The College & Career Planning Hub is designed for students, parents, educators, and ICAN partners. Explore a wide range of tools and resources including downloadable ICAN materials, planning calculators, scholarships, videos, and webinars. You can also sign up for ICAN newsletters and access a glossary of key college terms to help you navigate the path ahead with confidence.
Stay up to date with ICAN’s upcoming events, including webinars, presentations, and key college and career planning opportunities for students and families.
Explore on-demand videos covering important college and career planning topics, including full-length webinars and short, easy-to-follow segments.
Join ICAN’s live webinars designed for students and parents, offering timely information and guidance on college planning, financial aid, and career exploration.
The ICAN Mobile App helps students and families manage career, college, and financial ais planning in one place.
Sign up to receive tips, reminders, and important updates to help you stay on track with college and career planning.
Browse downloadable guides, worksheets, and resources designed to support every step of the college and career planning process.
Understand common college and financial aid terms with this easy-to-use glossary designed for students and families.
Studies show that parental involvement in their student's career and college planning significantly increases positive student outcomes. Preparing your student for life after high school can be overwhelming. This email service will empower you to help your student by 1) giving you timely information; 2) prompting conversations with your student, and; 3) helping you and your student plan for education and training after high school.
The Iowa Department of Workforce Development, a partner with DMACC in the operation of Iowa Employment Solutions, has created a list of the top 50 high demand occupations in Iowa. DMACC has programs, instruction and degrees to help you find employment in nearly all of these career areas.
These occupational employment and wage estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in Iowa.
Explore trade careers by education and training levels.
Estimate your monthly income and expenses to better understand how to manage your money and plan ahead.
Build a realistic budget based on your current lifestyle and spending habits while in school.
Estimate your monthly student loan payments and total repayment costs based on different loan amounts and interest rates.
See how long it will take to pay off credit card debt and how interest impacts your total repayment.
Get an estimate of your Student Aid Index (SAI) to better understand your potential eligibility for financial aid.
Estimate the true cost of attending a college after financial aid, helping you compare options and plan financially.
Create a personalized plan to borrow responsibly, understand repayment, and make informed decisions about student loans.
This resource supports school counselors in guiding students through life after high school. Developed by ICAN® and the Iowa School Counselors Association (ISCA), it provides practical tools and ideas for academic planning, career exploration, college preparation, admissions, and financial aid.
Inside, you’ll find an overview of the postsecondary planning process along with resources you can use with students, families, and colleagues. ICAN also offers additional support through Student Success Advisors, professional development opportunities, classroom and virtual services, and multilingual resources for families.
Federal Trade Commission
Jump$tart
Iowa Jump$tart
Money Smart Week
Practical Money Skills for Life (Available here in Spanish)
Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
Office of Latino Affairs
Deaf Services Commission of Iowa
Division of Community Action Agencies (Iowa)
Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning (Iowa)
Division of Native American Affairs (Iowa)
Division of Persons with Disabilities (Iowa)
Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans
Iowa Commission on the Status of Women
Iowa Department of Education
IRS Higher Education Tax Benefits - American Opportunity Tax Credit
IRS FAQs
Latino College Access Network (Latinos CAN)
U.S. Department of Education
Teachers and mentors in ICR are eager to create innovative educational opportunities for their students. Residents of all ages have access to programs that benefit students from kindergarten all the way through post-secondary school.
Whether you’re looking to supplement your education with enriching after-school activities and programs, or you’re looking for year-round alternatives to the traditional learning experience, ICR is full of resources and opportunities to make it happen.
EDGE (Education Drives our Greater Economy) is an initiative of Capital Crossroads: A Vision for Greater Des Moines and Central Iowa focused on improving education from early childhood learning through life-long learning. Under the leadership of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Business Education Alliance, EDGE is supported by private and public entities with an eye to the future and a goal of helping Central Iowa businesses secure the educated, skilled workers they need —now and long into the future.
