Professional Development Training Series

At ICAN, we are committed to providing school counselors, college access professionals, and educators across Iowa with high-quality, face-to-face and virtual professional development opportunities. Our training programs are designed to ensure that Iowa youth are prepared for life after high school. With a range of certifications and specialized training sessions, ICAN offers the resources you need to stay at the forefront of career and college readiness.

Why Choose ICAN Professional Development?

Certification Programs: Our training programs offer certification in essential areas of career and college readiness, ensuring you gain valuable credentials.
Interactive Learning: Each training session is designed to be hands-on and interactive, providing real-life scenarios to better prepare you for assisting students.
Experienced Trainers: ICAN’s trainers are experts in the field of college access, financial aid, and career readiness, bringing real-world experience and valuable insights.

How to Register

Trainings dates are continually updated. Visit the individual training pages to learn more about session dates, registration details, and pricing. Whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned counselor, ICAN's Professional Development offerings have something for you.

Training Opportunities

Explore our variety of professional development training programs, each focusing on an essential component of career and college readiness:

DCAP Training Series
FAFSA Completion Professional Certification
FAFSA Deep-Dive Series
Career Advising
College Advising
Financial Aid
Parent Engagement
MTSS Series

🗂️ DCAP Training Series

Learn how to design and implement an effective District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP) that aligns with state requirements and enhances student outcomes. Coming 2025-26

📄✅ FAFSA Completion Professional Certification

Designed for counselors, mentors, and community partners, the FAFSA Completion Professional Certification Program equips professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the financial aid process, including hands-on training and case studies. This annual certification series ensures that professionals are prepared to assist students with FAFSA completion and financial aid support. Learn More

💰 FAFSA Deep Dive Series

Gain advanced training on supporting students through the FAFSA process, including unique scenarios involving non-citizens, undocumented students, and complex family situations. Coming 2025-26

FAFSA Deep Dive: Supporting Non-Citizen & Undocumented Individuals. This training is focused on equipping school counselors, higher education, and college access professionals with the knowledge and strategies necessary to assist non-citizen and undocumented students with the FAFSA process and alternative financial aid options.

🧭 Career Advising

Build your skills in career exploration, planning, and advising to help students develop meaningful pathways aligned with their interests and goals. Coming 2025-26

🎓 College Advising

Explore best practices in guiding students through the college search, application, and decision-making process, including how to build strong postsecondary plans. Coming 2025-26

🧩 Financial Aid Basics: Navigating the Process

This foundational training is ideal for school counselors and novice admissions and financial aid professionals. The program breaks down the financial aid process, starting from the basics and offering easy-to-understand terminology, concepts, and real-life examples. Learn More

👪 Parent Engagement

Strengthen strategies for involving parents in the career and college planning process and fostering supportive home-school partnerships. Coming 2025-26

🏗️ MTSS Series

Discover how to apply a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to career and college readiness initiatives across grade levels. Coming 2025-26

Contact Us

For more information or questions about our Professional Development Trainings, feel free to reach out to the ICAN team. We're here to support your career growth and help you provide the best guidance to students. Contact us via email or schedule an information session via Zoom to discuss your training needs.