Your Planning Timeline
Through the expertise of the ICAN staff, and the feedback from school counseling and higher education professionals, ICAN has developed the Career & College Access Steps to Success, a comprehensive career and college access timeline of services that targets students from middle school through high school and into college. Each step of the plan builds upon the previous steps to ensure that each grade level engages in discussions and activities that keep them thinking about and preparing for the future.
Presentations/Seminars
ICAN provides free virtual and in-person seminars on every aspect of career and college planning.
ICAN Advising Sessions
- Specific topics can be covered in a one-on-one advising session with an ICAN Student Success Advisor. Click here to learn about our advising session topics.
- Visit icansucceed.org/apt to schedule an appointment. All advising sessions are free and available both virtually and at all of our locations.
Recommended Timeline of Services
It's never too early to start planning for the future. The earlier planning begins, the more opportunities students have to explore their interests, take part in job shadows, earn additional credit, and save for their future. While any student can start anytime, we recommend beginning the planning process in middle school. Below we've outlined discussions and topics by grade level. Advising sessions can be tailored toward age and progress level, so any student can start with any topic at any time. If you have questions we encourage you to reach out to the ICAN team at 877-272-4692.
Middle School (6th-8th grade)
Presentations/Seminars
- Financial Literacy Series: Life Store
- Welcome to High School: Freshman Transitions (8th grade)
ICAN Advising Sessions
9th grade
Presentations/Seminars
- Welcome to High School: Freshman Transitions (beginning of 9th grade)
- Financial Literacy Series: Life Store
ICAN Advising Sessions
10th grade
Presentations/Seminars
- Explore Your Future: Career & College Planning
- Financial Literacy Series: Life Store
ICAN Advising Sessions
11th grade
Presentations/Seminars
- Explore Your Future: Career & College Planning
- How to Pay for College: Understanding the Financial Aid Process (end of junior year)
- Financial Literacy Series: Life Store
ICAN Advising Sessions
- Career Exploration
- Career Assessment
- College Exploration
- Paying for College
- College Visits
- College Selection & Applications
- Scholarship Process
- Alternative Funding Options for College
12th grade
Presentations/Seminars
- How to Pay for College: Understanding the Financial Aid Process (August/September of senior year)
- FAFSA Completion Event (ICAN Center or FAFSA Ready Iowa)
- Life After High School (end of senior year)
- Financial Literacy Series: Life Store
- Financial Literacy Series: Credit & Money Management
ICAN Advising Sessions
- Career Exploration
- Career Assessment
- College Exploration
- Paying for College
- College Visits
- College Selection & Applications
- Scholarship Process
- CSS Profile
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion
- Award Letter Review/FAFSA Review
- Understanding Student Loan Options
- Alternative Funding Options for College
College Students/Returning Adults
Presentations/Seminars
- FAFSA Completion Event (ICAN Center or FAFSA Ready Iowa)
ICAN Advising Sessions
- Career Exploration
- Career Assessment
- Paying for College
- College Visits (transfer students)
- Scholarship Process
- CSS Profile (transfer students)
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Completion
- Award Letter Review/FAFSA Review
- Understanding Student Loan Options
- Alternative Funding Options for College
