The Iowa College Access Network
The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) has served the educational community and the students of Iowa since 1998. ICAN’s mission is to empower Iowans to achieve their educational and career goals through statewide comprehensive outreach, initiatives and partnerships with schools, groups and businesses. ICAN helps more than 300,000 students, parents and education professionals prepare for college each year.- ICAN’s team of Student Success Advisors works directly with Iowa students and their families. Bilingual support is available.
- Visit one of the eight ICAN locations, drop by one of the ICAN career and college access programs in an individual community or school, or contact ICAN by email or phone.
- All ICAN programs and services are offered without charge.
- View ICAN’s tip of the week and other helpful videos.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
Iowa College Student Aid Commission (ICSAC) serves Iowa students and families by providing essential resources and services to make higher education possible. Created in 1963 by the Iowa General Assembly, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) is a state agency dedicated to making the path to education and training beyond high school easier for Iowans. Iowa College Aid provides college access, career planning, financial literacy, default prevention and outreach services that prepare students to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.- Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans.
- View ICSAC’s State of Iowa grant and scholarship awards.
Avoid Student Loan Scams
Be educated. Know your loan servicer and/or lender. Once you borrow your first federal student loan, you will be assigned a loan servicer. Your loan servicer should reach out to you via email or postal mail, not by phone. You can find out who your loan servicer is at the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
Protect your personal information. Make sure you keep your passwords, account numbers and sensitive paperwork in secure locations. Don’t leave personal information where it might tempt someone to take it.
Look out for phishing. Never give out your personal information like social security number or date of birth to someone who randomly reaches out to you via email or phone. Unless you can be absolutely sure of who is on the other end receiving this information, it’s best to protect it. In regards to your student loans, when in doubt call your loan servicer/lender directly.
If it feels too good to be true, it just might be. If you randomly receive an email or call stating that you can have your loans discharged or the balance reduced and it feels too good to be true, follow your gut instinct. Call your loan servicer/lender directly and discuss your options. Unless you have met certain loan forgiveness requirements, loans are not discharged or reduced.
More information on avoiding student loan scams can be found through the Federal Student Aid website.