YOUR EDUCATION. 
YOUR WAY.

OPTIONS FOR THE WORKING LEARNER 

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Work. Family. Bills. You want your degree, but you’ve got so many responsibilities. 
We get it. And we're here to help. 

You want a better job to help reach your career goals, but you don’t know where to start. At Heartland Community College, we’re ready to help you get where you want to be – without a huge time commitment or more financial stress.

Scholarships are available to students who are working full-time!

Explore Scholarships
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I want my daughters to be proud of me and know it's never too late, no matter the barriers we may face. There is no time limit on your success!
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<span style='font-family: "Roboto Slab", serif; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; color: rgb(3, 53, 114);'>Nikki Johnson, CNA</span>
- Nikki Johnson, CNA

Nikki got a certificate as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) through Heartland's WEI program. Now, she is continuing her education at Heartland to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) while working full-time at Carle Bromenn Hospital as an ER Nurse Technician.  

Flexible Academic Options

Online and In-Person Course Offerings

Take courses the way that best fits into your schedule and learning style. At Heartland, many courses have both online and in-person sections to choose from. With three campus locations in Normal, Lincoln and Pontiac, we want to make succeeding in the courses you need as easy as possible.

8- and 16-Week Formats

Don't have the time for a semester-long class or just want to get done quicker? Both 8 - and 16-week courses are available at Heartland, so you've got the flexibility to get your education on your timeline.  

Prior Learning and Work Experience Credit

Did you know that you can get course credit for having work experience in the field you're studying or for classes you've taken in the past? You don't want to take classes on subjects you already know, and we don't want you to either!


Learn more about Prior Learning at Heartland.

Degree Seeking and Work-Ready Programs

Going to college doesn't always have to mean a years-long commitment to obtain a degree. Whether you're looking to obtain an Associate degree, transfer to a four-year institution or upskill to advance in your career, Heartland has options tailored to your goals.

Browse all degrees and certificate programs that Heartland has to offer!

Program Catalog
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My instructors have experience working in the industry, so they know what it's like. Their experience has helped me in my development. 
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<span style='font-family: "Roboto Slab", serif; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; color: rgb(3, 53, 114);'>Nick Mock</span>
- Nick Mock

Nick is currently enrolled at Heartland, studying Industrial Technology through the Rivian Apprenticeship program. 

Have questions? Get immediate answers.

Tailored Support Services

Going to college or returning to college at a different chapter in your life can be a daunting task to tackle. With Heartland's wrap-around support services, you will be supported personally, academically, and professionally the second you walk through our doors. 

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Evening Childcare

The Child Development Lab (CDL) offers affordable, evening childcare for parents attending Heartland. This service is available Monday-Thursday from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at the Normal campus. Students may be eligible for free childcare.

Night Hawks Program
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Bus Transportation

Heartland students can ride any Bloomington-Normal Connect Transit bus for free with a valid HCC ID. The yellow line has three different pick-up and drop-off locations throughout the Normal campus and runs on a 15-minute frequency during peak hours.

Yellow Route Map
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Tutoring Services

Tutoring services are available at all three Heartland locations and are offered both in-person and online. You can either schedule an appointment or utilize drop-in hours to get the help you need on a variety of subjects.

Tutoring Services
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Success Coaching

Success Coaches help you transition to college, develop goals, connect with resources, and offer ongoing support and encouragement. With both scheduled and drop-in appointments, it’s convenient to meet with a coach.

Student Success
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Student Access and Accommodations

This campus resource assists students with a disability and/or diagnosis to ensure they have the proper accommodations they need to thrive. Services include testing assistance, screen readers, interpreters, and note takers. 

Student Access and Accommodations
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Penn Family Student Veterans Center

The Penn Family Student Veterans Center on the Normal campus serves as a resource for Armed Forces veterans currently attending Heartland by providing a welcoming and secure gathering space for peer group discussions. Staff can assist with education benefits, disability compensation and pension, and medical services. 

Penn Family Student Veterans Center
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Project RISE/TRIO

This program assists students that have a verifiable disability, have a limited income or are the first in their family to attend college, helping them in becoming familiar with campus and accomplishing their educational goals through progress monitoring, providing financial literacy education, transfer assistance, personal counseling, and hosting cultural events.

Project RISE/TRIO
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Library Services

The Library on the Normal campus is a one-stop shop for anything you might need when it comes to research, finding books, or utilizing the open computer lab equipped with free printing. 


Enrolled students can also request to borrow laptops and WiFi hotspots at no additional cost!

Heartland Library

Financial Assistance

On top of the hundreds of scholarships offered every year, Heartland has scholarships available
for students who are working full-time (35+ hours per week).

State and Federal Grants

After applying to Heartland, you will want to apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This aid will award you grants based on your and/or your parent(s)' finances. 


Additional aid is available to you through the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant. This award may be available to you even if you aren't eligible for federal financial aid.

Scholarships

Each year, the Heartland Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships that total nearly $500,000. These scholarships are available to a wide variety of students, including, but not limited to, those who are:

  • Entering a high-demand field (technology, welding, nursing, etc.)
  • Experiencing financial need
  • Non-traditional aged students (22+ years old)
  • The first member of their family to attend college
  • Working full-time while attending school (35+ hours per week)

Explore the different ways our Financial Aid office can help you save!

Paying for College
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This was a big turning point from what I was doing before. Now I'm qualified to move on to a successful career!
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<span style='font-family: "Roboto Slab", serif; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; color: rgb(3, 53, 114);'>Ben Salem Lunsu</span>
- Ben Salem Lunsu

Ben completed the Computer Networking Support Specialist certificate in December 2023.

Want more information about how to get started?

Every student is unique and so are their needs. Let us help you get you what you need to be successful. Fill out the form below and a member of our Admissions team will be in touch soon!

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