Iowa?s private colleges participating in weeklong tour

DES MOINES ? While high school juniors and seniors are enjoying the last few weeks of summer, thousands of them and their parents will be spending the first week of August visiting the campuses of Iowa?s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities.

The first week of August is traditionally Iowa Private College Week, when 28 Iowa private colleges open their doors for campus tours for prospective students. This year?s dates fall on Aug. 1-5.

?It?s a really important time for these young students and their parents because choosing the right college or university is a critical decision,? said Gary Steinke, president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

?The campus visit is so important because students can see for themselves which institutions offer the right academic package for them, which campuses feel like the right size, and what a safe and supportive environment all of our institutions provide,? said Steinke.

Parents also can find out how affordable a college education can really be, said Steinke.

?The Iowa Tuition Grant program provides $43 million in student aid to more than 17,000 Iowa students each year,? he said. ?Our campuses add more than $300 million in institutional financial aid so that very competitive tuition packages are available. So many parents are surprised to find a private college education for their son or daughter is well within their reach.?

Campus tours will be twice each day, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Registration is available either on the campuses or online at http://www.thinkindependently.com. At the website, students can sign up for specific times and locations, use a map to plan travel between campuses and get a free music download for registering.

Casey?s General Stores is providing gasoline discount coupons for participants. The 5-cent per gallon discount coupons are provided to participants when they complete a campus tour. Also, any student who participates in three campus visits during the week and ultimately enrolls at an IAICU member college will be entered in a drawing for a $500 bookstore voucher. Fifty-six winners will be chosen.