06 January

Freshmen

    • Happy New Year! Now's the perfect time to learn about financial aid. It's made up of four types of assistance: grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Grants and scholarships are free sources of money that don't have to be paid back. A loan is money given to you to help pay for expenses (i.e., semester/year o f college) and it must be repaid. Work-study allows you to earn money by working part time at a campus-approved job.

    • Even though you don't need to apply for financial aid until you're a senior, you can take steps now to learn about the process.

    • What are your interests? Are you creative? Do you like to help people? You can tie your interests to a future career at www.ihaveaplaniowa.gov.

Sophomores

    • Happy New Year! Get off to a great start by looking at your study habits. What's working for you? What isn't? Make a study schedule and stick to it.

    • Organization is the key to success. Visit www.ihaveplaniowa.gov to track extracurricular, volunteer and work experience, the courses you've taken and contacts that may make good references.

    • What's financial aid? It's made up of four types of assistance: grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Grants and scholarships are free sources of money that don't have to be paid back. A loan is money given to you to help pay for college-related expenses and it must be repaid. Work study allows you to earn money by working part time at a campus-approved job.

    • Even though you don't need to apply for financial aid until you're a senior, you can begin to learn about the process.

Juniors

    • Happy New Year! Start it off right by scheduling campus visits to the top three to give colleges on your list.

    • Get involved. Colleges see it well-rounded students who not only get good grades, but who are also involved on school activities or community organizations.

    • Organize scholarship information according to deadline. Keep your planner or organizer updated with application deadlines so you won't miss any.

    • Prepare to take the ACT or SAT tests. Take practice tests online or visit your guidance office, local library or bookstore for good study guides.

    • Although financial aid is available from different sources, you and your parents are expected to pay part of the cost of your education. Have you been saving for this important investment?

Seniors

    • Happy New Year! Start if off right by filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon after January 1 as possible. Watch the FAFSA priority filing deadlines at the colleges of your choice. The deadline is the date the FAFSA needs to be received at the processing center, not the postmark date. See a list of FAFSA deadlines at Iowa colleges.

    • Complete your tax returns as soon as possible. If you have to for college deadlines, you may use estimated tax information on the FAFSA Remember to make copies of your completed FAFSA and tax returns.

    • Have your high school send your first semester transcripts to the colleges where you've applied.

Parents

    • College is a worthwhile investment, but it can be an expensive one. Talk to your student about the costs involved. Keep in mind that being involved now in the financial aid process will help prepare your child to better manage money later in life.

    • Help your students fill out their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), but make sure they are playing a role in the process.