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10/6/25: ICAN Update - FAFSA Awareness Week
ICAN Senior Alert - FAFSA Awareness Week is Here
This week is FAFSA Awareness Week in Iowa - the official kick-off to the financial aid season.
The FAFSA form for Fall 2026 officially opened on October 1, which means you can now begin applying for financial aid.
Why is the FAFSA Important?
Filing the FAFSA is the first step toward accessing grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and loans to help fund your education. Plus, many colleges require it for financial aid consideration, regardless of your income level.
The FAFSA can be overwhelming for first time filers and seasoned completers alike, which is why ICAN and Iowa College Aid are here to help. Here are some events and resources that can help you in the planning process.
Don’t Wait – File Early!
Some financial aid is first-come, first-served. Filing your FAFSA early can increase your chances of receiving aid.
Have questions? We’re here to help! Contact us at 977-272-4692 or visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to schedule a free FAFSA completion session.
You can also join us for one of our virtual walk throughs of the FAFSA in which you join and fill out the FAFSA while being led through the form by an ICAN professional. Additional FAFSA assistance will be available through the chat feature to answer specific questions and provide assistance.
October 8, 2025 - 5:30 pm - Register
November 12, 2025 - 5:30 pm - Register
December 10, 2025 - 5:30 pm - Register
January 21, 2026 - 5:30 pm - Register
February 25, 2026 - 5:30 pm - Register
For additional resources to help you file the FAFSA, or a list of events where you can get assistance, click here.
Take the first step toward your future this FAFSA Awareness Week. Let ICAN help make the process easy and stress-free.
10/3/25: ICAN Update - College Application Time
ICAN Senior Alert: College Application Time
ICAN Senior Alert: College Application Time
October is College Application Month and that means you should be focusing on and finishing up those college admission applications.
We recommend you try and have your college applications submitted by November 1. It's also important to remember that a college will NOT consider you for financial aid if you have not applied for admission.
Submitting your application doesn't mean you have decided where you are going. It means you are taking the next step to learn more about your options at each school. You have plenty of time to make your college decision, but getting your applications in early ensures you don't miss scholarship, housing, and other important deadlines. It also gives you more time to focus on searching and completing scholarship applications.
Want to learn more about the admission process? ICAN is hosting a webinar next Wednesday, October 15 all about the application process.
How to Apply to College
How to Apply to College: A Review of the Application Process
Wednesday, October 15 - 5:30 pm |
Register https://us06web.zoom.us/.../WN_fXuaFhSGRpuxRDBPAURDVg...
Applying to college doesn’t have to be stressful. This webinar will walk you through each step of the process—from applications and essays to recommendations and deadlines. You’ll also get tips for staying organized and making your application stand out, so you can apply with confidence and find the college that’s the best fit for you.
The ICAN Team
9/25/25: ICAN Update - The Role of the ACT and SAT Tests
Hey there seniors!
Today we are talking about the role of the ACT and the SAT test in your plans for college. The test scores are used for many things, not just admission. Today we're going to go through each way the ACT or SAT test score is utilized and things you should consider as you move forward through senior year.
Test Optional Admission
Many colleges are now test optional for admission, meaning you can be considered for admission without submitting a test score. So what does this really mean?
Most colleges have an admission formula that looks at GPA, test scores, and the number of core courses you take in high school. If you apply test optional, you simply put more emphasis on your other submitted information.
Many colleges would still prefer that you submit a test score, but if you choose an individual review process be sure to ask colleges how they will evaluate your application when there is no test score and if there are things you could miss out on by not having the score in your file.
Course Placement, Wait Lists and Specific Program Requirements
What could you miss out on by not submitting a score?
Test scores are not just used for admission. Test scores help colleges place you in the right level of math, communication, or literacy courses. Without a test score it can be more difficult to place you in the correct level and you could end up taking the wrong course or being put in a remedial level first to ensure you are ready for college-level academics.
In addition to course placement, while general admission criteria may be test optional, some specific programs or majors may require or prefer a test score. You may not be able to get into a program right away if you do not have a test score. If there is a wait list, some programs may favor students that submitted a test score over those who don't have that extra bit of information in their file. You may be waitlisted longer without a test score.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
ACT and SAT test scores are also often a requirement for merit-based scholarships. If a scholarship or grant requires a certain test score and you do not submit a test score, you cannot qualify for the scholarship, even if you meet all other academic requirements. Having a test score on file ensures that you receive any merit-based aid you qualify for.
Taking the Test Twice (or more)
Many of you may have taken the ACT your junior year and that's great! But have you considered taking it twice? Not every time, but many times, students do better the second time they take the test with an average increase of two points.
The ACT is on a scale of 0-36. Big academic scholarships tend to start around a 28 and increase the closer you get to 36. When it comes to the ACT, a single point increase can make a big difference in academic awards.
And if you are interested in a college that superscores, taking the test again could really help you. If you score higher in certain subjects but not in others, some colleges will take the highest subject test scores from each test and create a superscore from all the tests you've taken. Talk to admissions to understand how this process works at each school that interests you. Not every college superscores but some do and it could benefit you.
If you are thinking you may want to take the test again you want to do it yet this Fall. Most colleges will accept scores through December, but it's always best to ask.
Upcoming ACT test dates include
October 18 - register by September 30
December 13 - register by November 7
To register visit my.act.org
Upcoming SAT test dates include
November 8 - register by October 24
December 6 - register by November 21
To register visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/dates-deadlines
Final Thoughts
Every college is different. It's important to talk to the schools you are considering to see the impacts of having or not having a test score. If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to the admissions office, or call ICAN and we can talk you through your options as well.
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