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ICAN College Planning Center in West Des Moines

The offices of ICAN realized that their regular office hours are not convenient for all families during this busy time of year. Because of this Iowa College Access Network (College Planning Center) has appointments available on Saturdays. The services offered by the CPC are always FREE.

FAFSA4caster, an early eligibility estimator, is now available at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/. Paper FAFSA's or no longer available to schools in bulk; instead, students may request up to three copies from 1-800-4-Fed-AID or www.edpubs.org. Alternatively, you may download a PDF of the FAFSA at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov.

Important - Important

Most colleges/universities will not extend any type of financial aid unless the student and parents have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), this includes grants, scholarships, loans, work study, etc. Even if you do not qualify for the PELL grant, filling out the form is quite a necessary step in the financial aid process. Remember that the FAFSA must be filed each year of college. -more-

Also young men of 18 years and older must be registered with Selective Service in order to qualify for Federally provided monies, which even includes college loans.

November 13th, 2007
7:00 p.m. in the Missionary Room

This year the meetings will be conducted by the College Planning Center.
Please make every effort to attend.

Topics: Financial Aid Basics, Completing FAFSA, Grant-Scholarship-Loan Information, Graduation Requirements, and Senior Year Expectations.

Parents of Seniors and Juniors are strongly urged to attend. Other parents are encouraged to attend as well. There is a lot to learn; do not wait until the last semester of high school to begin understanding the financial aid process.

The Golden Circle College Fair is Sunday, October 1st, 2007, at the Polk County Convention Complex (501 Grand Ave) in downtown Des Moines from 12:30-3:30 p.m. This is the largest college fair in Iowa. Approximately 150 colleges will be represented from all over the country.

Many college fairs incorporate a Financial Aid meeting. For more details about other college fairs in the Des Moines area click here.

Free money which is usually awarded based upon financial need. May have to attend an in-state college. See the latest list of grant information received at GPBS.

Free money which is usually awarded based at least partially upon academics such as GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT scores. Often incorporates school activities and community service. May also take into account such items as work experience, leadership activities, recommendations, and personal essay.

See the latest list of scholarship information received at GPBS. You should check with the particular colleges you are looking to attend. Also inquire of local civic organizations, parents' employers, along with FREE online searches to locate additional opportunities.

The College Planning Center has several links to such free scholarship searches.

Interest charged for money which may be immediate or deferred.

See the details of the different types of loans available.

Save the 3% orgination fee as an Iowa graduate by applying for any student loan through Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation (parent company of College Planning Center). Also obtain a discount on the interest rate!

Online FAFSA: www.pin.ed.gov

• Apply for your personal identification number
(PIN).
• Allows student and parents to electronically sign the FAFSA. Parents and student will both need a PIN.
• Allows you to get your results to the FAFSA more quickly.
• Parents who have multiple children applying for federal aid only need one PIN.
• The sites below can also be accessed using your PIN.

• View your Student Aid Report (SAR) after your FAFSA has been processed.
• Make corrections to your processed FAFSA.
• Print a copy of your SAR information.
• Reapply for financial aid in the future.

• Electronically complete and sign your loan promissory notes.

• Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
• Get general information about your Direct Loan, including your account balance and payment history.
• Change your repayment plan and payment due date.
• Request a deferment or forbearance.
• Make your loan payment online
• Complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling.

• Get information about consolidating your federal student loans.

• View information about federal loans and grants you have received.