Financial Aid Planning
Step 1: Apply for scholarships
- Check out Xello for Scholarship Matches (requires student login)
- Join the Senior Recognition Google classroom (CODE: 4eotvynl). 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.
- Inquire with Financial Aid offices at the colleges/universities you are applying to. Most have scholarship applications available to students as soon as you’re accepted to the college and have access to the student portal.
- Search for scholarships by using various search engines/websites (see below).
Step 2: File the FAFSA
The StudentAid.gov account is the first step in preparing to file the FAFSA. Each student and parent must have an active account. Visit this website to learn about the StudentAid.gov account 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?
- Check out Xello for Scholarship Matches (requires student login)
- Look into scholarship opportunities at the colleges/universities you are applying to.
- Search for scholarships by using various search engines/websites.
Scholarship Helpers
Each year, millions of private scholarships are awarded, with a total value of more than $7.5 billion. Below are tips and tools to help you with the process of researching and applying for scholarships.
Scholarship Organizer
Don’t lose track of time or scholarships you are interested in – Download your scholarship organizer by clicking on the button below. Click the “make a copy” button then use the form as is or customize it to fit your needs. The first line has been filled out as an example.
Letter of Recommendation Request Form
To make the process of receiving a letter of recommendation more efficient, make a copy of the Google doc below, complete the form, and share it with your teacher, counselor, or other recommender. (It is a good idea to share it electronically and to print it out.) Letters of recommendation take time – allow a minimum of ten days to complete your request.
Safety Tips
Remember, a legitimate (worth your time) scholarship will:
- Require an essay or at least short-answer responses
- Require additional support such as transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and recommendation letters
- Have minimum GPA requirements, although there are exceptions
- Are awarded once or twice per year
Scam (one to avoid) scholarships may:
- Charge a fee
- Use the term ‘sweepstakes’, ‘drawing’, or random selection’, often weekly or monthly. (They want your personal information. You will be bombarded with emails!)
- Have zero requirements aside from entering your basic information
- Ask for personal or financial data such as your Social Security number, driver’s license number, banking information, or credit card number