Bring the grit. Reach the goal.
Get started on or advance your career in health care.
Welcome to PATH
The PATH program, funded through an Illinois Community College Board grant, aims to serve, create, support and expand the opportunities for individuals in nursing and select health care pathways to obtain certificates and degrees, allowing them to enter and/or advance their careers in the health care industry.
What we provide
The PATH grant provides resources for short-term and long-term education/training programs designed to help participants gain employment in high-wage and in-demand occupations within the health care field. Students receive supports, which may include compensation to help cover basic costs while receiving the training.
Programs
- Central Sterile Service Technician
- Clinical Medical Assistant
- CNA to CMA Bridge
- ECG Technician
- Emergency Medical Services (Paramedic, A-EMT, EMT and EMR)
- Medical Coding
- Neurodiagnostic Technology
- Nursing: RN (Associate Degree Nursing and LPN to ADN Transition), LPN (Practical Nurse) and CNA (Basic Nurse Assistant)
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Phlebotomy
- Radiography
- Respiratory Care
- Sonography: Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Vascular Sonography
- Surgical Technology (and Transition to Surgical Technology AAS)
PATH student support services
As a PATH participant, you may be eligible to receive assistance with:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and materials
- Education stipend
- Transportation stipend
- Childcare
- Waiver for prior unpaid fees owed to LLCC
- Loanable laptop and Wi-Fi hotspots (if program availability permits)
- Tutoring
- Essential and employability skills training
- Job placement
Eligibility
In order to participate in the PATH program, you must:
- Reside within the LLCC district
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who meets certain eligibility requirements
- Meet the requirements of selected training program
And meet one of the following, being:
- An incumbent worker (already employed but needs training to upgrade skills to secure full-time employment, advance in career or retain current position) OR a new, entering student on a nursing or healthcare pathway with an identified need for support
In addition to one or more of the following:
- Low income (i.e., qualify for federal financial aid such as receiving SNAP benefits, Medicaid or TANF)
- A first-generation student (meaning your parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree) or
- Minority students and other underrepresented populations
Ready to begin?
The spring 2025 PATH application is now open!
Please note:
- First, students must apply to LLCC to be eligible for PATH funding.
- Need help activating your LLCC email? Please visit Activating Your Account. If you are still having difficulties after reviewing the link, please email the LLCC Helpdesk or call 217-786-2555.
- Compete your free FAFSA® Application.
- Select the healthcare program that you desire to complete.
- Make an appointment with your student success advisor to register for classes and review your desired program.
If you are a previous LLCC student and have a past due balance that you would like for the PATH program to cover, please set up a meeting with the PATH director to discuss the completion of a memorandum of understanding.
Once these steps have been completed and the PATH Interest Form sent to the PATH team, an email will be sent to all interested students with a link to the PATH application for completion.