We are committed to being inclusive to all students. Our staff can connect you to the resources you need to be successful in college - including scholarship information, advising and more. We invite you to stop by our office at any time during your college journey!
In keeping with our core value of Respect and Inclusion, JJC stands in solidarity and in of support of undocumented students.
As part of our commitment to serve those that identify as Undocumented or DACAmented, we provide:
On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to take appropriate action to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), consistent with applicable law. For more updated information please visit USCIS.
Puedes llamar (815) 280-6888 para recibir respuestas a tus preguntas en español.
Undocumented and DACA students may be eligible to receive privately funded merit-based scholarships or grant aid. They are also eligible to receive state aid by applying to the Rise Act through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Undocumented students are NOT eligible for federal financial aid through the FAFSA.
Need help applying for financial assistance? Visit the Center for Multicultural Access and Success and ask to speak to an Undocumented Student Liaison. You can also call (815) 280-2829 or (815) 280-2631 to make an appointment.
View available scholarships for undocumented students further down on this page.
Students can apply for JJC scholarships through the JJC Foundation. To apply, visit our Scholarships page.
When Can I Apply for Scholarships?
To receive scholarships in the fall semester, you must apply between Feb. 1 and May 1. To receive scholarships in the spring semester, you must apply between Oct. 15 to Nov. 30.
African American Students
Asian American Students
Hispanic / Latinx Students
Immigrant Students
Native American Students
Undocumented students can apply for JJC scholarships through the JJC Foundation. To apply, visit our Scholarships page.
JJC scholarships created to support undocumented students include but are not limited to:
When Can I Apply for Scholarships?
To receive scholarships in the fall semester, you must apply between Feb. 1 and May 1. To receive scholarships in the spring semester, you must apply between Oct. 15 to Nov. 30.
Students should begin looking for scholarships as early as possible to maximize funding opportunities. Contact individuals, groups, or colleges/universities about resources that may be available.
Visit the Center for Multicultural Access and Success (CMAS) to learn about upcoming Scholarship Seeker Series Workshops and scholarships offered specifically to undocumented students.
If you have received a scholarship check from an external donor outside of JJC, bring the scholarship check to:
To donate to JJC-funded scholarships, please visit the JJC Giving page. Make sure in the comment section you write the name of the scholarship you would like to donate.
JJC's Peer Mentor program will pair you up with a fellow student who will quickly become one of your friends! Our peer mentors will talk to you about their experiences, challenges and celebrations at JJC, and you can talk to them about your own experiences as well.
This program is designed to help new students learn about the school, show them where to go if they need help and more.
DeAndre R. Butler, Senior Director
Phone: (815) 280-2303
Email: debutler@jjc.edu
DeAndre R. Butler is a TRIO/Student Support Services alum from Northern Illinois University. At NIU, he achieved his bachelor’s degree in sociology. In 2007, Butler landed his first job in the higher education field at Colorado Technical University Online, as an Admissions Advisor. He decided to further his education in higher ed and student affairs and graduated with a master's degree in education from NIU in 2010.
Butler was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois and came from a first-generation and low-income household where he was the first in his family to graduate with his bachelor’s. He is very committed to his work with JJC Student Support Services. Butler is a strong believer in assisting students on being successful while attending JJC so that they can graduate and transfer. He is actively involved with organizations, clubs and committees for the benefit of his students and department.
Michelle Roman-Garcia, Director
Phone: (815) 280-6680
Email: mroman@jjc.edu
Michelle Roman-Garcia serves as the Director of the Center of Multicultural Access and Success (CMAS). In this capacity, she leads the CMAS recruitment and retention efforts for multicultural and undocumented students as well as advocacy and academic support. Roman-Garcia and her team also develop targeted minority outreach programs such as the annual Black Teen Summit and Latino Empowerment Conference. She is the Chair for both the Hispanic-Serving Institution Sub-committee of the President’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council and the Undocumented Student Taskforce which seeks to develop programs and implement policies to ensure the educational access and academic success of Dreamers.
Roman-Garcia has more than 28 years of experience in higher education working first in the area of Admissions at both Aurora University and Illinois Benedictine University. Prior to Joliet Junior College, she was employed at College of DuPage (COD) where she first worked as a Project Manager for Minority Recruitment, then as an Academic Adviser, Outreach and Retention Specialist for the Multicultural Center, to lastly, Coordinator of the ENLACE (Engaging Latino Communities for Education) program. Roman-Garcia holds a Master’s Degree from Northeastern Illinois University in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Roman-Garcia, whose parents migrated to the U.S. from Puerto Rico, currently resides in Glen Ellyn. Roman-Garcia habla español.
Veronica Cabrera, Success Coach
Phone: (815) 280-2829
Email: vmascote@jjc.edu
Veronica Cabrera is a proud JJC alum. After earning her associate of arts degree in education at JJC, she attended Northern Illinois University and obtained both a bachelor of arts in psychology and a bachelor of science in communicative disorders (with an emphasis in speech language pathology). She also earned her masters of science from NIU in higher education and student affairs.
Before her current role at JJC, Cabrera was an intern for the Counseling Office. She was also a graduate assistant at Waubonsee Community College where she worked with student leaders, staff and faculty to plan, organize, promote, supervise and evaluate Student Life programs, events, and activities.
Cabrera was a first generation college student herself. She understands the difficulties and fears first year students face when attending college.
In addition to her work in higher education, Cabrera volunteers her time to be a catechist at her church. When she is not at work, she can usually be found watching Netflix, listening to music, taking long walks and spending time with her family and friends. Cabrera is an active member of NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) and ILACHE (Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education). In addition, she is also a proud Safe Zone Ally at JJC. Cabrera habla español.
LeeAntwann McCline, Success Coach
Phone: (815) 280-2631
Email: lmccline@jjc.edu
LeeAntwann McCline is from Robbins, Illinois and graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's of arts in communication. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He earned his master of science degree in higher education from Eastern Illinois University and a master of business administration from Purdue University. Working with students from various backgrounds has always been a passion of his. It is his belief that if he is able to help a single student reach their academic potential, then he has done his job as a higher education professional. McCline is also a die-hard Packer's fan.
Edith Martinez, Secretary for the Center of Multicultural Access & Success
Email: edith.martinez@jjc.edu
Phone: (815) 280-6709
Edith Martinez is a lifetime resident of Joliet. She has more than 20 years of experience in early education (K-12). She has a certificate of translating and interpreting in Spanish from Triton College and previously attended JJC. Martinez habla español.
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