JJC Sets New Standard Through ARPA Grant Funding

After the pandemic disrupted communities nationwide, Joliet Junior College (JJC) partnered with Will County to deliver $2.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant for students studying to work in essential roles. This funding was part of a broader county initiative to invest in local talent and strengthen the healthcare and education workforce. As one of four institutions selected to launch the Will County HEROES Nursing & Teaching Scholarship in 2023, JJC's student-focused approach became a model for effective collaboration and lasting impact.

Under the leadership of Dr. Stephanie McIntyre Braun - JJC's dean of academic intervention, support, and student development grants - the College formed a cross-functional ARPA grant team, including academic affairs, financial aid, marketing and student services. The team's comprehensive campaign reached over 17,000 students, communicating that funding was available and how to apply. They developed a mobile-friendly online application that took less than five minutes to complete, waived FAFSA requirements and prioritized ARPA disbursements ahead of Pell Grants to maximize access. Most impressively, they reduced the turnaround time for application submission to award notification to under five days. This allowed students to act quickly and stay focused on their goals.

The results speak volumes. As of Oct. 1, 2025, 928 students were enrolled, 476 degrees and certificates were awarded, and every dollar was distributed.

"This is not a one-person show," Dr. Braun said. "It's a college-wide commitment to student success."

JJC's HEROES program offered a blueprint for how responsive design can accelerate student engagement, and its success extends beyond campus. In July 2025, the College partnered with Governors State University (GovState) to extend HEROES funding to JJC students transferring into Governors State's health and education programs, disbursing over $300,000. Building on this momentum, a sub-award agreement with Lewis University provided an additional $1 million in ARPA funding to JJC students during the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.

By partnering with GovState and Lewis, JJC strengthened the pipeline of students continuing their education locally, aligning with the HEROES Scholarship mission of students remaining in Will County as nurses and teachers upon graduation.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, 1,228 students received JJC and/or GovState/Lewis dollars. As of Jan. 6, 2026, 678 degrees and certificates were awarded.

"I truly appreciate how Governors State and Lewis provided this financial assistance to JJC students," Dr. Braun said. "Our intention was to collaborate to spend this money and place it in the hands of education and healthcare students within our community, and that is exactly what happened."

At the end of 2025, JJC finished disbursing funds, awarding over $3.8 million total to students since 2023. But the numbers tell only part of the story. The program's true impact is personal.

"Receiving the Will County HEROES Nursing and Teaching Scholarship has been a true blessing in my journey toward a career in healthcare," said nursing student Marquise Ryan. "As a full-time student, part-time worker and father with shared custody of my daughter, this scholarship eased financial burdens and allowed me to stay focused on my education."

Thanks to Will County's investment and ongoing collaboration, the HEROES program not only supports individual students: It helps build a more resilient future for the region's healthcare and education systems.

"The HEROES scholarship has helped hundreds of Will County residents pursue a future in nursing and teaching by offering affordable educational opportunities close to home," said Will County executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. "This has only been possible because of the collaboration between our higher education partners. I greatly appreciate the county board's insight and JJC's leadership in ensuring that this scholarship program can make a positive difference in the lives of students."