Iowa College Aid
Iowa College Aid
The application is open for the 2023-2024 school year.

Students can now apply for the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) and the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS)

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FAFSA
FAFSA
Planning to attend college next year?

Jump start your educational journey by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

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Iowa Skilled Trades
Iowa Skilled Trades
Not ready for college?

Iowa Skilled Trades may have an alternative for you. Learning a trade can offer you personal fulfillment, high salary potential, and job stability.

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Grants & Scholarships
Grants and Scholarships
Need help paying for college?

Iowa offers numerous options to help cut out-of-pocket expenses for your education - many that you do not have to pay back!

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Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP)
Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP)
Want to get connected?

AMP is a statewide group that seeks to unleash the full potential for personal growth among foster and adoptive youth, age 13-21, in Iowa.

Learn more
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Iowa College Aid
The application is open for the 2023-2024 school year.
FAFSA
Planning to attend college next year?
Iowa Skilled Trades
Not ready for college?
Grants & Scholarships
Need help paying for college?
Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP)
Want to get connected?
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next arrow

The OPT-in College Access Network for System-Involved Youth

An initiative that seeks to increase the number of youth, who have been under the supervision of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, that earn a post-secondary credential including college and trade schools.

Opt-In Presents:

 “Earn & Learn Opportunities”

March 24th, 2025 @ 11AM-12:30PM

Normalize sending youth to Trade Schools after high school without making them feel like they’re less that a 4-year University youth.  College isn’t for everyone, and everyone deserve the chance to be their best!

Presenters:

iJag

Project Iowa/YouthWorks

Science Bound

Avenue Scholars

Job Corps

Area Education Association 

Iowa Workforce Development

And more!

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BGJanfeMR4OlQfjaMkYMDA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 

 

Our Goals

Utilizing a collective impact framework, OPT-in will impact systems-level change to ensure that these youth have the necessary supports, resources, and opportunities to achieve their postsecondary education goals.

By 2025, OPT-in College Access Network will work to increase the number of youth formerly in foster care who:

High School Completion

Have a HS diploma or equivalent

Currently
75%
Goal by 2025
85%

Postsecondary Attendance

Attend postsecondary by age 19

Currently
21%
Goal by 2025
30%

Postsecondary Persistence

Received ETV and return for 2nd year

Currently
54%
Goal by 2025
70%
Learn more about our SMART goals
Postsecondary

Learn more about what's happening

AMP hires a new Program Manager

Samanthya Marlett recently joined YSS as the new Program Manager for AMP, a statewide group that supports youth in foster care.
Learn More

Social Worker of Excellence Award

Kimberlee Gregory was recently awarded the Social Worker of Excellence Award by the National Association of Social Workers.
Learn More

Meet Leticia Aossey

Laticia has dedicated her life to overcoming the statistics and stereotypes placed on foster kids. She spent a total of ten years in Iowa's foster care system which included moving 18 times and switching schools 14 times. Laticia defeated the odds by graduating high school early and going on independent living at age seventeen, then participating in Iowa’s Aftercare program. She graduated from Capella University with a Masters degree in Social Work in December of 2022. She is currently working as the Program Operations Manager for Iowa’s foster care youth council, known as AMP, and as the Cedar Rapids AMP Facilitator.