College Planning

When it comes to exploring colleges, there are so many to choose from. To make the college experience worthwhile, the school you choose needs to be able to give you what you want - besides a degree. Think about what you need, and then choose a college that fits your needs. Some things to consider include location, the type of college, academic programs, campus life, cost and financial aid availability, facilities, living accommodations, and campus safety. Check out the Iowa College Access Network's Exploring Colleges webpage.

For additional guidance on exploring colleges, check out the Iowa College Access Network's Exploring Colleges webinar.

Applying for college is the first step to getting an education that you can turn into a career. By November of your senior year, you should have a list of your top 2-5 schools that you want to attend. It is important to apply to all of these schools to better your chances of admission. If you plan to attend college in the fall, it's a good idea to send all applications in no later than March. Ideally, you should submit your college applications by Thanksgiving Break of your senior year. It is important to know what your career path or program of study/major will be before applying for college, and it is beneficial to take the ACT (if necessary) before you submit your applications so you can include your score for admissions.

Each college has its own review process, but your application will generally be evaluated based on your test scores, class rank, high school transcript, extracurricular activities, work and volunteer experiences, honors and awards, and an essay. This is different depending on the college, and community colleges typically have less criteria when admitting students to the college.

Your college's application will be on the college's website. You may also apply for colleges through the Common Application, which is a standard form accepted by nearly 700 colleges across the country. Many schools that accept the Common Application also have supplemental forms you must complete, too. Check out the Iowa College Access Network's Applying for College webpage for more information.

For additional guidance on college applications, check out the Iowa College Access Network's How to Apply for College webinar.

A college education is one of the largest financial investments you'll make for your future. While college is expensive, there are options when it comes to paying for college and managing your financial commitment. For more information on the financial aid process, types of financial aid, and how to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, check out the Iowa College Access Network's Financial Aid webpage.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

One of the first steps to the financial aid process is to complete the FAFSA. The purpose of the FAFSA is to provide a general snapshot of your family's financial situation. It is required to receive federal student loans, state grants and scholarships, and may be required by your college to receive aid (scholarships). Based on your family's financial situation, the FAFSA will generate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Colleges use the EFC to determine eligibility and types of financial aid a student may receive if they attend that college.

To complete the FAFSA, go to www.studentaid.gov. The FAFSA application for the 2022-2023 school year opens on October 1, 2021.

What forms/information do I need to complete the FAFSA?

In order to complete the FAFSA, students will need their: social security number, driver's license number, date of birth, 2020 Federal and State tax returns, W-2 forms and/or other records of income earned in 2020, current bank statements and investment records, 2020 business and/or farm records, alien registration number if not a US citizen, and a Federal Student Aid identification (FSA ID) username and password.

In order to complete the FAFSA, parents will need their: social security number(s), date of birth, 2020 Federal and State tax returns, W-2 forms and/or other records of income earned in 2020, current bank statements and investment records received in 2020 (veterans benefits, child support received, etc.), 2020 business and/or farm records, alien registration number if not a US citizen, and a Federal Student Aid identification (FSA ID) username and password.

Need help filing the FAFSA or creating an FSA ID?

The FAFSA and FSA ID process can be tricky. Below are resources that can help:

• ICAN's How to Pay for College: Understanding the Financial Aid Process webinar

• ICAN's How to Create an FSA ID webinar

• ICAN's FAFSA Step-by-Step webinar

• Schedule an appointment with an ICAN Advisor! ICAN will meet with you and your parents/guardians for free. To schedule a free virtual appointment via Zoom, check out ICAN's Schedulicity page to find a time that works best for your schedule.

How can I save money on college expenses?

While college is expensive, there are ways to cut the cost of college, including:

• Take college classes in high school - they're free!

• Apply for as many scholarships as possible - it's free money!

• If you're pursuing a 4+ year degree, consider going to a community college first - tuition at community colleges is cheaper than universities.

• Consider going to a public college rather than private - public college tuition is cheaper than private college tuition.

• Consider going to a college in Iowa - in-state tuition is cheaper than out-of-state tuition.

• If you can afford paying rent during college, consider off-campus housing - it is cheaper than Room & Board.

• Only borrow what you need from your financial aid award rather than accepting the entire package, which is likely more than your tuition.

Scholarships are free money! Organizations, companies, government agencies and even individuals create scholarships and grants that award students money if they fulfill (or promise to fulfill) a certain requirement. That requirement might be to study in a certain field, join a professional group or write a winning essay about how an organization affects your life. It also might be as simple as being a member of a certain group or having your name drawn from many entries.

Because the amounts and types of scholarships and grants vary, you might be eligible for several of each. Unless you earn an award that pays for all your college costs, you may receive more than one as well, so you want to apply for as many as you can. For more information on scholarships and grants, check out ICAN'S Scholarships and Grants webpage.

For information regarding local scholarships around the Sioux Central Community School District as well as some local Iowa scholarships, check out Sioux Central's Local, State and National Scholarships Catalog. Payment of some local scholarships may require the Scholarship Request Form to be completed and returned to the Business Office with proof of enrollment.

For information regarding state and national scholarships, check out free online scholarship directories to see which scholarships you qualify for. The following websites that provide a free scholarship directory where students can search and apply for a wide variety of scholarships: Iowa College Access Network (ICAN); Iowa College Aid; RaiseMe; I Have a Plan Iowa; CollegeBoard; FastWeb; Scholarships.com; GoingMerry; MyScholly; Niche; StudentScholarshipSearch.com; StudentScholarships.org; FinAid.org.

State and national scholarships are open at any given time throughout the year. Check the free scholarship directories listed above regularly so you don't miss out on scholarship opportunities. Local scholarships typically become available in January and most deadlines are in mid-April. By graduation, you should know which scholarships you have received and will need to report that information to the college you plan to attend in the Fall.

Not sure how to apply for scholarships and grants? No problem. Check out ICAN'S Applying for Scholarships and Grants webpage for more information on how to properly apply for scholarships and grants to better your chances of being awarded.

Most colleges, both community colleges and universities, require some kind of placement test during either the admissions process or before enrolling in certain courses. Types of placement tests include the ACT, ALEKS, Accuplacer, and more. These tests examine your knowledge in content areas such as math, science, reading and writing.

The American College Testing (ACT) exam is a placement test that colleges use during the admissions process. If you are planning on attending a 4-year college immediately after high school, you will need to take the ACT. During the college admissions process, colleges will calculate your Regent Admission Index, or RAI, score. Your RAI score is a combination of your ACT composite score, cumulative GPA, and number of years of approved high school courses completed in core subject areas. For more information regarding the RAI score, click here.

ACT test dates for the 2021-2022 school year are: September 11, October 23, December 11, February 12, April 2, June 11, and July 16. For more information regarding registering for the ACT exam, click here.

If you plan to attend a community college after high school, you may not need to take the ACT, as community colleges do not require it. Community colleges may require you to take a different placement test to place students in appropriate courses, such as the ALEKS or Accuplacer test. Taking the ACT is still a good idea, however, as it can help you be eligible for more scholarships. In addition, if you plan to attend a 4-year university after community college and do not maintain a high enough GPA, the 4-year university will ask for your ACT score upon admission.