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Freshmen
- This is the perfect time to learn about financial aid. Financial aid is 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 you borrow to help pay for tuition and expenses, and it must be repaid. Work-study allows you to earn money by working part time at a campus-approved job. Read more tips.
Sophomores
- Start early on your New Year's resolutions. Look at your study habits. What's working for you? What isn't? Make a study schedule and stick to it. Read more tips.
Juniors
- Look over your list of prospective colleges. Schedule campus visits to the top three to five colleges on your list. View a checklist (PDF) of things to ask about and look for on your visits. Read more tips.
Seniors
- You'll want to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)* as soon after Jan. 1 as possible. Watch the financial aid 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 financial aid deadlines at Iowa colleges. Read more tips.
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.
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College Goal Sunday is coming to a location near you! Get free assistance with your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in one of five Iowa cities. See a list of dates and locations. |
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Watch What You Post
More colleges are looking at applicants' social networking sites before accepting them as students at their schools. Read more. |
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*Note: The FAFSA and EZ FAFSA are free forms that may be completed without professional assistance via paper or electronic forms provided by the U.S. Department of Education. |
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Mollie, a freshman at an Iowa community college, answers student questions about what the first year of college is really like. Mollie participates in track and field and is studying nursing.
impact: What are some of the top reasons you picked the college you are attending?
Mollie: I liked their track and field program and nursing program, and it's close enough to home.
impact: Do you believe that you made the right choice on choosing your current college since there are so many colleges to choose from?
Mollie: No; I think I'm going to transfer out next spring. The college just doesn't seem like a good fit to me; I think there is another college out there that would be better. High school students need to take time to go to these colleges and compare them. They should get information about colleges they are considering and lay out the pros and cons of the different schools.
Read the rest of our chat with Mollie. |
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Do you wonder what makes a winning scholarship application?
Next month, an organization that awards scholarships will answer student questions.
Submit Your Questions |
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