Thank you from the ICAN Team

 Thank you for checking in with the ICAN blog - Career and College Corner. After many years we have decided to transition this service into a format that is more widely accessible. Stay tuned Fall 2021 for new resources to be announced.

In the meantime, if you are looking for planning information visit our website at www.icansucceed.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

You can also schedule a chat with an ICAN advisor at www.icansucceed.org/apt - we offer both virtual and in-person appointments.

Thank you again for your continued interest in helping Iowa students find their future.

The ICAN Team

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

 High school graduation is a milestone that we at ICAN are thrilled to celebrate each year as another class of students moves the tassel and takes their next steps into the future.

Whether you completed graduation last weekend or are in your final day and will walk across the stage over the Memorial Day weekend, we congratulate you on your success and offer these final tips for your future.

• Take it all in. No matter what your next steps are things are going to be different. Over the next days, weeks, and months before Fall, take it all in and enjoy the time with friends and family before you take your next steps. For some you may be moving out right away and beginning a career, for others you have the summer at home before heading off to college or a training program. Enjoy this time and enjoy the people around you. 
• Say thank you. Be sure to take a moment and thank all those in high school and your community who helped you get where you are. 

For those college-bound seniors we offer some additional tips and the reminder that as you move into your next phase of academics, ICAN's team is still here whenever you need us.

• College Orientation. Be sure to sign up for college orientation as soon as you can, and sign up for an early session if you can. Part of orientation is picking classes for your first semester - the earlier you attend the more classes you have to choose from.
• Finalize Financial Aid. If you haven't finalized your financial aid for next year, make sure to review your paperwork and connect with the college to ensure you've taken all the steps necessary. If you need help with loan paperwork or setting up your college budget, schedule an advising session with an ICAN advisor - www.icansucceed.org/apt. We can help you in-person or virtually and make sure you have all the necessary information to find success next year.
• Renew Your Financial Aid. Remember that financial aid is a one year at a time process. You have to reapply each year you enroll in college. Which means come October 1, 2021, you need to file the FAFSA again. Remember that ICAN is here to help and keep our number or website handy so you can schedule a renewal appointment with us. One of the biggest mistakes college students make after their first year is not renewing their FAFSA and losing out on aid. Don't let that happen to you!
• Still Need to File the FAFSA? If you haven't file the FAFSA yet it's NOT too late - just contact us at 877-272-4692 or visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to schedule an appointment. We can have your FAFSA filed in under and hour and have you ready to go to campus next fall.

As you head off to your next destination remember that ICAN is not here just for high school students - we help everyone with their planning needs. So over the next few years, if you have questions, your plans change, or you just need to renew that FAFSA, ICAN is here to help.

Congratulations on your graduation! And here's to your success where ever your next steps take you.

 Brittania - ICAN Hiawatha Center

Self-Advocacy for our Youth

Self-advocacy in young people is extremely important. Mom & dad will not always be there to take care of certain things. Young people can start to advocate for themselves by simply calling to make an appointment with ICAN *wink*.

Start small, if there are certain things that need the attention of a parent or another person, then bring them in, but start to speak up. If you have trouble with homework, talk to the teacher. If you’re having issues with friends, talk to your school counselor or another trusted adult. If you need to take your car in for a tune-up, call to set up the appointment. These are small, simple things that young people can do to start to build up their confidence. When they move on to college or the work force, they will have the skills needed to ask for what they need and deserve.

The idea for this blog was found in a University of Wisconsin-Madison article. To read the entire article, click here.

 Lupe - ICAN Coralville and Davenport Centers

Utilizing Your Resources

The 2020-2021 school year is finally winding down! And what a year it has been. There have been a lot of changes over the last 14 months or so due to the pandemic and it has made for a difficult year. There have been a lot of changes at ICAN as well as we try to deliver resources to students and families and while keeping everyone safe.

Most of our presentations during this previous school year were held virtually using Zoom technology. While many families attended these presentations and received good information about preparing for life after high school, many families may have missed out.

I want to remind you that through this link: https://www.icansucceed.org/about-ican/services/presentations/ican-events-and-presentations, you will find a list of upcoming presentations that you can attend, and through this link: https://www.icansucceed.org/about-ican/services/presentations/virtualeventsandrecordings, you can find recordings of previous events that you can view whenever you like.

We have presentations on many topics including Making the Most of Summer Break, Exploring Careers: Finding the Right Fit for Your Future, Freshman Transitions: Prepare for High School just to name a few. You can also find many videos at our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ICANsucceed/

Take advantage of our resources now and throughout the summer. It is not too late!

 John - Northeast Iowa Advisor

Summer College Visits

Over the years, in normal years, advice to students and parents about college visits has typically been, “Make your college visits during the school year, not during the summer. You need to see what the college is like when campus is in full swing.” Although that still is the very best time to visit colleges, due to the lack of ability to get onto a college campus for a visit in the last year+, I would have to say that in my opinion, if you can get some college visits in this summer – GO FOR IT!

Typically, 2nd semester sophomore year and all of junior year are the best times to do those college visits. It’s so important to get on a campus to get a “feel” and see what the school has to offer. That “feel” is just a gut-feeling, which usually tells a student that they would feel comfortable, or they would not feel comfortable, on that campus. Sometimes it can be an overwhelming feeling; sometimes it might be just a slight feeling. I would never recommend a student choose a college without an in-person visit. But the last year has changed many aspects of our lives, including many aspects of college planning, and sometimes students have had to do a Plan B or even a Plan C for visiting and choosing a college.

If you can find some time to squeeze in some college visits this summer, do it. Ask for a campus tour and see the dorms. You might be able to sit in on a summer class, if there are in-person classes going on and protocol will allow it. Hopefully, you could still meet with a professor in a program of interest and/or a coach or activity sponsor, if there is some extra-curricular activity in which you would like to participate. You definitely can see the campus and get a “feel,” which again, is important, and I’d assume you could find out much information from the admissions office and someone in financial aid. So, contact the campuses in which you have an interest and make an appointment for a visit. Be sure to check out the town as well, as that can make a difference in your decision.

As you visit campuses over the summer, you can keep track of those that still interest you, and you can take the ones that didn’t seem to fit you off of your list. Then, hopefully, in the fall you will be able to make some 2nd visits to the ones in which you are truly interested. You can apply for admission and do your financial aid application (FAFSA) in the fall – including any or all of these schools. You aren’t committing to them by applying and having your FAFSA sent to them. Then, as the year goes on, hopefully it will be more and more clear where your new “home away from home” will be!

(Side note: I was a high school counselor when my three sons were visiting colleges, and we did make some summer visits (gasp!) because, frankly, the school year was so very, very busy that we couldn’t squeeze them all in. You know what? We learned a LOT from those summer visits, and it was definitely enough to give my sons an idea of whether they thought it was a possible fit or not, which then either led to another visit during the school year or taking the school off their list. I guess what I’m trying to tell you is that summer visits can be helpful, even if school-year, school-in-session visits are the most ideal!)

 Mary Joan - East Central Iowa ICAN Advisor

Types of College Degrees

This article intends to enlighten students and parents about the various types of college degrees.

Certificates and Diplomas – Many community colleges offer more short-term training for those students who do not want to spend much time in training. A certificate or diploma program may last 1-2 semesters and zeroes in on a very specific skill set.

Associate Degree – there are two types of associate degrees.

1) Associate of Arts or Science. This is commonly a transfer degree that enables a student to take the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree at a community college and then transfer to a four-year college or university.

2) Associate of Applied Science. This is a degree offered at community colleges and some private colleges. It usually involves career and technical programs which focus on a narrower skill set and finishes after about two years. The intent of this degree is to offer a two-year degree that enables a student to be job ready and will not require transferring to a four-year college. Many of these programs involve hands-on learning.

Bachelor’s Degree - This is well known as a “four-year degree”. The program of study consists of one to two years of general education courses in the areas of math, science, English, social science, humanities, foreign language, physical education. This is the “liberal arts” education of a bachelor program which helps a student to be well-rounded in all areas of academics as the student learns to be a critical thinker. In the final two to three years, a student specializes in their major area of selected academic study to be trained to work in a career in that field. It is called a bachelor’s degree in that by finishing the academic program the student is now able to “work on their own” having the skills necessary to work in their chosen field. Many colleges offer a “minor” program which in addition to the major, the student will have knowledge and skills in a connected field. For example, a student might major in business but minor in accounting. In finishing a bachelor’s degree, a student will commonly meet state or professional standards for professional licensing. Completing this degree completes a student’s undergraduate education.

Master’s Degree – This degree is part of graduate education in which the student has graduated with a bachelor’s degree, and the student seeks to enhance their knowledge and complete professional standards for higher positions. The master’s degree enables the student to understand and apply research. Written and oral exams may be required along with a graduate research paper.

Professional Degree – This is a degree that trains the student in specific professions such as, but not limited to, law, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc. Usually it will require a bachelor’s degree as an undergrad and then law school, medical school, pharmacy school, dental school, etc. Some colleges do offer combination programs such as 3 + 3 for undergrad and pharmacy or law school.

Doctorate Degree (PhD, EdD, ThD) – This graduate education trains the student to do original research to discover knowledge never known before. As an example, Dr. James Van Allen discovered the radiation belts surrounding the earth and this was knowledge not known before. After research methods classes, the student will finish with a written dissertation completing an original research project and passing oral and written exams.

If you have questions about a degree or career path, reach out to ICAN at (877) 272-4692 or visit www.icansucceed.org.

 Steve - ICAN Council Bluffs Center

What Have You Decided?

It's the first week of May and the end of another school year is so close we can almost taste it. But we're not there yet and it's important to stay focused, despite the beautiful weather, until the very last test is taken and the very last paper is handed in.

Seniors - this is especially important for you. You have to submit a final transcript to the college you've selected and so everything you do until the very last day will count. Don't fall behind or let your grades slip. 

• If you have been given an academic scholarship and your GPA slips, you could lose it. 
• If you fall below admission requirements in your final semester, your admission offer can be revoked. 

Yes, it's that important to stay focused and vigilant through the very last day of senior year.

Now that I've gotten the doom and gloom out of the way - let's talk about decisions for the future.

This is the time of year for seniors known as Decision Day or Decision Week - where seniors decide what their plans are for next year. 

It's important to note if a college has a decision day deadline - a day by which you have to let them know you plan to attend. You don't want to miss this deadline and lose out on any financial aid.

Making a decision about a college or university is the first step toward next Fall and your future education and training, and your future career. Once you've made a decision on where you are headed, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for orientation where you sign up for classes, learn about on-campus programs and housing, and sign up for a roommate.

You'll also find out about any additional deadlines and important things to note before getting to campus next Fall.

The final weeks of high school are full of things to do - make sure you have list that keeps you on track so you don't miss any of the things we've talked about. 

Be sure to also take time for the final fun things too - thank your favorite teachers, seek out your freshman year locker or old haunts and reflect on your high school days and accomplishments. Above all, just take it all in and enjoy these last few busy weeks of high school. While the best is yet to come, it's always good to stop and enjoy yourself in the moment too.

 Brittania - ICAN Hiawatha Center

Planning Ahead for Summer Break

Personally, I like to plan ahead. This personality trait sometimes back fires on me because the things I plan do not turn out how I want them to. But there’s one thing about planning ahead, you’ll be prepared. 

Let’s look ahead into the summer. You’re out of school, now what? Are you planning to work? This is the time when recreation departments in cities and towns are posting summer jobs at the pool or their parks. Are you planning to work at a coffee shop, grocery store or retail store? 

Right now is when you should start to look into job openings, the application and interview process. Do you want to volunteer? Again, look into what organizations in your community are looking for summer help. Are you going to summer camp or education camp or athletic camp or bible camp during the summer? What do you want to get out of it? 

If you’re not planning on working or volunteering, then let’s talk about next fall. Depending on your grade level in high school, what are some things you can do during the summer to prepare academically for your next level in education? Maybe have a summer reading list or study for the ACT/SAT or make a list of what colleges you’d like to visit. Academic year 2020-2021 will be over soon and summer will come soon after, let’s start planning now.

P.S. look into www.volunteermatch.com for volunteer opportunities near you.

 Lupe - ICAN Coralville and Davenport Centers

Will This Class Transfer?

When I was a high school counselor, the eternal question, “Will this class transfer?” was very common. It is an important question in these days of dual enrollment as high school students take college credit courses in high school and have it transfer to another college they intend to enroll. This is even more important if the course to transfer would satisfy an academic program requirement or a program prerequisite.

What does it mean to transfer a class from one college to another? It means that College A has a class that can transfer to College B which will essentially be the same content. For example if College A has a course entitled “Psychology 101”, this course will probably transfer to College B which has a course “Introduction to Psychology”. The two courses would need to be essentially the same content. If College A has a course entitled “American Economic History” but College B does not have a course related to that topic, the College A course would probably not transfer to College B. For College B to accept a course as credit, the transferring course needs to largely represent content to a course that College B already has.

Other components to be considered in course transfer are what is the number of credits for the transferring course? A three credit course at College A may not transfer as a three college course to College B if the College B target course is four credits. Also, some colleges may require that the student’s grade in the transferring course must be a C or higher or whatever the grade standard is. A college like Notre Dame may not accept an English composition course for transferring. Notre Dame may require that all writing credits be taught on the Notre Dame campus. Some colleges may limit the number of credits that they allow to be transferred in. Another consideration is whether the institution the credit is being transferred from is an accredited institution.

One unreasonable expectation that high school students and parents have of their high school counselor is that the school counselor will know with 100% certainty that a course will or will not transfer. Why is this unreasonable? The high school counselor is not the registrar of the college. The college registrar is a college official who makes the decisions on whether a course will transfer and be accepted as credit. There is no way a high school counselor can know off the top of their head with 100% certainty that a course will transfer. Nor is it fair for a student or parent to expect them to know that. A high school counselor will probably have a good idea, but they are not the college registrar and can’t give a ruling with 100% certainty.

The surest way to answer the transfer question is for the student to call or email the potential receiving college registrar’s office and ask. The receiving college may need the originating institution name and address, a course number, possibly a course syllabus, and course description, and the number of college credits the class is worth.

Another good resource is the Transfer in Iowa website, but that is a topic for another blog in the future.

 Steve - ICAN Southwest Iowa Advisor

Being Prepared to Pay for College

I have a birthday coming up this month! I’m not going to say how old I will be other than to say it ends in a “0”….I tell you this, not because I expect to receive any presents from anyone (feel free, though) but because I want to relate this to being prepared financially for major expenses.

The older I get, the more I consider retirement and what that looks like. While it is kind of exciting to think about, it is also kind of scary! Questions pop into my head:

Did I save enough? Where will I live? Can I afford to move an exotic location? Can I afford to travel? Did I save enough? How many cars can I afford? How much will health insurance cost? Will I have to work to make ends meet? Did I save enough? How much will retirement cost and how will I pay for it? I think you get the picture…

Ever since I started working as an adult, I knew in the back of my head that retirement would come at some point. The thought was always there. I really did not think seriously about it, though, until I was in my 30’s. At that point was when I started to put money away for my future expenses. I wish, like a lot of people I think, that I would have started saving money for retirement sooner…

I bring all of this up because I think a lot of parents are in the same boat when it comes to paying for college for their children. They know the expense might be coming but it is easy to put the thought in the back of their mind until the time actually arrives.

They complete a FAFSA for their high school senior to be considered for financial aid, receive financial aid offers from colleges telling them how much they need to come up with out of pocket for the first year of college, and wonder how they will pay for it?

They start to have some of the same questions that I have as I get closer to retirement:

Did I save enough (or any)? Where will my student live? Can we afford the college my son or daughter wants to attend? Did I save enough? Will the student have to work to make ends meet? How much will college cost and how will we for pay it?

I get a lot of calls this time of year from parents asking me some of these questions. Many of them are considering student and parent loans to help pay for college. It is important to remember that financial aid is not meant to pay for all of a student’s education, it is supposed to supplement what the family has in order to offset the cost of education.

To me, setting aside money for college (for either a student or parent) should be just as important as setting aside money for retirement. Just like retirement plans, there are many plans that can be used to save for college (529 plans, IRA’s, savings accounts). These plans can be used by parents, students, grandparents, relatives, etc. The earlier you start saving, the better. The money set aside in these plans may not pay for all of the out of pocket costs of college, but it can certainly help keep student and parent loan debt down.

Before considering borrowing for paying for college, I suggest considering the following for the student:

• Apply for more scholarships. Any scholarship money received is money that will not have to be borrowed in a student loan.
• Work during high school and the summer before college to save money.
• Live at home and attend a nearby college or university.
• Be a resident assistant at a dormitory to save money.
• Consider attending a less expensive (out of pocket) college.
• Know what your first year’s starting salary will be after college graduation and make sure you do not borrow more than that throughout your college career.

For parents, I suggest considering the following:

• Have discussions with your son or daughter about what the family can realistically afford and what the expectations are. For example, having the student pay their own living expenses.
• Help the student in locating scholarships and be supportive.
• Set money aside monthly for college expenses (the sooner the better).
• Do not tap into your retirement plans to pay for college.
• If you do decide to borrow, look into private loans as compared to the PLUS loan.

If you get financial aid offers from colleges and you would like some help in going over them and trying to figure out what your options are, the staff at ICAN is here to help! You can either call our toll free number, 877-272-4692, or schedule an appointment at www.icansucceed.org/apt.

Happy saving!!

John - ICAN Advisor - Northeast Iowa

Next Steps As You Begin Receiving Scholarships

As a high school senior, you are definitely entering or in the home stretch of your final year of high school. Hopefully, you are continuing to apply for scholarships and finishing strong in your classes and your activities. Since we are into Spring now, you probably have or soon will be finding out which private scholarships you have been awarded. As those scholarship notifications come through and those awards presentations occur, something you and your parents might not think about it making sure you keep track of every scholarship you have been awarded. Why, you ask? Because it is truly your responsibility to make sure that you do receive the money you have been awarded. Make sure to create a list of the names of the scholarships – who is awarding it (donor, organization, etc) – amount of the award – whether it will be awarded 1st Semester or 2nd Semester or be split between semesters – and if there is any information you have to submit to the donor/organization to make sure you receive the money.

It IS important to keep track, because you do want to know make sure the money does come through for you, especially because chances are that the scholarship will go directly to the college in your name. The donor/organization may need to have an update on where you are going to college, once you’ve decided. Some scholarships may ask for “proof of registration” of classes before they will send the scholarship. I’ve seen private scholarships that were partially awarded on financial need, which then asked for proof that the student still owed money to the college after the other “gift aid” was given. Some scholarships might not be awarded until 2nd semester, and even then, they may want proof that you successfully completed your 1st semester and are enrolled for the 2nd. So, keep a list of every private scholarship you are awarded, and make sure you follow through on any instructions that you need to follow to ensure you receive the money next school year.

What should you do if next year you don’t ever see the scholarship come through at the college? Politely and respectfully contact the donor or organization. If you don’t know for sure who that is, your school counselor or the counseling administrative assistant or whoever gave you the information for the scholarship may be able to tell you who the contact is. If you did forget to give them some information, let them know you will get it submitted as soon as possible, and then do that!

Lastly – as you receive these private scholarships, keep an attitude of gratitude! Individuals, families, and organizations do not have to award money for students to help them attend college, but they do because the think it is important, and they want to assist young people in their post-secondary pursuits. Be sure to write a Thank You to the scholarship donor and even the selection committee if you know who to send that to. Also – remember to send a Thank You to all of those good people who wrote recommendation letters for you for the applications. Again – they do it because they want to help, but it’s important that they know that you appreciated their efforts.

Best wishes to all of you! I hope the scholarship awards have already begun to roll in and continue to arrive in a steady stream!

 Mary Joan - East Central Iowa Advisor

The Importance of Summer Jobs

Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner. For many students, that means some fun in the sun or perhaps looking for a part-time summer job! Although I believe students should really cherish their summer days (Afterall, many of you will never get those days back!) I do believe there is value that goes along with summer work.

To begin, I am a full believer in BALANCE. I think it is especially important to make sure you are balancing work with fun. After all, life is too short not to enjoy it! If you can afford working a few days a week and still give yourself a few days off this would be ideal. The world of work can help students in so many ways.

Such as:

• Confidence Building
• Time Management Skills- This is a crucial skill for the workforce and in college!
• Organization Skills- These skills are so important to have!
• Helps students understand what they like and dislike. Both are equally as important!
• Communication Skills
• The Ability to work in a team and with others who might be different from you
• Problem Solving Skills

Learning the above skills early on in life will help students be more prepared for the workforce and college. Colleges and employers are looking for students that have these qualities as they make them more successful. The world of work can really help students with these skillsets. Please remember, it is important to include summer jobs on your activity resume as well. Do not forget to balance work with a little fun. Balance is key in all of life! The earlier you learn this particularly important lesson, the better off you will be! 😊

If you have not started an Activity Resume yet, we have a template you can download from our website by going to: www.icansucceed.org/activitiesresume.

Enjoy your summer break!

 Meghan - ICAN Hiawatha Center

Virtual FAFSA Seems Normal Now - Help is Here No Matter Where You Are

One of the main services that we provide at ICAN is helping clients to complete the FAFSA, which is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.gov. The FAFSA is the online application for federal grants, federal student loans, and federal work study. The FAFSA is also required for many types of state financial aid, and many higher education institutions also require that students complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for institutional financial aid, including institutional scholarships and grants.

Before March of 2020, I had never considered what it would be like to help clients to navigate their FAFSAs virtually. Now it seems very normal. I have noticed several positives since we started offering online FAFSA completion appointments.

First, virtual FAFSA appointments save clients travel time. Some clients can save over two hours of travel time by utilizing virtual appointments. It also appears that having the opportunity to complete the FAFSA from the comfort of home seems to make many clients feel at ease. Our virtual appointments have been a great option for clients to save time and work on their FAFSA from the familiar environment of home. In addition, if for some reason the client isn’t able to complete their FAFSA, the client can pause their FAFSA and log back in at a different time, and/or we can simply reschedule another virtual appointment for the client. The function that allows a student to pause the FAFSA and log back in later is the “Save Key,” and the “Save Key” is created after the student initially logs in to begin the FAFSA.

Second, although our virtual appointments are not in person, they have still remained personalized and conversational. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the conversations and interactions have gone during our Zoom appointments. Working remotely has made me learn each page of the FAFSA in great detail because I have to be able to help clients navigate the FAFSA step-by-step. Because Zoom gives me the opportunity to help my clients to navigate their FAFSAs in realtime, it's almost as if we're in the same room. The online appointments also allow enough time for clients to ask other questions about the financial aid process. Even though our appointments are virtual, we can still assist our clients in a professional way that meets their needs.

Third, because virtual appointments allow clients to actively engage in navigating the FAFSA, clients are building confidence and familiarity with the FAFSA form during their virtual appointments. I have noticed how quickly that clients are learning to navigate the form after receiving some guidance and coaching.

Finally, I have been very inspired by the initiative that high school students have demonstrated in helping their parents during virtual appointments. I have experienced several examples of students helping their parents to navigate the internet and learn new technology, and I have also been impressed with how students have taken the initiative to learn more about the financial aid process during their appointments. In conclusion, I have experienced many examples of positive interactions with clients during our virtual appointments, which is a service that we just started offering in March of 2020.

 Troy - ICAN Central Iowa Advisor

Money Management for Students

April is Financial Literacy Month. This month was first recognized in 2004 in an effort to highlight the importance of financial literacy and teach citizens how to establish and maintain healthy financial habits.

This is a perfect time for young people to become familiar with basic (and not so basic) concepts of financial well-being. Your high school or college probably has something planned for financial literacy month. Whether it’s a month long event or a webinar/seminar on financial health, you should consider participating. Find out about credit scores, interest rates, investing, personal loans, college loans, car loans, co-signers, the stock market, etc. If you have a bank account already see if your banking institution is doing anything for financial literacy month, again, plan to take part.

ICAN is also bringing focus to financial literacy in April with the following free events:

Financial Literacy 101: Money and Credit Management for Students
April 14 at 5 pm

Financial success is found through a solid foundation in money management and an understanding of the credit system. In this session we’ll provide an overview of budgeting, savings, and credit scores – explained in a way that makes sense to students.

Click here to register.

Money Management for Students - Panel Discussion
April 28 at 5 pm

As part of financial literacy month, our special guest panelists will provide advice and tips for students on money management and programs available for students through banks and credit unions.

Click here to register

All of the knowledge that you acquire will be beneficial when managing your money in the future.

 Lupe - ICAN Coralville and Davenport Centers

Virtual College Fairs Announced for Spring 2021

On Sunday March 28th, we held our ICR Career & College Fair virtually with 80 colleges and universities attending and almost 500 students registered. While our fair is over,  you can check out the resources from each exhibitor by visiting www.icansucceed.org/icrfuture.  If you couldn't attend this college fair, there are two more virtual colleges fairs coming up in April that have just been announced.

Iowa ACAC is putting on two Virtual College Fairs on Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 22 from 1:30-3:00pm. Students and parents are welcome!

If you go to the website, you’ll see that one fair is labeled Eastern Iowa High Schools and one is labeled Western Iowa High School, but it does not matter which one a student attends. IACAC just worked with schools on each side of the state to try and accommodate the best times, but they are happy to talk to any student/parent during either fair!

The website to register is: https://iacac.memberclicks.net/student-spring21-registration#/

College Fairs are a great way to gather information from many colleges/universities. A great way to start your college search! For tips on preparing for college fairs you can visit www.icansucceed.org/collegefairs.

 Erick - ICAN Ankeny Center

End of the Year Tasks for High School Seniors

The end of the school year is coming quickly. There are several tasks that high school seniors heading to college for next fall will need to get completed.

1. Consider scheduling a Financial Aid Award Review with an ICAN advisor. We can take the financial aid award package from your college(s) and break it down for you. We can also generate alternatives for you to consider on how to pay for your college costs for next year. Go to icansucceed.org/apt or call 877-272-4692 and schedule a FAFSA/Award Letter Review. We will need to see the financial aid award from your college. We can do this through Zoom or in-person at ICAN offices in Hiawatha or Davenport.

2. Schedule an orientation session with your college. This will either be done as a virtual orientation or in-person depending on the college policy. The orientation will provide you good information to be ready for next fall as well as scheduling your fall semester classes.

3. If you are staying on campus, you will need to make sure your housing contract is completed and that you have indicated the preferences you have for housing.

4. Make sure your school counselor knows what college to send your final transcript once you have completed courses for the spring semester. The final transcript completes your admission and is a required step by the college. Colleges will only honor high school transcripts that come directly from the high school counselor.

5. Any private scholarships that you are awarded, be sure you have completed any paperwork for the scholarship and especially what college the scholarship money needs to be sent. Failure to do that means the scholarship money will not be in your college account to help you pay expenses. This is very important!

6. For any scholarships that you are awarded, please write a thank you note to the person, family, or organization that sponsored the scholarship. This is just common courtesy and expresses your gratitude for the financial support.

7. If you will be using the Stafford Loan that is awarded to you from the FAFSA, you will need to complete three tasks in June or July. You will need to go to studentaid.gov and log in with your FSA ID. You will need to complete entrance counseling and the master promissory note which is the loan agreement. Also, you will need to go the student portal of your college and log in. Go to the financial aid section of the portal and designate how much of the student loan you want to use for the first semester. These are all required steps to be able to use the Stafford Student Loan.

8. If you will need additional loan money from a private lender, you and your parents will need to investigate options for private student loan money you. Be sure to research all options of private student loans which will likely require parent co-signatures on the loan. Go to www.iowastudentloan.org for more information.

9. If your parents are going to use a payment plan with the college, that needs to be set up through the financial aid office or the cashier’s office of the college.

10. How about getting a summer job and saving the money for college?

There is a lot to do! But it is much better to get this done now, and in the summer, rather than encountering a lot of hassles next fall. Best wishes to you as you head off to one of the great adventures of your life!

 Steve - ICAN Southwest Iowa Advisor

TRIO - A Unique Approach to Serving Students

When I was working in college admissions, I became aware of several Iowa high school TRIO programs. I was very impressed with the variety of ways the TRIO programs helped their students to connect with colleges and universities. It was great to see TRIO students participate in different post-secondary exploration activities, including college fairs and college visit days. 

Working with high school TRIO programs inspired me to want to learn more about TRIO - Student Support Services (SSS), which is a college-level, federally funded program designed to serve college students who are first-generation, low-income, or have a verified disability. TRIO-SSS is all about student success! 

Student Support Services (SSS) strives to increase college retention and graduation rates by providing students with a variety of services, including academic tutoring, assistance with course selection, study skills development, information regarding scholarship opportunities, and assistance with the financial aid process. Other services may include personal, academic, and career counseling, and activities that offer access to educational, social, and cultural events. 

Since I have been with ICAN, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous college students who have had positive experiences with TRIO-SSS. It’s definitely a program that should be on the radar of college-bound students, parents, and school counselors. 

To find out if a college or university offers TRIO - Student Support Services (SSS), contact the institution directly and/ or research their website. You can also research TRIO-SSS programs in Iowa by searching the Iowa TRIO Program Directory. Select the TRIO-SSS program you are interested in to find out more information about program contacts and eligibility requirements. 

TRIO - Student Support Services (SSS) helps students succeed in college! 

 Troy - ICAN Central Iowa Advisor

Attention Iowa Students Interested in Construction Careers

Participate in the Build My Future Construction Career Day & Industry Showcase

The HBA of Greater Des Moines will be hosting the annual Build My Future showcase on April 14th, 2021 at the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA. This is event is scheduled to be held in person.

Build My Future gives students the opportunity to have a day to work in the construction industry through an interactive showcase. The student activities will include educational displays, equipment operations and learning labs. Participants will be able to explore multiple career paths available in Iowa. Seniors are you seeking career opportunities? Get a chance to talk one-on-one with employers and organizations looking to hire. Talk to your industrial arts instructor about registering.

For more information click the link below.

Des Moines, Iowa
April 14, 2021 | https://iowaskilledtrades.com/
Event Contact: Dan Knoup | DanK@dsmhba.com| 515-270-8500

If you have additional questions about careers in the building trades, check out this video or visit www.icansucceed.org/careertraining. 

Jessica - ICAN Ankeny Center

High School Students Should Attend the Virtual College Fair This Sunday

The ICR Future Virtual Career & College Fair is this Sunday, March 28 from 1-3 pm, and provides the perfect opportunity for students to explore options for life after high school. This is a virtual fair meaning students from across Iowa can access colleges and universities from across the country, as well as career and planning resources, all in one place online from the comfort of home.

No matter what you think you want to do after high school - get a job, train for a career, go to a community college or get a four-year degree, or take part in military training - this fair will provide every student the opportunity to explore every option.

How to Participate

The fair is THIS SUNDAY, March 28 from 1- 3 pm online. To gain access to the virtual fair, students must register. A link to the platform will be emailed. If you register the day of the fair, you will be immediately redirected to the online fair upon submission of your registration form.

During the fair students can participate in the ICR Future Scavenger Hunt - which will help students explore exhibitors they may not have thought to visit. Students who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a drawing for VISA gift cards.

To learn more about the fair, see a list of registered exhibitors, or to register to attend visit www.icansucceed.org/icrfuture.

Ways to Prepare

TONIGHT, Wednesday, March 24 at 5 pm ICAN will host a webinar on Exploring Colleges which will cover topics like navigating campus visits, college fairs, and virtual tours. The ICR Fair will be touched on. To learn more and register for this free event click here. 

There are so many ways to explore your future this weekend - we hope to see you this weekend.

Brittania - ICAN Hiawatha Center

Ways to Boost Your Happiness

We’re very close to the end of winter (yes the first day of spring was Saturday but March in Iowa is full of unknowns when it comes to winter weather) and most of us are more than ready for spring and eventually summer. We’re tired of the cold, we’re tired of COVID-19, and we’re tired of school/work. We’re just tired. Better days are coming, we’ve come this far, we’ve made it through so much, for now, let’s keep taking care of ourselves so we can continue. 

Here are six ways to boost your happiness, brought to you by ©HerCampus (Instagram: hercampus).

• Embrace positive emotions
• Celebrate wins
• Do what you love
• Find meaning
• Build healthy relationships
• Care for your body

 Lupe - ICAN Coralville and Davenport Centers