College Entrance Exams
ACT
The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the ACT and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.
SAT
The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.
The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc. The purpose of the ACT test is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important ACT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the ACT and/or SAT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.
SAT
The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school. Overall, the higher you score on the SAT and/or ACT, the more options for attending and paying for college will be available to you.
Paying for College
Know the Difference
What is a loan?
A loan is money that you borrow with the expectation that you will pay it back, within a deadline laid out by your lender.
Students can borrow money through federal student loans, which are issued by the government, or private student loans, which are issued by non-government entitles like banks and credit unions. To qualify for a private student loan, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to pay the loan back, usually with a cosigner.
A loan is money that you borrow with the expectation that you will pay it back, within a deadline laid out by your lender.
Students can borrow money through federal student loans, which are issued by the government, or private student loans, which are issued by non-government entitles like banks and credit unions. To qualify for a private student loan, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to pay the loan back, usually with a cosigner.
What is a grant?
Grants are gift aid awarded to students often based on financial need. They typically come from the state government, federal government, non-profit organizations, and schools.
Grants are gift aid awarded to students often based on financial need. They typically come from the state government, federal government, non-profit organizations, and schools.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a money-based award specifically designated for education-related expenses. Qualification for scholarships depends on the individual scholarship program and awards can be based on merit, talent, or academic performance. Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school This type of free money, which is sometimes based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses.
A scholarship is a money-based award specifically designated for education-related expenses. Qualification for scholarships depends on the individual scholarship program and awards can be based on merit, talent, or academic performance. Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school This type of free money, which is sometimes based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses.
Federal Aid
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education.
To learn more about the types of federal student aid click here to watch a short video.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA is the form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education.
To learn more about the types of federal student aid click here to watch a short video.
Scholarships
Below are area colleges and universities and links to their scholarship opportunities.
Indian Hills Community College
IHCC Foundation Scholarships are awarded by the Indian Hills Community College Foundation to eligible students based upon their academic qualifications and other demonstrated qualities and needs. Several hundred scholarships are awarded each year, ranging from $600 to full tuition for a single year.
William Penn University
Central College
Not only is Central committed to a rigorous education, we also are committed to affordability and value. We recognize top students for academic achievement and talent with hundreds of prestigious scholarships that include full tuition.
IHCC Foundation Scholarships are awarded by the Indian Hills Community College Foundation to eligible students based upon their academic qualifications and other demonstrated qualities and needs. Several hundred scholarships are awarded each year, ranging from $600 to full tuition for a single year.
William Penn University
Central College
Not only is Central committed to a rigorous education, we also are committed to affordability and value. We recognize top students for academic achievement and talent with hundreds of prestigious scholarships that include full tuition.
Iowa College Aid
Iowa College Aid provides college access, career planning, financial literacy, default prevention and outreach services that prepare students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
Iowa College Aid provides college access, career planning, financial literacy, default prevention and outreach services that prepare students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
Vocational Trade Schools
A trade school (also known as a technical school) is a postsecondary educational institution designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career. Most importantly, a trade school offers hands-on training to prepare students for actual work in their chosen field. Trade school programs are entirely concentrated on relevant job training. A trade school offers highly focused training programs specifically designed to prepare students for a job in the skilled trades. Trade schools focus on developing students’ technical abilities in skilled and mechanical trades. Mechanical trades work generally involves building, maintaining, operating, or fixing some sort of mechanical system.
Top 10 Vocational Trade Schools in Iowa
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA
Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
Eastern Iowa Community College Davenport, IA
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA
Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA
Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville, IA
Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa, IA
Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IA
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny, IA
Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs, IA
Eastern Iowa Community College Davenport, IA
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar, IA
Iowa Central Community College Fort Dodge, IA
Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville, IA
Hawkeye Community College Waterloo, IA
