Academics

ACT Cancelled in April

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Dear students,

If you were registered to take the ACT at Assumption on Saturday, April 4, at Assumption, you should have already received a notification from ACT concerning the plan to reschedule your test date to the June or July test dates. There will not be testing this summer at Assumption due to several factors which include lack of air conditioning and inappropriate seating arrangements available in the few rooms that we could use.

Please check your ACT account actstudent.org to see if you received communications if you are uncertain.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation at this stressful time.

Iowa College Access Network

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Even though our physical offices are not currently open, we are still meeting with students and families virtually to continue our services and mission of helping families throughout the state of Iowa. Families can schedule Zoom virtual appointments here www.icansucceed.org/apt or they call our toll free number 877-272-4692. We’re available Mon – Thurs 8 am – 4:30 pm.

Below is a link to all virtual resources we have available. This includes virtual presentations we have coming up along with pre-recorded presentations. We will also be having daily Facebook Live posts starting at 2:00 PM!

https://www.icansucceed.org/about-ican/services/presentations/livestream-events

ICAN Presentations Available to Live Stream

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ICAN will be hosting FREE webinars on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1pm. You can stream these events LIVE from any device and ask questions of ICAN student success advisors during the presentations.

Use this time at home to connect with planning resources and create your future plan. Register and you will receive a link to join these free events. You can also chat live with an ICAN advisor Monday through Thursday at 2 pm on Facebook.

Life After High School: A Guide to Career and College Planning
Perfect for sophomores, juniors, and parents

Wednesday, April 15 at 1 pm – Register

Tuesday, April 28 at 1 pm – Register

There are many post-high school options available to students through education and training programs. This program engages students and parents in a discussion of recent employment trends and industry growth outlook to provide insights into the developing a post-high school plan for both college and career.

This program covers:

Career Exploration & Assessment
Economic Trends & Goal Setting
Academic Preparation & Requirements
Admission Process & Requirements
College/Training Program Selection
Campus Visits
Application Process
Understanding Costs – Cost of Attendance
Scholarships/Job Training Programs
Successful Transitions

How to Pay for College: Understanding the Financial Aid Process
Perfect for juniors and parentsWednesday, April 29 at 1 pm – Register

The financial aid process can be daunting. From completing the application to understanding award letters, developing a plan to pay for college is one of the most important steps in the college process. This program covers:

Financial Aid Process
FAFSA Application Review
Understanding the Results of the Application
Understanding Costs – College Comparisons
Aid Options
Scholarship Process
Where to Go For Help

Covering College Costs: Understanding and Comparing College Financial Aid
Perfect for seniors and parentsTuesday, April 14 at 1 pm – Register

Completing the FAFSA is an important step for students in the college-going process, but what happens after you hit submit? What are the next steps? In this webinar we will explain the pieces of a financial aid package, how packages are put together, and how to compare one package to another. We will also discuss financial aid comparison tools and the importance of creating a college budget..

The Scholarship Process: A Guide for Seniors
Perfect for juniors, seniors and parentsThursday, April 9 at 1 pm – Register

Scholarships are an important part of the financial aid process and can make a big difference for students when it comes to picking the school they attend. Join us for a discussion of the scholarship process – everything from where to look for scholarships, standard application expectations, how to write essays, and how to improve your applications. We’ll share examples and resources, and walk you through the scholarship timeline from start to finish.

Earn While Your Learn: Exploring Careers in Building Trades
Perfect for 9th-12th grade students and parentsTuesday, April 7 – Register

Education and training beyond high school is essential for many students. A four year degree is not. There are many career opportunities after high school that do not require a four-year degree. In today’s webinar we will explore the different career opportunities that exist through registered apprenticeship programs and talk about how today’s students can begin their journey towards a professional career without seeking a degree or taking on student loans.

Exploring Careers: Finding the Right Fit for Your Future
Perfect for 8th-11th grade students and parentsTuesday, April 21 – Register

Career planning is the first step towards finding your future. In this webinar we will discuss how students, beginning as early as middle school, can work to identify their interests and passions and utilize high school experiences to explore potential career opportunities. We’ll also discuss the role career planning should play in selecting post-high school education or training opportunities, including college selection and affordability.

Freshman Transitions: Prepare for High School
Perfect for current 8th grade students and parentsWednesday, April 8 at 1 pm – Register
Wednesday, April 22 at 1 pm – Register

Transitioning from middle school to high school is a big step for families, and the first step for students in creating future opportunities. Freshman year begins the journey of post-high school success. The courses, activities, and decisions made in this first year matter regardless of your plans for after high school.

Freshman Transitions is designed as an orientation or welcome to high school and covers important topics including:

Career Assessment and Exploration
Course Selection based on Career & College Outlook
Options: Apprenticeship, Military, Training, and Types of College Degrees
Financing Education: Cost of Education & Training Projections and Savings Options
Money Management Basics
A Parent’s Role

Evening Sessions

How to Pay for College: Understanding the Financial Aid Process
Perfect for juniors and parents

Monday, April 13 at 5:30 pm – Register

The financial aid process can be daunting. From completing the application to understanding award letters, developing a plan to pay for college is one of the most important steps in the college process. This program covers:

Financial Aid Process
FAFSA Application Review
Understanding the Results of the Application
Understanding Costs – College Comparisons
Aid Options
Scholarship Process
Where to Go For Help

Freshman Transitions: Prepare for High School
Perfect for current 8th grade students and parents

Thursday, May 7 at 6 pm – Register

Transitioning from middle school to high school is a big step for families, and the first step for students in creating future opportunities. Freshman year begins the journey of post-high school success. The courses, activities, and decisions made in this first year matter regardless of your plans for after high school.

Freshman Transitions is designed as an orientation or welcome to high school and covers important topics including:

Career Assessment and Exploration
Course Selection based on Career & College Outlook
Options: Apprenticeship, Military, Training, and Types of College Degrees
Financing Education: Cost of Education & Training Projections and Savings Options
Money Management Basics
A Parent’s Role

Make the Most of Summer Break
Perfect for 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and parents

Tuesday, May 12 at 5:30 pm – Register

In this webinar we are going to be discussing a wide-variety of helpful tips and ideas students can use to keep them on track for their future! Summer is the perfect time to start working towards future goals for both career and college. We will discuss how to build an activities resume and preparing for the scholarship process, taking part in volunteer opportunities, internships, along with several other helpful tips to ensure the summer months are far from boring!

The ICAN Team

 

UPDATE: ZAPS – ACT Prep Seminar

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Due to school closing, this seminar has now been restructured as a live online class. Contact us at 877-927-8378 or email mary@doorwaytocollege.com to find out how to join us.

ZAPPING the ACT seminar includes:

  • Five hours of focused strategy instruction by a highly trained instructor
  • 24 practice tests for the ACT and ZAPPING the ACT Study Guide
  • Specific strategies for each type of question on the ACT
  • General test-taking methods for lifelong success
  • Test-specific time-management techniques
  • Explanations for each question and answer on the practice tests
  • Unique system for analyzing errors to identify strengths and weaknesses
  • Instruction for writing a high-scoring Essay
  • Much more!

Click here to register

Iowa Youth Congress (IYC) & The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC)

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Iowa Youth Congress is a youth program consisting of up to 100 students, modeled after the Iowa House of Representatives. Youth between the ages of 14 and 18 are eligible. Originally established in 2006, IYC is a year-long program which begins each July. The program provides students the knowledge, abilities, and direction to advocate and enact change in their communities, and at the state-level. IYC brings students together from across the state to discuss issues that affect today’s youth. In addition, IYC members draft positions on youth issues, participate in an annual Mock Congress event, communicate their positions to legislators, and engage in service activities. For additional information about IYC please contact Claire Yocom (Claire.Yocom@iowa.gov) or visit the following website: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/iowa-youth-congress

The State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council accepts a maximum of 21 youth who serve two-year terms beginning in July. Youth between the ages of 14 and 21 are eligible. Originally established in 2001, SIYAC was formalized in Iowa Code in 2009 as an avenue for youth to inform state leaders and local communities on issues important to young people. Members meet quarterly to identify issues affecting youth, discuss community needs, form partnerships to meet those needs, draft positions on youth issues, communicate those positions to legislators, and plan and conduct service activities. In addition, SIYAC members participate in Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development (ICYD) Council meetings. The ICYD Council oversees the activities of SIYAC and seeks input from these youth leaders in the development of more effective state-wide policies, practices, and programs. SIYAC members also carry out two service projects, one in their respective communities and one statewide. For additional information about SIYAC please contact Reeva Neighbors (Reeva.Neighbors@iowa.gov) or visit the following website: https://humanrights.iowa.gov/cas/siyac

Iowa Youth Brochure

Application

 

ICR Future Career and College Fair – Postponed

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As we continue to monitor the development of COVID-19 we have determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to postpone the ICR Future Career & College Fair currently scheduled for Sunday, March 29.

We are currently working with our partners to ensure this important planning event for students and parents still takes place. Please stay tuned for additional details about the rescheduled event in coming days.

New Event Details

Sunday, May 31, 2020
12:30-3 pm
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Cedar Rapids, IA

Please plan to attend the ICR Future Career and College Fair in Cedar Rapids on May 31. The ICR Future Career and College Fair is unlike any other in Eastern Iowa, bridging the gap between career exploration and college/training selection, to help students make informed decisions that align career interests with education and training selection.

Students of every age have something to gain at ICR Future. From learning about different career fields from Iowa employers, to speaking with more than 100 colleges, universities, apprenticeship representatives, and career experts, there’s something for everyone. There are even breakout sessions on employer expectations, career training, college planning, Iowa’s job outlook and more

In addition to an expansive selection of colleges and universities, ICR Future will also feature the 6 Career Clusters represented by Iowa businesses, breakout sessions on career and college planning topics, as well as a section of exhibitors that specialize in ‘Earn As You Learn’ apprenticeship programs, and college and career planning and preparation.

Visit www.ICANsucceed.org/icrfuture for all the event details and updates of exhibitors and breakout sessions.

Service Hours Opportunity – Census

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Assistance is needed in placing door hangers on apartments promoting the census.  The hanging period is designated for Friday, March 20-Monday, March 23.  There is no age requirements, but having some adult participation/supervision can be helpful.  Those placing hangers on doors are not interacting with anyone, they will just place the hanger and move on.

Please contact Ben Jobgen if you are interested in helping or have any questions.

Ben Jobgen – 563-888-2066