Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, 1:00-3:00 PM

Belleville Campus Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville, IL, 62221

High School students and community college transfer students are invited to meet with more than 100 colleges and universities and attend financial aid and transfer planning workshops. This event is free and open to the public.

College Fair: 1:00-3:00 PM
Financial Aid Q&As – MC 1410: 12:45 PM-2:45 PM
Katie Dawson Director of Financial Aid, Veteran Services, and Student Employment

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

1. Review college catalogs in your high school guidance office or visit the college websites before the fair. Develop questions to ask the representative at the fair.
2. Select your “must see” colleges in priority order. Allocate time at the fair to speak with each one.
3. Attend workshop on Financial Aid, if applicable to your college needs.
4. 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.
5. Pick up business cards of the admissions representative or handouts and jot notes on the back for follow-up later.
6. Visit planning websites such as NACAC Student and Parent College Planning Resources, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and College Board

2024 Participating Colleges and Universities

Check back often for additions or cancellations. Last updated 2/18/2025

COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS

• Augustana 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
• Southern Illinois University – College of Pharmacy
• Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
• Saint Francis College of Nursing
• 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
• Saint Louis University
• Southeast Missouri State University
• University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
• University of Missouri
• University of Missouri – St. Louis
• University of Missouri – Kansas City
• 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
• Kent State University, OH
• Murray State University, KY
• Ohio University, OH
• Prescott College, AZ
• 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 Memphis, TN
• University of Mississippi, MS
• University of Notre Dame, IN
• University of Southern Indiana, IN
• University of Tennessee at Martin, TN
• Wabash College, IN
• West Point, NY
• Xavier University, OH

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

• Laura Vahlkamp (On-Site Coordinator), Southwestern Illinois College
• Brandi Brown Harris, (Fair Planning Committee Co-Chair)Southwestern Illinois College
• Sarah Gruenewald, Southwestern Illinois College
• Kelsey Fritsche, Southwestern Illinois College
• Celia Toenjes, Southwestern Illinois College
• Merle Wilder, Father McGivney Catholic High School
• Amanda Guinn, Belleville West High School
• Anne Meinert, Freeburg High School
• John Young, Freeburg High School