Future/College Planning
New ICAN Mobile App – Now Available
Scholarship Program for All Iowa High School Grades Open Now
The ISL Education Lending Scholarship is an opportunity for all high school students, not just seniors, to learn about planning and paying for college. In addition, their parents or guardians and current college students may enter. Winners receive deposits into ISave 529 (formerly College Savings Iowa) accounts so they can choose when and how to use the awards.
About the Opportunity
Ninth- to 12th-grade students who are residents of Iowa are eligible for this scholarship program from ISL Education Lending.
Qualification and registration is easy. Your students simply:
- Visit www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Enter to register by April 3, 2026.
- Provide basic contact information for themselves and their parents or guardians.
After registering, students may continue to read three quick college planning and financing tips and answer a multiple choice question for each.
For the remainder of the scholarship period, registered students receive emailed information on college planning and financing.
Forty-five winners will be drawn from eligible high school, college and parent entries in December. Each winner will receive a $1,000 deposit into an ISave 529 account.
Additional Chances to Win
Each student may enter themselves only once per program period, but a parent or guardian, or another adult who holds an ISave 529 account naming the student as a beneficiary, can enter on their student’s behalf once per program period.
Those who registered last year and remain eligible are encouraged to participate again.
Iowa Hero Academy – Application is OPEN!
ICAN Senior Alert: The FAFSA
| FAFSA Applications If you haven’t filed your FAFSA, the following is a recording of the step-by-step process. You should get your FAFSA submitted as soon as possible, but it’s very important if you are considering the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, or Loras College. Each of these colleges have a FAFSA priority date in December. |
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| These dates mean if you get your FAFSA submitted to these colleges by that date, you receive the maximum amount of financial aid you qualify for. If you file the FAFSA after a school’s priority date, financial aid may be limited, and you may not get as much.
Check out our recording on the process and get your FAFSA filed today. |
Free After School Program in Film and Media for Youth in the Quad Cities
FreshFilms, is a non-profit organization offering a free after-school program for teens and young adults interested in filmmaking, media, and tech.
Our program provides hands-on experience in film, TV, entertainment, and social media where students can work on professional projects, gain industry knowledge, and develop valuable skills. In the summer, students are offered a paid-internship on a feature film set as well!
We run one of our programs out of the YWCA in Rock Island (513 17th St, Rock Island, IL 61201) and it’s open to all youth aged 14 – 18 in the Quad Cities.
Schedule Your FAFSA Appointment
ICAN is now taking FAFSA appointments for the 2026-27 academic year. If you are a high school senior or current college student, schedule today!
Schedule now.
ICAN Webinars and Recordings
ICAN’s webinar series has concluded for this school year.
You can view all of the webinar recordings by reviewing the topics below.
Quest Bridge – College Prep Scholars Program
The Quest Bridge College Prep Scholars Program is designed to give high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds the tools needed to apply to top colleges. From full scholarships to college summer programs to a supportive community of your peers and other specialized resources, College Prep Scholars get a (free!) head start on the college application process.
Click here for more information