Financial aid season for college students is back.
As of Oct. 1, students can enroll for federal student aid requests, also known as “FAFSA”.
But one question is frequently overlooked: Is college right for everyone?
“It was the most up-to-date important information that I can actually receive," said Olivia Starling, who quit her full-time job to take online courses. "They're constantly being updated. There's [sic] groups where people are talking about the new stuff in the field and there was just nothing that I ever received with my marketing degree.”
The Iowa College Access Network, or ICAN, helps people apply for federal aid and counsel those who are thinking about higher education or a career change. The company says, in most cases, you do need some sort of credentials to enter the workforce, but that doesn't have to be a four-year degree.
“Does that mean a four-year degree? Not necessarily," said Brittania Morey, the company's vice president. "Options after high school can include everything from a registered apprenticeship, which doesn't cost anything. It's an earn-as-you-learn-program.” Morey says those earn as you learn programs will pay you as they train you in a variety of fields.
A one-year certificate, two-year certificate, an apprenticeship, the right kind of internship, can all get you where you want to go. “ICAN” is available to help you understand your options. You can learn more at their website icansuceed.org.
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