March CFHS Counseling Update
Updates on important things happening!!
Scheduling Update for 2022-23
The CFHS Counselors are finishing up with individual meetings with our juniors and sophomores to confirm their course requests and make sure everything is set for their 2022-23 schedule. Students should be bringing home a printout of their course requests that parents need to sign. Students will then return the signed sheet to the counseling office. The school counselors really enjoy these individual planning meetings to get to know the students and check on their progress. If students have not met with their counselor, they will be scheduled after spring break. This process is so important and we appreciate students and parents taking time to be intentional about their course requests.
Understanding the Financial Aid Process
The CFHS Counseling office has invited John Holland, a representative from the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) to provide a free presentation on financial aid for Juniors and their parents on Monday, April 4th at 6:00 p.m. at CFHS. Sophomores and their parents may also want to join us!
Topics will include:
- Financial Aid Process
- FAFSA Application Review
- Understanding FAFSA Results
- Understanding Costs – College Comparisons
- Financial Aid Options
- Scholarships Process
- Where to Go for Help
About ICAN
The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has 10 Student Success Centers in Ankeny, Cedar Rapids/Hiawatha, Coralville, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Orange City, Sioux City, and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit
www.ICANsucceed.org ACT Information and Preparation
Juniors who are interested in attending college may want to consider taking the ACT in June, or July. There will also be a September date available. Registration takes about an hour to complete. Please let us know if you need a fee waiver. See the ACT flyer above for information on how to register.
Here are some of the ACT prep options available.
- FREE ACT Prep Materials -ACT offers many prep options for free. Please see the website. We also have a hard copy of the practice test that students can pick up in the counseling office.
- Free ACT prep through UNI-CUE: During the school year, ACT Prep tutoring sessions will be offered virtually at no cost to high school juniors and seniors from Black Hawk County who are preparing to take the ACT exam. Each ACT Prep session will consist of tutoring on the specific subject plus test-taking strategies. Students may repeat courses as often as they feel is necessary in order to raise their ACT/SAT scores. Students are not required to attend every subject session. For more information about the ACT Prep Program, call 319-273-4772 or email breitsad@uni.edu
ICR Future Career and College Fair
Students of all ages are encouraged to participate in the annual ICR Future Career and College Fair. Whether you're a freshman or sophomore just starting to explore career options, or a junior narrowing your list of college choices, the ICR Future Career and College Fair is the perfect opportunity for you to gather knowledge, make connections, and begin to make informed decisions about your future.
Sunday, April 3, 2022 - 12:30 - 3 p.m.
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center - Cedar Rapids
The 2022 event will be held in person. We will follow social distancing guidelines and exhibitors will be spaced further apart. We will also monitor and direct traffic flow to reduce congestion in the exhibitor areas.
Important Dates for Seniors
Tuesday, May 10th: Honors Convocation at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 19th: Seniors LAST day!
Friday, May 20th: Breakfast, Graduation Practice, and Grad Walk!
Sunday, May 22nd: Graduation at the McLeod Center on the University of Northern Iowa Campus beginning at 2:00 p.m.
Cedar Falls High School Counseling Office
