
Illinois launches program to ease college applications, grant automatic admission to public schools based on GPA
Called One Click College Admit, it's a statewide direct admissions program for all of Illinois' public universities and community colleges. High school students and transfer students will receive automatic admission to the state's public universities by meeting one sole criteria: grade point average.
High school seniors can apply now by creating a common application account and submitting their grades. Community college students will be able to apply for transfers starting in January.
The new program waives applications, application fees, essays and letters of recommendations for students.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Marion County Schools keep kids fed another year
FAIRMONT — Marion County Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch to students for the fourth year in a row. The Community Eligibility Program provides universal meal service to children in high poverty areas through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act passed by President Barack Obama in 2010. The program will feed potentially up to 7,000 children each day, with 21 schools participating in the program. "We know academic achievement increases when our students are well-fed and ready to learn, and we must provide secure and reliable access to nutritious meals so all students have a chance to achieve at the highest level possible," Superintendent Donna Heston said. Schools are eligible if at least 25% of a school's student population is directly certified for free meal benefits. If that threshold is hit, the entire school qualifies for the option. This approach is an alternative to collecting, approving and verifying household eligibility for free and reduced price lunch for students in high poverty Local Education Agencies. The CEP is not unique to Marion County Schools, districts all over the country apply to the program. The 2017 Feeding America report says that in West Virginia, more than 14% of residents and more than 79,000 children live in food insecure households. Heston said the school district offers backpack programs, which sends students home with items from food pantries for the evening and weekends. It also helps grand families, which are families where children are raised by grandparents. Heston said West Virginia is the second highest in the nation when it comes to grandparents raising school aged children. Marion County Board of Education met a final time before students return to class on Wednesday. Heston reported that due to the hard work of school district staff, all schools will open on time despite extensive construction and repair work at Watson Elementary and Monongah Elementary. Watson had a roof replacement from the Father's Day Flood and there was asbestos mitigation at Monongah. "That's a testament to our teachers and all of the staff at Watson," Heston said. "They want to make that building the absolute best it can be when they welcome families." The Board of Education also approved a roughly $200,000 bid from the Huffman Corporation for a mantrap entrance at East Fairmont Middle School. The district is working at installing mantraps at its schools, with funding from the West Virginia School Building Authority helping pay for nine mantrap entrances at other schools in the County. The project is forecast to be finished next year. Board member Donna Costello noted the school district was losing more of its maintenance staff, leaving the department at half strength. Heston replied they have 11 maintenance personnel for 21 schools. "They are retiring, and as we know, the history that they have we cannot replace in Marion County Schools and the knowledge of those buildings," Heston said. "Roofers, electricians are vital roles." Costello asked if the tests the state mandates trade personnel must pass are bottlenecking the hiring process, calling the tests antiquated. Heston said the state is in the process of updating the tests. The board is set to provide Heston with her goals for the new school year sometime in the next few weeks. The next regular session is Sept. 2. Solve the daily Crossword

Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Great Cardboard Boat Race raises over $170,000 for Crossroads United Way
ELKHART — The Great Cardboard Boat Race presented by NIBCO made waves with its most successful year yet. A record 71 boats competed at the LaSalle Bristol Pond in Welch Packaging corrugated cardboard boats, and thanks to the generosity of teams, donors and sponsors, the event raised over $170,000 to support families across Elkhart, LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties. 'This year's race was nothing short of incredible,' said Bill Purcell, president and CEO of Crossroads United Way. 'The record-breaking fundraising and turnout show just how committed our community is to coming together, having fun and making a real difference for local families.' The racing competition was fierce and fun, with the Bristol Fire Department's 'Boat Jovi Slippery When Wet' taking first place overall. Second place went to Welch Packaging's 'Yellow Submarine,' followed by Utilimaster's 'Whip It' in third. Fourth place was claimed by Welch Packaging's 'Margaritaville,' with Indiana Michigan Power's 'A Sea D Sea' in fifth. Alliance's 'Aquaholics' captured sixth, Goshen Health's 'Vital Signs' came in seventh, and Newmar's 'Back in Black' rounded out the top eight. The Bristol Fire Department also took home top honors in the special First Responders Race, while NIBCO's 'Redneck Yacht Club' received the coveted Cardboard Crusader Award. Special recognition also went to several standout boats in the Judges' Choice categories. The United Way Design Award was presented to Grand Design's 'Jumpin' Jack Splash,' while the Judges' Overall Choice Award went to Alliance RV's 'Iron Maiden.' Fundraising was a highlight of the day as well. LaSalle Bristol earned the award for the most dollars raised, while Winnebago Industries and Grand Design's 'Jumpin' Jack Splash' captured the award for the most individual donors. Finally, in one of the most spirited traditions of the race, the 'Wonder that Went Down Under' award for the best sink was given to Ben's Pretzels. More information about Crossroads United Way or to get involved: Solve the daily Crossword


CBS News
24 minutes ago
- CBS News
Here's why military helicopters will be flying over Boston this week
Military helicopters will fly over Boston as part of the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th birthday celebration, happening Wednesday through Sunday. Residents of East Boston, Charlestown, Winthrop and Chelsea will likely see increased helicopter traffic this week. The celebration will include four military helicopters flying from Logan Airport to the Boston Common in the morning and returning in the evening to display the aircraft on the Common. Other events include public workouts with the Marines, the Quantico Marine Band and a ceremony at Fort Sewall. "For centuries, the Marine Corps has had a storied history in Boston," said Col. J.J. Wilson, commander of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 250, the unit leading the Marine Corps' year-long commemoration. "We're grateful for the support of the people of Boston and Massachusetts, where American Marines have been stationed since the Corps' beginning." The U.S. Marine Corps was authorized by an act of the Second Continental Congress. Capt. Samuel Nicholas established the first Marine Corps recruiting command at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia on Nov. 10, 1775. Thursday, Aug. 21 Friday, Aug. 22 Saturday, Aug. 23 Sunday, Aug. 24 Other events include wreath-laying ceremonies on Boston Common and color ceremonies at Boston City Hall. For a full schedule of events, visit the Marine250 website.