FAFSA Preparedness Week
ICAN is partnering with the Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Iowa College Aid in declaring the week of October 7-11, 2024 as FAFSA Preparedness Week. This week will focus on providing information to the Class of 2025 to prepare for the FAFSA opening on December 1, 2024.
Setup Your StudentAid.gov Account
To complete the FAFSA the student and at least one parent need to have a StudentAid.gov Account. The StuentAid.gov Account creates a username and password needed to login to Federal Student Aid website, and is required to complete forms such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must setup your accounts and have them verified by the Social Security Administration at least 3-5 days before you file the FAFSA. Setting up your accounts now will save your time and ensure you are ready for the FAFSA on December 1.
- Learn about the process - www.icansucceed.org/studentaidaccount
- Take part in our live webinar on Wed., Oct. 9 at 5:30 pm to review the account setup process - Register
- Watch a past recording of the setup process.
Priority Dates for FAFSA Completion
The FAFSA does not have a single deadline. Rather individual schools have priority dates by which you should file the FAFSA to receive the maximum amount of financial aid. To determine your FAFSA deadline, look up the priority dates of each of the colleges to which you are applying. The earliest date is your FAFSA deadline. To see all the priority dates of Iowa colleges and universities, click here.
FAFSA Completion Assistance - One-on-One
ICAN provides free assistance with completing the FAFSA form through either in-person or virtual advising sessions. You CANNOT file the FAFSA until December 1. ICAN will begin scheduling FAFSA appointments on November 1 for December. Mark your calendars now and schedule right away come November 1 to be sure you get an appointment with an ICAN advisor. Our team members will help you step-by-step with all your questions and ensure your form is submitted and you know your next steps.
Visit www.icansucceed.org/apt to schedule a free session.
FAFSA Assistance On Demand
View our FAFSA Step-by-Step recording and follow along at your own pace. This video goes through each question and you can complete you FAFSA while watching, pausing when you need to, and completing the form on your schedule. And, if you get stuck, ICAN is a phone call or email away. Just save your application and connect with us.
Watch the FAFSA Step by Step video
Additional Tools and Resources
- A list of documents needed to complete the FAFSA - PDF
- How to setup your StudentAid.gov Account username and password - this is needed at least 3-5 days PRIOR to completing the FAFSA form
- Download and use the StudentAid.gov Account Setup Cheat Sheet to write down your username and password, as well as your back up code and challenge questions.
- Overview of the financial aid process - VIDEO
- Covering College Costs - Learn the steps you need to take AFTER filing the FAFSA form - VIDEO
- Overview of the State of Iowa's financial aid application - VIDEO and Application
- Why File the FAFSA? - PDF
- Apply for Scholarship - visit the ICAN scholarship database
