It was created with the express purpose of expanding learning opportunities for Illinois citizens and streamlining their ability to receive services. Through the consortium, colleges have a mechanism for working together, sharing responsibilities and sharing cost, to deliver a new level of education and service to Illinois. They can choose from what is available online around the state and more accurately pursue their educational and career interests. By working through their home college, students have one point of service. Advising, billing and transcripts are all handled through their home institution.
Students also keep tuition to in-district costs because they are attending their home college.
Students benefit from one point of service and expanded course offerings. Online course and program development can be shared throughout the state to create a full body of offerings for higher education and business and industry. It is designed to give flexibility to the college. Colleges sometimes find themselves faced with a student demand for a course exceeding the supply. Not all programs will have a full body of students to make the cost of program creation feasible.