City Colleges of Chicago

Be Future Ready

City Colleges of Chicago is taking affordable education to the next level. Eligible Chicagoans can now prepare for a new career in a matter of weeks or months and at a price that’s unbeatable.

Read the requirements below to see if you’re eligible for Future Ready. Then, enroll in a short-term program in a high-demand field, and your tuition costs will be covered.

Please note that Future Ready is a last-dollar award, meaning if you are eligible for financial aid, scholarships, or other grants, that funding will be applied to your tuition costs before your Future Ready funding is applied. Future Ready funding does not pay for your books or potential other charges.

I’m Interested!

Who can participate in the Future Ready program?

  • Chicago residents, and
  • Students new to City Colleges, including:
    • Students who have only taken adult education courses
    • Students who have only taken Continuing Education courses
  • Or, students who are returning to City Colleges after 2 spring/fall semesters away, who left City Colleges in good standing, and must complete a new City Colleges application
  • Students with undocumented status are eligible to apply to Future Ready

Choose from Credit or Continuing Education Programs

Credit Programs

  • Earn college credit
  • Work towards earning a credential in one of the programs listed below
  • Classes may be transferable to degree programs at City Colleges or to other colleges and universities

How Future Ready works for credit programs: Future Ready is a last-dollar scholarship for students pursuing credit programs. Students apply for financial aid and Future Ready makes up any difference in tuition cost.

Continuing Education Programs

  • May earn industry-recognized professional credentials
  • No college credit
  • Classes generally non-transferable

How Future Ready works for continuing education programs: Qualifying students enrolling in Future Ready Continuing Education programs that are not financial aid eligible will take the programs for free.

Explore Future Ready Programs

View the list below and click on the program for more details.
You can also utilize the search filters. Press the clear filters button to start a new search.
View the list below and click on the program or + button for more details.
You can also utilize the search filters. Press the clear filters button to start a new search.
wdt_ID Credential Program Name Campus Plan Code Credit Hours or CE* Duration Information About the Program Where to apply
274 Basic Certificate Architectural Digital Media Harold Washington College 0132 9 2 semesters
275 Basic Certificate Automotive Body Repainting Technology Kennedy-King College 0111 22 2 semesters
276 Basic Certificate Autobody Reconstruction Tech Kennedy-King College 0112 22 2 semesters
277 Basic Certificate Automotive Techology Olive-Harvey College 0116 20 1 semester
278 Basic Certificate Automotive Techology Truman College 0116 20 1 semester
Credential Program Name Campus Plan Code Credit Hours or CE* Duration

* Continuing Education programs have 0 credit hours

Things you should know 

  • Students must complete their program in 150% time. For example, if a student applies to a two-year program, they must complete the program in three years. If a student goes beyond that time period, classes are no longer free through Future Ready.
  • Future Ready only covers courses that are on your program plan and are required to complete the selected program.  Talk to an advisor if you are unsure whether a class will count towards Future Ready.
  • Students can only use Future Ready funds to pay for one college credential (BC, AC, continuing education course, or AAS-Criminal Justice – Pathway to Policing (One Year and Out) cohort program).
  • Students with prior debt to City Colleges are encouraged to look into whether they are eligible to return to City Colleges through the Fresh Start program which allows students who left in good standing over the last decade to return and “learn off” their debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Future Ready program?

  • New students to City Colleges, including:
    • Students who have only taken adult education courses
    • Students who have only taken Continuing Education courses
  • Previously enrolled students who have been away from CCC for 2 spring/fall semesters and who left City Colleges in good standing.  These students must complete a new City Colleges application.
  • Students with undocumented status are eligible to apply to Future Ready
  • Chicago residents only

Where does a student find the list of Future Ready programs?

  • The list of Future Ready programs is available on the website, www.ccc.edu/futureready.  New students also receive an email after they submit the basic CCC application and receive a pop-up message in their student portal that directs them to the program list.

How do students apply for the Future Ready programs?

  • Go to ccc.edu/futureready to learn about the programs.
  • Select the application method that matches your desired program (credit or continuing education application). You can follow the application links under the “How to Apply” column in the chart of Future Ready programs found at ccc.edu/futureready.
  • Submit either a CCC credit application or continuing education application form.
  • For credit students, after submitting the CCC credit application:
    1. Get the log-in credentials from the email CCC sent you.
    2. Use your log-in credentials to access the my.ccc.edu student portal.
    3. Once in the portal, go to the link for pre-registration (or new student registration check list) and complete those steps.
    4. Complete the residency verification to verify you are a Chicago resident.
    5. Apply for financial aid. Undocumented students do not apply for Financial Aid.
    6. When you get to selecting a program plan, please contact a college advisor to help you change your program to a Future Ready program.
      1. An advisor will need to change your program plan for you. It is critical that you change your program to a Future Ready-eligible program.
      2. You can reach an advisor online through edu/vss or by visiting your college.
    7. Ask your advisor for the list of courses you should take on your program plan.
    8. Enroll in at least one fall course on your Future Ready program plan.
    9. You should now be eligible for Future Ready and will receive an email and a message in your student portal congratulating you.
    10. Complete the Future Ready consent form and all of the steps in the Future Ready checklist. You will receive more information about how to complete these steps in your congratulations email.
  • For continuing education students, fill out the fields in your application.
    1. City Colleges will inform you via email whether you have successfully enrolled in the continuing education course.
    2. When it is determined you meet the criteria for Future Ready, you will receive an email and message in your portal with congratulations.

How many courses will Future Ready cover? Is there a time limit for completing Future Ready programs?

  • Future Ready will cover all of the courses on your Future Ready program plan, assuming you complete in 150% time.  For example, 150% time means if a student applies to a two semester program, they must complete the program in three semesters. If a student goes beyond that 150% time period, classes are no longer free through Future Ready. Future Ready does not cover courses that are off your program plan.

If I am in a Future Ready program, which courses are no cost?

  • Courses that are on your program plan and are required to complete your chosen program are covered through Future Ready. Please note that Future Ready only covers the costs of your tuition. You will be expected to pay for your books and potential other charges.

If I am in a Future Ready program and take a class off of my program plan, will it be covered?

  • No. Only courses on your program plan will be covered through Future Ready.

When do I need to apply for financial aid?

  • Students that are financial aid eligible who are planning to enroll in Future Ready credit programs must submit a FAFSA at fafsa.gov and all supporting documentation each award year while in the program (the award year begins in fall and ends in summer). Supporting documentation may include but is not limited to: income/identity verification, unusual enrollment history, bachelor’s degree, etc.
  • Students that are not eligible to complete the FAFSA (undocumented students) who are planning to enroll in Future Ready credit programs must complete the “Ineligible to Complete FAFSA” form in their student portals at my.ccc.edu each award year while in the program.
  • Future ready is last-dollar, meaning it will cover the costs of your program after financial aid and other scholarships and grants have been applied. 

If a program is covered by Future Ready, why do I need to apply for financial aid?

  • Future Ready is a last dollar scholarship for credit programs. If you are eligible to apply for financial aid, you must do so to remain eligible for Future Ready. Future Ready will pick up tuition costs for your program not covered by financial aid or other grants/scholarships.
    • For credit programs, students apply for financial aid and Future Ready makes up for any difference in tuition costs.

If I have prior debt with City Colleges, can I take advantage of Future Ready?

  • Students with prior debt to City Colleges should apply to the Fresh Start Debt Forgiveness program.  If you have prior debt, you will see a link to a Fresh Start commitment form in your student portal.  You should complete this commitment form.

What happens if I must withdraw from a class on my Future Ready program plan during the semester?

  • Future Ready funding applies to eligible tuition charges and does not include classes dropped in the current term (NSW, WTH, ADW, etc.).
    • If students withdraw from a class, they can retake it and get it covered the second time, assuming it is within their 150% time to complete and on their program plan. Be sure to check with your advisor that your class is covered by Future Ready if you need to repeat a class.

Am I required to maintain a minimum grade point average while in Future Ready?

  • Students will need to meet the normal minimum GPA requirement to progress toward completion.  There is no additional GPA requirement for Future Ready.

If I am not eligible for financial aid, am I am able to do this program, and if so, is it fully covered for me?

  • Undocumented students are able to take part in this program. You will need to complete a consent form in your student portal stating you are not eligible to complete the FAFSA.

If I am a student who is already on a payment plan or paid in full for fall, can I still receive Future Ready funding?

  • Students who meet the Future Ready criteria and are in a Future Ready program will be applied a tuition waiver. Your account will be updated to reflect this funding during the semester. If you have already paid a portion or all of your tuition for that program, the prior payment for Future Ready courses may be refunded. Be sure to visit the Business Office if you have any questions.

I dropped my Future Ready program. Can I be refunded the money?

  • No.  Future Ready is only used to cover tuition for Future Ready programs.  It is not refundable.

If I am a student who has a SAP hold and otherwise meet the Future Ready criteria, can I take part?

  • Returning students must be in good standing to take part in Future Ready.

Workforce Equity Initiative

City Colleges of Chicago also offers a variety of educational opportunities designed to improve employment outcomes across Chicago’s black, unemployed, and underemployed residents. Learn more about the Workforce Equity Initiative at CCC.

Other Funding Opportunities

Applying for scholarships and grant programs is a big part of many college students’ journeys, and City Colleges offers a range of opportunities for Chicagoans seeking to advance their education and job prospects.