Welcome to the Post-Secondary Resources section of our school counseling website! Here, we provide valuable tools, guidance, and information to help you navigate your journey after high school. Whether you’re considering college, vocational training, apprenticeships, or entering the workforce, we’ve gathered resources to support your next steps. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about your future and set you on the path to success. Explore the options, discover your potential, and let us help guide you every step of the way!
ICAN (Iowa College Access Network) Resources
ICAN is a wonderful tool for post-secondary exploration and preparation. ICAN’s mission is to empower Iowans to achieve lifelong success through education, training, and informed decision-making. ICAN helps nearly 800,000 students, parents and education professionals prepare for college each year. Planning for a career and college, applying for financial aid and mastering your financial situation can be confusing and intimidating. For that reason, ICAN’s team of Student Success Advisors work directly with Iowa students and their families.
Please explore ICAN’s website and discover the man resources and tools readily available for you!
ICAN Countdown Your Future Calendar by Grade
Career Exploration
Student Career Exploration Opportunities
Please encourage your student to participate in a career exploration opportunity to learn more about potential future careers. Events highlighted in purple will be school-chaperoned, with transportation provided.
Additionally, these events will count as a career readiness artifact for your student’s graduation portfolio. Space is limited, and students must complete all registration requirements to secure their spot.
Thank you for supporting your student’s career exploration journey!
View full list of upcoming events
Career Exploration Opportunities at NHS
Career Internship
The Career Internship is designed to provide seniors with a capstone internship experience. Students will be given the opportunity to match a potential career field of interest with an internship experience made available to them by the instructor or the student’s connections. It will require students to work 8-10 hours per week and will be supervised by the Work-Based Learning Coordinator. The internship is ideally scheduled for 3 class periods during the school day (periods 1-3 or 7-9). Most internships are experience based; however, a few are paid. No service hours will be given because you are receiving credits.
Please contact the Career Internship Coordinator, Mrs. Irlmeier (jodie.irlmeier@norwalkschools.org), for more information.
Intro to Education Teacher Academy
This program provides students the opportunity to explore education-related professions and take part in real-life teaching experiences. Courses fulfill Level I Field Experience requirements at many four-year colleges.
Please contact the Intro to Education Coordinator, Mrs. Metcalf (kim.metcalf@norwalkschools.org), for more information.
Culinary Arts ProStart Program
The ProStart program is a two-year educational program supported by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation in partnership with the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The program also pairs with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) to offer students college credit. After completing NHS culinary courses (Foods I, Foods II, Culinary I, Culinary II, and Warrior Enterprise) students who have been successful throughout the program can then study to take the ProStart exam. Students will also need to have some work experience. If a student is struggling to find hands on work experience, Mr. Molina will work with students to earn hours in the Warrior Cafe and through the Nutrition Table. Upon successful completion of the ProStart exam, students will receive 12 DMACC credits.
Students are also eligible to earn the ServSafe certification through the Culinary Arts Program.
Please contact the Culinary Arts Teacher, Mr. Molina (Ro Molina), for more information.
Career Day
NHS offers a career day every other year for students, providing them with an opportunity to explore various professions and gain insight into potential career paths. Professionals from a wide range of fields, including healthcare, business, engineering, and the arts, visit the school to share their experiences and offer advice. This event helps students make informed decisions about their future by exposing them to diverse career options and inspiring them to pursue their passions.
Upcoming Career Date: Spring of 2026 (Official day is TBD)
If you are interested in presenting at Career Day, please contact Jodie Irlmeier (jodie.irlmeier@norwalkschools.org).
Skilled Trades Fair
Career Exploration Resources
- O*Net Interest Profile
- Career One Stop
- Reality Check
- Future Ready Iowa
- Iowa Career Planning
- Xello – NHS Career Information System (Coming 25/26 academic year)
College Exploration
College Planning
College planning involves preparing academically, socially, and financially for the transition to higher education. This includes researching colleges, understanding admissions requirements, preparing for standardized tests, and seeking scholarships or financial aid. By starting early and staying organized, students can make informed decisions and ensure a smooth application process. Below are some helpful resources:
Iowa Post-Secondary Institutions
U.S. Department of Education College Score Card – Find Your Right Fit
College Visits
NHS encourages students to go on college visits to help them explore potential campuses, experience college life firsthand, and make informed decisions about their future. These visits provide students with the opportunity to interact with admissions officers, tour facilities, and assess the environment, which aids in choosing the best college fit for their academic and personal goals. By participating in college visits, students gain valuable insights that can guide their decision-making process.
If you are planning to attend a college visit, please inform all of your teachers that you will be gone and collect and materials/assignments you will be missing. A parent/guardian will need to contact the attendance office to excuse your attendance for the day.
Upcoming College Visits and Local College Fairs
College Visit/Job Shadow Artifact for Graduation Portfolio
RAI (Regent Admission Index)
Iowa high school graduates must achieve a Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of at least 245 and take the minimum number of required high school courses to qualify for automatic admission as freshmen to Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa. The RAI Core Course Lists provide each Iowa high school with a list of their respective courses that are accepted for the RAI. Students who achieve a score less than 245 will be considered for admission on an individual basis.
Minimum Course Requirements for Iowa Regent Schools
The RAI combines factors that strongly predict success at the Regent Universities: ACT or SAT test score, high school cumulative grade-point average and the number of completed high school core courses. Calculate your RAI here.
Common App
The Common App is a standardized online application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities with one application, streamlining the admissions process. It provides a convenient way for students to manage their application materials, including essays, transcripts, and recommendation letters, for a wide range of schools.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are structured training programs that combine hands-on work experience with classroom instruction, allowing individuals to learn a trade or skill under the guidance of experienced professionals. They provide a unique opportunity for individuals to earn while they learn, gaining valuable real-world skills that prepare them for long-term careers. Often found in industries like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare, apprenticeships are an essential pathway to career development and job security.
Military
Choosing the military as a post-secondary path after high school offers individuals the opportunity to serve their country while gaining valuable skills and experience. It provides a structured environment where young adults can develop leadership, discipline, and technical abilities, often with the added benefit of educational and career advancement opportunities. For those seeking a sense of purpose, adventure, and the chance to contribute to something greater than themselves, the military can be a fulfilling and rewarding path.
ASVAB testing is administered twice a year at NHS. Please contact Mrs. Drymon (kari.drymon@norwalkschools.org), for more information.
DMACC
AA Degree Tracker & AS Degree Tracker
DMACC Tech Support: (515) 981-1833
Spring 2025 DMACC Important Dates
- January 9th or 10th: Pick up books in the Counseling Center. Failure to pick up books and verify you can log into DMACC will result in losing your DMACC release and you will be placed in study hall.
- January 13th: First day of classes
- January 27th: Last day to drop for NO grade & placed in NHS course
- March 31st: Last day to drop and receive “WNC” on your transcript. This grade will not impact your GPA at NHS but you could be put on academic probation at DMACC. If you fall below the minimum course requirement at NHS you will be placed in an online e20/20 and which must be completed by the end of the semester.
- April 1st: All drops from this date until the end of the semester will be a “FW” on your transcript. This grade will impact your GPA at NHS and you could be put on academic probation at DMACC. If you fall below the minimum course requirement at NHS you will be placed in an online e20/20 and which must be completed by the end of the semester.
2025/2026 DMACC Registration
- Fall 25 DMACC Registration – Due by May 2nd at 4 PM
- Spring 26 DMACC Registration – Due by November 5th at 4 PM
Funding Your Post-Secondary Future
Types of Financial Aid
- Grants are given by the government, schools or organizations to help you pay for college. Grants do not need to be repaid and are usually given based on financial need. Grants are awarded as part of your overall financial aid package.
- Scholarships also don’t need to be repaid and are usually given based on financial need or merit (meaning you’ve earned it by being a good student, a good athlete or meeting some other qualification). Scholarships are awarded by private donors or schools.
- Work-Study involves a part-time job, usually on campus, so you earn a paycheck (usually to cover personal expenses) while attending school. Work-study jobs are awarded as part of your overall financial aid package, but you’ll need to check the available openings and apply for jobs.
- Student loans must be repaid (with interest) and are often used to cover expenses that can’t be paid for in other ways. Many college loans are set up so you don’t need to begin making payments until after you graduate.
Iowa Post-Secondary Net Price Calculator
Scholarships
Local Scholarships
- Local scholarship applications, amounting to over $25,000 in financial aid, are available to Norwalk High School seniors. Each of the scholarships available is awarded to Norwalk graduating seniors and junior early grads ONLY. Each scholarship has an application, available online, which has requirements unique to that scholarship; therefore, please study each set of the requirements and apply for those that you feel you meet or exceed the requirements. Some scholarships will use a google form and other scholarships will need to be completed and turned in at the Counseling Center. All applications are due by March 31st at 3 PM. No late applications will be accepted/considered.
- View Local Scholarship List
- Local Scholarship General Information
State and National Scholarships
Scholarship Search Resources
FAFSA (Free Application For Student Aid)
- Why Should I File the FAFSA?
- FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID
- A FSA ID must be created first before beginning your FAFSA. The FSA ID can be used to electronically file, sign and update the FAFSA form. You can also use your FSA ID to check the status of your application online.
- FAFSA Website Link
- Ready to file? Here is what you will need.
- What happens after I file the FAFSA?
- How can I get help completing my FAFSA?
- NHS holds a FAFSA completion workshop each fall to assist families in filling out the FAFSA. Information will be sent to all senior students and families to register.
- Schedule and in-person or virtual meeting with an ICAN advisor here.
NCAA & NIA
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is a governing body that organizes and oversees college sports in the United States. It provides opportunities for student-athletes to compete in various sports while balancing academics and athletic performance at colleges and universities across the country.
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is an organization that oversees college athletics for smaller schools across the United States. It offers student-athletes the chance to compete in a variety of sports while prioritizing academic achievement and fostering a well-rounded college experience.