ICAN PD Offerings 2025-26

Career Advising:

Top 10 Websites to Know and Love 
With the overwhelming number of online resources available to support students in their postsecondary planning journey, it’s essential to know which tools truly deliver value. This fast-paced session will introduce counselors and college access professionals to ten must-know websites that can streamline the advising process, deepen student engagement, and support informed decision-making.  Participants will explore the functionality, audience, and practical use cases for each website—including tools for career exploration, college matching, financial aid guidance, test preparation, and more. Whether you’re working one-on-one
with students, supporting parents, or planning classroom lessons, you’ll leave with a refreshed digital toolkit to enhance your daily practice. 
September 30, 2025 | 11 am - Noon | Register

Career Planning Myths—Busting the Misconceptions
Students are often influenced by outdated or inaccurate beliefs about what it means to build a successful career. In this engaging and myth-busting session, we’ll explore the most common misconceptions about career planning and provide strategies counselors can use to guide students toward a more realistic
and empowered approach. From the idea that a college degree guarantees success to the belief that students must choose a lifelong career path in high school, we’ll reframe the conversation with tools, language, and resources you can bring back to your school immediately. 
December 9, 2025 | 1-2 pm | Register

Career Advising for High School: Guiding Students Towards Purpose and Possibility
Career advising is more than picking a job—it’s about helping students connect their interests, skills, and goals to future possibilities. This session equips school counselors and educators with tools and strategies to provide meaningful career guidance in high school. From integrating ICAP/DCAP requirements to facilitating
career exploration and planning conversations, participants will walk away with a framework for supporting all students in building confident, informed plans for life after high school.

January 19, 2026 | 1 -2 pm
Registration Opening Summer 2025

Career Advising for Middle School: Laying the Foundation for Future Success
Middle school is the ideal time to begin meaningful career exploration. In this session, counselors and educators will discover how early career advising helps students build self-awareness, connect academics to goals, and begin thinking about life after high school. Participants will explore developmentally appropriate
strategies, tools, and lessons that align with ICAP/DCAP requirements and
support future planning for all students. 
February 25, 2026 | 11 am - Noon
Registration Opening Summer 2025

Career Advising for Elementary: Building Dreams from Day One
Elementary students are natural explorers, making this the perfect time to
introduce career concepts. In this session, participants will learn how to
incorporate age-appropriate career development activities that build self-
awareness, curiosity, and aspiration. Discover strategies that align with
ICAP/DCAP frameworks and set the stage for lifelong learning and future
planning—all while keeping it fun and engaging for young learners. 
April 7, 2026 | 1-2 pm
Registration Opening Summer 2025

College Advising:

College Fit & Match: Guiding Students to the Right Postsecondary Path 
Choosing a college or training program isn’t just about rankings or prestige—it’s
about fit and match. This session will help educators guide students in identifying
the best postsecondary options based on academic match, financial fit, and
personal preferences. We’ll explore tools, advising strategies, and practical
frameworks to help students assess their options and make confident, informed
decisions that lead to long-term success. 
October 16, 2025 | 1 -2 pm 
Registration Opens Summer 2025
 

College Planning Myths: What Students (and Parents) Get Wrong and How to Set Them Straight 
Many students and families approach college planning with misinformation or outdated assumptions that can lead to stress, missed opportunities, or poor decision-making. This session explores common myths about college affordability, admissions, and success—and provides strategies counselors can use to guide students with accurate, empowering information. Participants will leave with practical tools and messages to help families navigate college planning with clarity and confidence. 
February 18, 2026 | 1-2 pm | Register
 

Stopping Summer Melt: Preventing Enrollment Drop-Off and Learning Loss 
Summer melt takes two forms—students who plan to attend college but never
enroll, and students of all ages who lose academic progress over summer break.
This session addresses both challenges with a two-pronged approach: strategies
to support college-intending graduates through summer enrollment tasks, and
tools to minimize learning loss in K–12 students. Participants will leave with a
framework for identifying at-risk students, delivering timely support, and
maintaining engagement over summer break to ensure every student is ready for
what's next—whether it’s the next grade level or the first day of college. 
April 28, 2026 | 1-2 pm
Registration Opening Summer 2025

Financial Basics 
This foundational session is designed for school counselors and professionals
who are new to admissions and financial aid. Participants will gain a clear
understanding of the financial aid process, key terminology, and how to support
students as they explore and apply for financial aid.
Key Topics Covered:
o Overview of the financial aid process
o Common financial aid terminology
o Types of aid: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study
o Understanding the role of the FAFSA
o Guiding students through financial aid planning
Available On Demand 
Registration Opening Summer 2025

FAFSA Deep Dive: Navigating Special Circumstances with Families 
When it comes to financial aid, not every student’s situation fits neatly into a
standard FAFSA form. This session takes a deep dive into special
circumstances—such as job loss, divorce, homelessness, and more—and how
they impact financial aid eligibility. Counselors will learn how to identify these
cases, guide families through documentation and appeals, and support students
in maximizing their aid options. Whether you're new to financial aid or looking to
strengthen your understanding, this session equips you with practical tools to
assist students facing unique challenges. 
October 28, 2025 | 11 am - Noon 
Registration Opening Summer 2025

FAFSA Deep Dive: Supporting Non-Citizen & Undocumented Individuals. 
This training is focused on equipping school counselors, higher education, and
college access professionals with the knowledge and strategies necessary to
assist non-citizen and undocumented students with the FAFSA process and
alternative financial aid options. 
November 12, 2026 | 11 am - Noon
Registration Opening Summer 2025

Comparing Financial Aid Offers: Helping Students Make Smart College Choices 
Understanding financial aid offers can be overwhelming for students and families.
This session equips educators with tools and strategies to support students in
evaluating and comparing financial aid offers. We’ll cover how to read offers
accurately, calculate true costs, and have meaningful conversations about
affordability, value, and loan borrowing. Participants will leave with comparison
tools, key terminology cheat sheets, and sample advising scenarios. 
March 31, 2026 | 1-2 pm 
Registration Opening Summer 2025

MTSS Series:

MTSS & FAFSA: Building a Tiered System of Support for Financial Aid Success
Financial aid completion is one of the strongest predictors of college enrollment—yet many students miss out due to confusion, fear, or lack of support. This session explores how educators can embed FAFSA education and support into a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. Learn how to build universal awareness, targeted interventions, and individualized support to boost FAFSA completion rates and promote postsecondary success for all students.
December 2, 2025 | 11 am-Noon
Registration Opening Summer 2025

MTSS & Career Advising: A Tiered Framework for Future Readiness 
Career planning isn't one-size-fits-all. Using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
(MTSS) framework, educators can provide structured, equitable, and
personalized career advising across all grade levels. This session explores how
schools can embed career exploration and planning into universal instruction,
targeted supports, and individualized advising. Discover how to deliver career
development services that meet all students where they are—while helping them
move forward with purpose. 
February 10, 2026 | 11 am - Noon
Registration Opening Summer 2025

MTSS & College Advising: A Tiered Support System for Postsecondary Success 
College planning is a complex and often overwhelming process—but with a Multi-
Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), schools can provide equitable and effective
guidance to all students. This session outlines how college advising can be
integrated into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports, ensuring every student has the
opportunity, access, and resources to pursue postsecondary education. From
universal awareness activities to targeted interventions and individualized
advising, participants will explore strategies to scaffold support and reduce
college access barriers. 
April 16, 2026 | 1-2 pm
Registration Opening Summer 2025

Family Engagement:

Family Engagement: Partnering with Families for Career and College Success 
This session explores how schools can build meaningful partnerships with families to support students’ career and college planning. We’ll discuss common barriers to engagement, culturally responsive strategies, and practical tools for involving families in both long-term planning and short-term decision-making. Participants will leave with a family engagement toolkit that includes communication strategies, event ideas, and resources for all grade levels. 
March 10, 2026 | 11 am - Noon
Registration Opening Summer 2025