Students eligible for English as a Second Language (ESL) courses receive specialized instruction designed to assist students whose home language is other than English in attaining English language proficiency. ESL instruction includes skills development in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. ESL eligibility is determined by ACCESS scores, WIDA screening assessments, and/or completion of the Home Language Survey. Four-year plans of study for ESL students may vary and modifications to the required course of study may be made based on a student’s individual needs.

College Resources for Undocumented Students / Recursos Universitarios para Estudiantes Indocumentados

Rise Act enables undocumented students in Illinois who meet certain requirements to qualify for the MAP grant (up to $5,340 per year) to use at approximately 140 colleges/universities in Illinois.  Students will be able to apply for this as of January 1, 2020, to use for the next academic year (2020-2021).

College Greenlight site includes scholarships for undocumented students. The student just has to create a profile to see what scholarships match their profile.  The more detailed the profile, the better the matching process of scholarships on the student’s dashboard.

College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students has details regarding admission policies, financial aid and scholarship opportunities at colleges and universities throughout the nation, including who to contact on the respective college if a student has questions.

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights has information in various languages about the rights of undocumented individuals, what to do if they encounter ICE, and a list of qualified immigration attorneys and nonprofits that offer legal advice at low costs.  It’s important that students get immigration advice from qualified individuals.

Tax preparation via LadderUp. It’s important that parents who are undocumented file their tax returns if they are working so their students can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) properly (for students born in the U.S.) or the RISE Act Application for MAP (for students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents). They help families get an ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number) for those parents who do not have a Social Security number and help low-income families file a tax return for free.

Illinois State Board of Education - Multilingual Services
The Multilingual Department provides leadership, advocacy and support to districts, parents and policy makers by promoting equitable access to language support services for students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have been identified as English Learners.

Resources for families of English Learners
Colorín Colorado - A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners.

If you are looking for free Adult ESL / GED classes, please contact:

 Prairie State College: (708) 709-3790 or visit www.prairiestate.edu/adulted