Local College Access Networks

Local College & Career Access Networks (LCANs) aim to increase college attainment using a framework known as Collective Impact. The Bureau of Iowa College Aid provides grant money to fund an LCAN Coordinator, travel, training, and other costs associated with creating the network and carrying out LCAN initiatives. 

Since the first LCANs were formed in 2015, more than $4 million has been invested in 23 communities in Iowa to increase college and career attainment.

Each LCAN assesses the assets and needs of its community and works to fill the gaps in partnership with local colleges, school districts, area education agencies, business groups, elected officials, employers and community, and religious organizations. LCANs identify multiple community goals that focus on increasing college attainment.

Iowa LCANs

LCAN Grant Series

Iowa College Aid offers a four-year series of grants to continuing Local College & Career Access Networks using the Collective Impact framework. The LCAN grant series is intended as seed funding for locally driven collaborative measures. Sustainability of LCANs and their initiatives is emphasized and addressed throughout the grant series.  

For more information on Collective Impact or the LCAN Grant series, contact Anne Thomas or Megan Sibbel.

Key Partners

The Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Iowa College Aid works with communities across the state to address workforce needs and increase educational attainment through the Local College & Career Access Network (LCAN) grant series. Iowa College Aid provides consultation and funding to select Iowa networks, using the Collective Impact framework to increase college attainment at the local and statewide level.

Resources