St. Louis Metro East Illinois Regional College Fair - Southwestern Illinois College

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 Workshops: 1:15-1:45 PM and 2:15-2:45 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

  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 2/28/2024

COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS

COLLEGES IN MISSOURI

COLLEGES NATIONWIDE


College Fair Information

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP, 1:15-1:45 PM OR 2:15-2:45 PM in MC 1410/1411
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
  • Beth Garcia, (Fair Planning Committee Co-Chair) Southwestern Illinois College
  • Brandi Brown Harris, (Fair Planning Committee Co-Chair)Southwestern Illinois College
  • Wyatt Bridger, Southwestern Illinois College
  • Sarah Gruenewald, Southwestern Illinois College
  • Kelsey Fritsche, Southwestern Illinois College
  • Merle Wilder, Father McGivney Catholic High School
  • Amanda Guinn, Belleville West High School
  • Megan Wright, Dupo High School
  • Anne Meinert, Freeburg High School
  • Abbey Miles, Sparta High School
  • Elyse Rench, Columbia High School