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March 10, 2026— Illinois officials say a first-in-the-nation program providing free test preparation courses for college students will continue through the academic year and could receive additional funding under the state’s proposed budget.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission announced the continuation of the Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program, a partnership with education company Kaplan that provides free preparation for graduate admissions, professional licensing and credentialing exams.
JB Pritzker has proposed extending funding for the program through fiscal year 2027 as part of his affordability agenda, with a recommended $7 million appropriation.
Since the program launched 13 months ago, the state has invested $9.9 million and more than 12,000 students have registered for courses. Officials estimate participants have saved more than $30 million in test preparation costs.
The program provides free preparation for exams such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT and NCLEX-RN, among others.
Officials say the initiative is designed to expand access to higher education and professional careers, particularly for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. According to the state, more than 60% of participants identify as students of color, and low-income students are accessing preparation courses at five times the rate seen before the program began.
The program is available to students at Illinois’ 12 public universities and is also being piloted at several community colleges, including Joliet Junior College, Carl Sandburg College, Southwestern Illinois College, Malcolm X College and Morton College.
Students interested in participating can register through the program’s website HERE.
