinois University – College of Pharmacy
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- SWIC – Technical Education
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois Springfield
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Western Illinois University
COLLEGES IN MISSOURI
- Maryville University
- Missouri State University
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Ranken Technical College
- Saint Louis University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
- University of Missouri
- University of Missouri – Kansas City
- University of Missouri – St. Louis
- Washington University
- Webster University
- Westminster College
COLLEGES NATIONWIDE
- Butler University, IN
- Catholic University of America, D.C.
- DePauw University, IN
- Drake University, IA
- Florida Tech, FL
- Grand Canyon University, AZ
- Indiana State University, IN
- Iowa State University, IA
- Kansas State University, KS
- Murray State University, KY
- Prescott College, AZ
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, IN
- U.S. Naval Academy, MD
- University of Alabama, AL
- University of Arkansas, AR
- University of Evansville, IN
- University of Iowa, IA
- University of Kansas, KS
- University of Louisville, KY
- University of Notre Dame, IN
- University of South Alabama, AL
- University of Southern Indiana, IN
- Wabash College, IN
College Fair Information
FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP, 12:45-2:45 PM in MC 1410
Financial Aid 101 – Types, Qualifications, & Processes
Presenter: Katie Dawson, Director of Financial Aid, Veteran Services & Student Employment
Students and families will learn about the financial aid process and the steps to maximize and simplify the financial aid process. Open to all students and families.
ABOUT THE FAIR
The college fair is coordinated by Southwestern Illinois College in partnership with a committee of local high school representatives. The fair is sponsored in conjunction with the Illinois Association for College Admissions Counselors (IACAC) and is part of the statewide Illinois Regional College Fair (IRCF) schedule.
Institutions wishing to participate may register here: St. Louis Metro East Baccalaureate College Fair
COLLEGE FAIR COMMITTEE & Volunteers
- Sarah Gruenewald (On-Site Coordinator), Southwestern Illinois College
- Charles Mosley, Southwestern Illinois College
- Brandi Brown-Harris, Southwestern Illinois College
- Alyanna Morrow, Southwestern Illinois College
- Kelsey Fritsche, Southwestern Illinois College
- Danielle Hernandez, Southwestern Illinois College
- Tabatha Wagner, Southwestern Illinois College
- Merle Wilder, Father McGivney High School
- Amanda Guinn, Center for Vocational Excellence
- Anne Meinert, Freeburg High School
- John Young, Freeburg High School
- Kelsey Baum, Center for Educational Opportunity Academy