Report finds barriers to college for some llinois students

Tyshawn Allison dreamed of leaving Chicago for a prestigious out-of-state university.

But for most of high school, that dream felt out of reach. The 19-year-old had no idea how he’d afford rising tuition costs — and he doubted his grades would be enough for a scholarship. Only a handful of his friends from his Belmont Cragin school made it to college. Many dropped out.

“There were times in high school where I felt like a failure,” said Allison.

It was his mom who first suggested community college. Two years later, Allison holds an associate’s degree in accounting, and will transfer to a four-year university without any debt.

“I wanted to end the circle of stereotypes,” he said. “That’s really what made me want to push myself.”

Allison persisted against the odds.

Higher education rema