Parent Guide

Preparing For College

DMACC Parent Guide

Sending your child to college is a big decision. This guide gives you information about DMACC, step-by-step instructions, and resources to help you guide your child into a successful college experience.

Prepare for College in these 5 Easy Steps

1. APPLY Complete our free online application. Apply Now!
2. ASSESSMENTS Assessments are required for some DMACC programs. Check to see if a program requires assessments by calling the DMACC Admissions Office at 515-965-7337.
3. APPLY FOR DMACC SCHOLARSHIPS DMACC annually offers more than $2 million in scholarships for qualifying students. No FAFSA is required and the application process is quick and easy. Scholarship Information
4. APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID DMACC’s Financial Aid Office is here to help provide the information you will need to make these important financial decisions about grants, scholarships, work-study, and low-interest loans. For more information, visit DMACC Financial Aid.
5. ORIENTATION After your application for admission is accepted and orientation season begins, you will receive an email with orientation information. We know you might have some questions in the meantime, and we hope to answers those for you. Contact us at Orientation@dmacc.edu or 515-965-7321.			When does Orientation Season Begin? Fall - mid-April Spring - late-October Summer - mid-March

DMACC Degree Options

Whatever Interest Your Student, DMACC Has the Perfect Pathway to Guide Their Future

Advance Your Student's Learning — no matter where they are on your journey! DMACC’s more than 200 programs and learning areas are organized into 10 academic and career-focused pathways. Each student can select the pathway that best represents their interest or career goals below to see all the possibilities. With these programs, they can either graduate and join the workforce, or transfer. To learn more about a pathway, select an icon below.


			$Math & Science$

Within each pathway, a DMACC student can earn the following:

An AA is a degree made up of 64 credits students can earn at DMACC with the intent of continuing their education at a four-year college or university. An AA is a relatively inexpensive way to take care of their general education requirements.

AA Degree

An AS is also a degree made up of 64 credits best suited for students that want to enter a career field after two years but want the option to transfer to a four-year college in a related field.

AS Degree

An AAS is a degree made up of 64-86 credits students can earn at DMACC that prepares them to be ready to enter the related market or industry.

AAS Degree

A Certificate of Specialization has a maximum of 48 credits and can typically be completed in 52 weeks that prepares student to enter the related market or industry. Certificates are not intended to have a general education component.

A Diploma has 30-48 credits and can typically be completed in 52 weeks. A diploma prepares students to be ready to enter the related market or industry. Diplomas are primarily discipline specific, with a small amount of general education required.

Nondegree Classes

DMACC also offers nondegree classes through Continuing Education. Continuing education coursework supports a student’s desire to update or learn new skills, advance in their current job, or renew a professional license.

Transfer Options

DMACC is a great place to start the college pace, and transfer to a four-year institution to complete a Bachelor's Degree. To learn more about classes and degrees that transfer to four year colleges and universities, visit our Transfer Options.

Paying for College

Paying for college is possible! Every student at DMACC should apply for financial aid.

STEP 1: COMPLETE THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
Go to FAFSA.GOV. DMACC’s federal school code is 004589.
DMACC has no deadline for submitting the FAFSA. However, students should apply as early as possible because it takes 3–5 weeks to get aid in place. In addition, the State of Iowa has a deadline of July 1 for most state grants and scholarships.

STEP 2: MAKE SURE YOUR STUDENT CHECKS THEIR DMACC EMAIL!
DMACC may need to request additional information from them before we can finalize their financial aid offer. Make sure they read communications from the DMACC Financial Aid Office so they don’t miss important information.

STEP 3: DON’T FORGET TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.
At DMACC, one application does it all! DMACC Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students every year, and only require one application. Learn more about scholarships, loans, grants, and other financing options.

STEP 4: REVIEW YOUR DMACC FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE
See what your student is eligible to receive. Remember, financial aid includes grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study—or a combination of all four!

DMACC makes paying easy by accepting the following:

Credit or Debit Card
Checks, Money Orders, and Electronic ACH Transfers
College Savings Plans and 529 Accounts
Trusts, Scholarships, and 3rd Party Benefits

For more information regarding any of our payment options, email us at mybill@dmacc.edu

Payment Plans

Looking for a tuition payment option that doesn’t involve student loans? Payment plans let you spread out your tuition balance throughout the school year, so you won’t have to worry about a big lump-sum due date at the beginning of each semester. With multiple options available, you can use your payment plan to cover your entire balance or supplement existing financial aid and scholarships to graduate with less debt!

Setting up a payment plan is easy. Our payment system is linked directly to your student’s myDMACC account so you can access its features from anywhere.

Authorized Payers

You can also make it easy to get assistance from anyone helping support your student’s academic journey. Students can set up an Authorized Payer in our payment system and that person will be provided with a login to their own payment account, granting the ability to make payments on the student’s behalf.

Anyone can be set up as an authorized payer, and they will only be given access to view the balance and make a payment. No other academic or personal information is provided.

Quick Reference Guide

Admissions Our Admissions representatives at each campus, are excited to help you and your student with each step! Contact the Admissions department if you have questions at 515-965-7337.
Academic Support FREE tutoring at the Academic Achievement Center on each campus. Academic advisors, faculty mentors, and other student support services available.
Advanced Student Academics Explore the possibilities and take education to the next level with Advanced Student Academics. Our Honors Program offers scholarships, exclusive study areas, and academic fellowships. Join Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society of two-year colleges.
Apartment Living Housing available at DMACC Ankeny, Boone, and Carroll. Apartments with great amenities, including a full kitchen and private bedrooms, are available in both DMACC housing and private complexes.
Bookstore Visit a DMACC Bookstore or order books and supplies online.
Career Exploration Career Exploration program curriculum is guided by business owners and industry executives serving on sector boards. Close professional community connections create opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and jobs. Increased chance for employment in high-demand careers before graduation.
Disability Services Disability Services office focuses on student accommodations for student success. Orientation for new students and individual orientations covering physical access and early registration. Academic success workshops.
Evening Services Evening Services office provides students with the following: Registration for credit and noncredit classes is available. Counseling and advising services are offered. Tuition payments are accepted.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) FERPA is a federal law that gives students rights to their educational records.
Flexible Class Schedules DMACC offers a class schedule on six campuses and six learning centers throughout Central Iowa for ultimate flexibility. A growing array of online classes offers unsurpassed options for fitting classes around lifestyle and work.
Financial Aid One application lets student apply for all available scholarships. Pay close attention to any application deadlines. Loans, grants, workstudy and other types of financial aid available. Outside scholarship listing.
Intercollegiate Athletics Boone Campus is the home of the DMACC Bears sports teams: basketball, baseball, dance, ESPORTS, softball, golf, cross country, track & field, and volleyball. DMACC coaches win team championships, help individual athletes perform, and work hard to connect students with transfer opportunities that fit their athletic ability and career aspirations.
Registration Registration information on how and when to register for classes. Registration dates. Add, Drop or Withdrawal.
Safety & Security DMACC Public Safety works with local law enforcement to make sure our campus sites are safe for your student. DMACC Bear Alert automatic emergency notification system. Weapons are not allowed on DMACC campuses.
Student Accounts Pay your bill, order transcripts, and other financial account information through Student Accounts.
Student Life Get involved. DMACC has a vibrant campus life. Campus Recreation Student Activities and Clubs
Technical Support DMACC Help Desk assists with IT support and student technical issues. Visit DMACC Technical Support or call 515-965-7300.
Veterans Full-time Veterans Services Coordinator on staff. More than 600 veterans and eligible family members receive VA Education Benefits at DMACC.

For other services and support available, visit Student Resources.

Explore DMACC - Discover All DMACC Has to Offer

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