Highland Community College - Illinois

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Highland Community College was $7,380 a year for in-state students and $7,560 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until after graduation.

Highland Community College meets 33.27% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Highland Community College is around $6,146 a year.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Highland Community College

Highland Community College is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,380 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Highland Community College?

Highland Community College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Highland Community College:

•Athletic Awards

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Highland Community College Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Highland Community College.

House and Food Costs at Highland Community College

Highland Community College does not offer on-campus housing for students, so there are no charge for dorms, however you should take into account the cost of off-campus housing when comparing the actual cost of various schools Students who live off campus but still want to use the dining facilities can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $4,307.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Highland Community College

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Highland Community College

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Highland Community College, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city may be costly, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. Highland Community Collegeis located in a rural area in Illinois.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for Highland Community College

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Highland Community College.

How Much Does Highland Community College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Highland Community College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$7,380
Out-of-State Tuition	$7,560
Board Only	$1,296

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Highland Community College’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students

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Financial Aid at Highland Community College

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In 2023, 319 of the 1,184 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Highland Community College meets 33.27% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $6,146 a year.

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Highland Community College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Highland Community College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Highland Community College awarded 298 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $2.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school.

Highland Community College Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Highland Community College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Highland Community College was $6,146 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Highland Community College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-3,672
Net In-state, Off-campus	$6,166
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$2,654

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Highland Community College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Highland Community College's net cost calculator on their website.

Highland Community College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Highland Community College does not have guaranteed tuition.

Highland Community College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Highland Community College Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Highland Community College has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Highland Community College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Highland Community College's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Highland Community College

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

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