ICAN Awarded County Grants for College Access Initiatives
Community Foundations Show Support for Iowa Students
HIAWATHA, IOWA (May 26, 2014) — The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) is pleased to announce it has received grants from the community foundations of Butler County, Chickasaw County, Delaware County, Franklin County, Kossuth County, Pottawattamie County, Tama County and Van Buren County to support college and career readiness programming.
These county-wide initiatives will bring career and college planning, as well as financial aid information and resources, into local communities to inform high school students and parents of the steps required to achieve educational success. With services provided through ICAN, the county initiatives will serve more than 62,500 individuals including: students, parents, and educators.
“ICAN programs are unique in the respect that they are brought into individual communities and provide face-to-face presentations and one-on-one advice to students in the communities in which they reside,” explained Rob Miller, ICAN executive director. “This grant enables that interaction to happen without requiring families to travel for professional advice. For some families, traveling for assistance isn’t possible and the community foundation grant allows ICAN to continue serving these families where they live. ICAN is very appreciative of the support it receives from community foundations.”
In an effort to empower students with the understanding that higher education is accessible to everyone, the county initiatives are part of a wider effort by ICAN to reach every middle- and high school and every student in Iowa to better prepare students for college and the workforce. According to Complete College America, more than 60 percent of Iowa jobs will require a college education by 2020.
“Education and training beyond high school is necessity for long-term success in the ever-changing job market,” explained Miller. “These grants enable ICAN to continue meeting the needs of Iowa students.”
ICAN, a nonprofit organization providing career and college readiness planning to students and parents in Iowa, has been educating and empowering Iowa’s future workforce since 1998.
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About ICAN
The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has locations in Ankeny, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Hiawatha, Orange City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org