JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

After College Checklist

  • Determine your cost of living and then establish a budget to ensure you're living within your means based on your income..
  • Refine your résumé and actively search for a job.
  • Be prepared to pay back any student loans directly following your grace period of six to nine months.
  • If you received any scholarships or grants that carried specific terms and conditions once you’ve completed your degree, be sure to fulfill all requirements and obligations to prevent your award from converting to a loan, which must be repaid with interest.