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Iowa has long been a leader in education. In 1937, representatives from 19 Midwestern colleges, including three Iowa institutions (Cornell, Grinnell, and University of Dubuque), gathered in Illinois with the goal to provide students greater access to higher education. This visionary group founded the Association of College Admissions Counselors, which became the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) in 1995.

The Iowa Association of College Admission Counselors (Iowa ACAC) was founded in 1948, when several Iowa colleges brought the goal of serving students in the transition to postsecondary education down to a state and local level. Iowa ACAC is one of 23 state and regional affiliates of NACAC and plays an active role in promoting and providing ethical and equal access to higher education for all students.

In 1993, Iowa ACAC filed Articles of Incorporation organizing as a non-profit 501(c)6 corporation. The organization legally changed its name in 1996 to Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling.

In 2019, Iowa ACAC became a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization.

Iowa ACAC assists students, parents, and secondary school counselors in the college admissions process through many popular programs. Among them:

  • The College Day/College Night program incorporates 30+ college fairs scheduled throughout the state, providing thousands of students and parents access to over 130 two-year and four-year public and private colleges, technical schools, military representatives, and not-for-profit college planning programs. Along with in-state educational organizations, over 60 colleges from around the country choose to meet Iowa students through the Iowa ACAC college fair program.

  • The annual spring conference provides Association members time for professional development, networking, and information exchange over a course of three days in May.

  • Secondary school counselors are offered the opportunity to learn more about Iowa's educational environment through the R.I.D.E. (Rediscovering Iowa's Diverse Education) in June. This three-day bus tour is offered free so school counselors can learn more about the opportunities available to their students.

  • The annual Visit the Hill is a free advocacy experience for those who assist students in the college admission process at both the postsecondary and secondary levels. Students, from both levels, are also welcomed to attend this event as an excellent learning opportunity in how government works,
  • The Freddy Miranda Access Scholarship is awarded to eight total Iowa high school seniors and Iowa postsecondary students, whose high schools and colleges are members of Iowa ACAC. Freddy Miranda was someone who was giving of his time, cared for others, and had a desire to improve the world. It is our hope to honor Freddy’s memory by choosing scholarship recipients that embody similar qualities and characteristics.

Iowa ACAC is proud of its partnerships with high school counselors, AEAs, and other professionals who work to assist Iowa students and maintain Iowa's reputation as a leader in education. If you would like more information on how to be a member, or any of the programs offered through Iowa ACAC, please contact us at [email protected].

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