Lake Land Board Authorizes Tuition Waivers for Special Events to Boost Recruitment

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | September, 2025

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a series of special event tuition waivers for the 2026 fiscal year aimed at recruiting local high school students and engaging the community. The waivers will be awarded as prizes at academic competitions, leadership conferences, and community events like National Manufacturing Day.

Tuition Waiver Program Key Points:

• The board approved tuition waivers for seven different special events to be held in fiscal year 2026.

• Awards will be given at events such as the Business and Computer Contest, a High School Leadership Conference, and Manufacturing Day.

• A full tuition waiver will be offered to Miss Illinois 2025 if she chooses to attend Lake Land College.

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, September 8, 2025, approved a comprehensive package of tuition waivers for fiscal year 2026 to be used as prizes and incentives at various recruitment and community events. The waivers are intended to attract prospective students and strengthen the college’s ties with local high schools and organizations.

The approved waivers include:

• Eleven three-credit-hour waivers for first-place winners at the annual Business and Computer Contest.

• Six three-credit-hour waivers for participants in National Manufacturing Day events hosted with the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and Coles Together.

• Five three-credit-hour waivers for winning participants of the High School Leadership Conference hosted by the Student Government Association.

• Five three-credit-hour waivers for attendees of the Principals, Deans, and Counselors meeting.

• A full tuition waiver for Miss Illinois 2025, should she decide to enroll at Lake Land.

• Up to four three-credit-hour waivers for senior night at Mattoon High School basketball games.

• One three-credit-hour waiver for the Mattoon High School Project Graduation event.

During the discussion, Trustee Larry D. Lilly questioned why waivers were offered for Mattoon High School events but not other schools. Kelly Allee, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, explained it was part of a marketing and branding partnership, and she agreed to explore similar outreach to other high schools in the district.