Financial Aid Planning
Step 1: Apply for scholarships (ongoing)
- Inquire with the financial aid offices at the colleges/universities you are applying to.
- Check out Xello for Scholarship Matches (requires student login)
- Join the Senior Recognition Google classroom. This will be where you can apply to be considered for scholarships and awards selected by Kennedy staff and recognized at the Senior Recognition Event in April.
- Search for scholarships by using various search engines/websites.
Step 2: File the FAFSA
The FSA ID is the first step in preparing to file the FAFSA. Each student and parent must have an FSA ID. Visit this website to learn about the FSA ID and how to get one.
Students and families can begin filing the FAFSA after October 1, 2025. By filing the FAFSA, students may be determined eligible for state or federal aid. Check out the Iowa Department of Education for more information.
Need help filing the FAFSA? Contact ICAN today! ICAN has helped families complete tens of thousands of FAFSA’s through the years. They truly are experts and can assist you with completing this very important task. Some colleges/universities doe have FAFSA priority dates, so filing sooner than later is encouraged. ICAN is available to assist families with the FAFSA process by appointment. Contact them by phone at 877-272-4692 or schedule an appointment online.
Additional FAFSA resources
Ready to File the FAFSA? Here’s What You’ll Need
ICAN Financial Aid Guide
Step 3: Compare financial aid award letters
- Compare cost of attendance at the various colleges/universities
- Compare merit based awards
- Compare state/federal awards
Covering College Costs: Understanding and Comparing Financial Aid Packages
Step 4: Decide what’s best for you
ICAN prepares students for future success. Contact ICAN if you need help with any financial aid questions at 877-272-4692, FAFSA@ICANsucceed.org, or schedule an appointment online.
Scholarships
Where can I find more scholarship information?
- Inquire with the financial aid offices at the colleges/universities you are applying to.
- Check out Xello for Scholarship Matches (requires student login)
- Search for scholarships by using various search engines/websites.
| Iowa Dept of Education | Appily | Big Future |
| ICAN | Niche | ScholarsApp |
| Scholarships.com | Going Merry | College Raptor |
| Raise.Me | Unigo | Finaid |
| Fastweb | Last Dollar Scholar | SallieMae |