High Demand Careers are those that have the largest number of positions currently available in your area. Most require some type of training. To learn what High Demand Careers currently exist in Iowa,

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• Future Ready Iowa Career Assessment
• My Next Move

A. Want assistance with career exploration to move into the workforce as quickly as possible? Contact:

B. Want assistance with career exploration to further your education? Contact your local college:

To see NIACC’s Career Planning Guide:
Please Click Here

C. Are you undecided about your career goals or path, where to get started, or how to juggle training and work? Contact:

• Certificate = 6 weeks to 9 months
• Diploma = approximately 1 year
• AA or AAS = 2 years
• Bachelors = 4 years
• Masters = Bachelors plus 1-2 additional years, depending on program

FAFSA stands for FREE Application for Federal Student Aid.

• The FAFSA will tell you what financial assistance is available to you for your education.
• To complete the FAFSA, typically you will need your taxes and W-2s from 2 years prior to enrollment (for example: if you want to enroll in 2019, you will need 2017 taxes and W-2s). Situations vary so it is best to contact your local college Financial Aid office.
• For help, you can contact any of the following:

For Free help completing taxes, you can contact any of the following:

• ISU Extension & Outreach CG County 641-423-0844 
• North Iowa Community Action Organization  641-423-7766 or 1-800-873-1899

 If you wish to file a FAFSA yourself but do not have a computer of internet:

When open IowaWORKS offer FREE computers and internet to complete your application.  Please contact them for hour

IowaWORKS

• 600 Pierce Avenue
• Mason City, IA 50401
• 641-422-1524

• To learn more about FAFSA:
  Please Click Here

The answer is YES, there are resources offered that you can reach out to for assistance!
Here are a few:

1. Many EMPLOYERS offer education assistance, so be sure to inquire at your workplace!
2. IowaWORKS
   641-422-1524 ext. 44536
3. North Iowa Community Action
   www.nicao-online.org
4. Government Childcare
   https://dhs.iowa.gov
5. North Iowa Area Community College

• PACE :
  (Pathways for Academic Career Education and Employment) program is designed to help students be successful in their education to employment journey. A Pathway Navigator works with eligible participants to identify and minimize challenges, connecting students with college and community resources, monitoring student progress, evaluating need for program/financial supports, and assisting students with finding post-NIACC employment.
  • Learn more about NIACC’s PACE program: niacc.edu/pace
• GAP: Provides tuition assistance and career supports to eligible applicants enrolling in GAP-approved non-credit certifiate programs. These include short-term certificate trainings for high demand occupations such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, transportation and information technology. Get in – Get Out –Get to Work!
  • Learn more about NIACC’s GAP and GEER: niacc.edu/gap
• GEER (GAP-II): GEER is like an extension of GAP as it focuses on non-credit certificate program and approved credit certificate programs that are not eligible for Federal financial aid (non-FAFSA).
  • Learn more about NIACC’s GAP and GEER: www.niacc.edu/gap
• TRIO: Student Support Services (SSS) helps eligible students stay in college and graduate. TRIO offers counseling, tutoring, college survival skills, orientation classes, career exploration, transfer assistance, and cultural awareness. Participants must be citizens or legal residents of the United States who are currently enrolled full-time in a credit program, and meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements: first generation student, low income, and/or students with a physical r learning disability.
  • To learn more, please visit https://www.niacc.edu/student-life/trio-student-support-services/
     

Inspiring Ted Talks for Students  Please Click Here