Visit Colleges Unofficially

With fall comes college football games and other sporting events, cultural offerings, guest speakers and other activities at college campuses across the nation. Use these events as a reason for unofficial visits with your student.

In addition, after learning more about unofficial college visits, read more about National College Savings Month and a chance to win money for college in a guest article from Treasurer of State Roby Smith.

Why It Matters

Set the stage for future decisions.
Even if your student has been on college campuses before, it may not have seemed real. As a sophomore, however, your student will need to more carefully consider plans for after high school.
You have the time to be casual.
Your student will not begin actually applying for college for about two more years, so there is time for casual visits to get overall impressions without any pressure.

What Your Student Can Do Now

Consider likes and dislikes.
Just visiting a college campus and its surrounding community can help a student understand whether the size, location and features are appealing. This is not the time to “fall in love” with a particular institution but to explore general likes and dislikes of similar schools.
Step onto campus.
Spend some time walking about the campus away from the event you’re there to see. If buildings are open to the public, check out the interiors. Hang out near the student union or other obvious gathering places to observe the overall atmosphere. Also walk around the surrounding community to see what retailers, entertainment options and other venues are convenient.
Keep an open mind.
Many students will develop a preference for a specific size or type of college; others think they can be happy on just about any campus. Remind your student that others with similar backgrounds and personalities can be found at most colleges if your student is willing to get involved and find them.

What Your Student Can Do Later

Start or update a list.
Using information from the unofficial visits, your student can start exploring programs online and creating or updating a running list of possibilities for after high school. The overall cost of attendance should be carefully considered along with other factors while creating the list.
Talk to others.
Your student can ask older students, relatives and acquaintances why they chose a particular college or program and how the actuality compared to expectations. This kind of personal anecdote will only provide one point of view, however, so your student should be careful to remember that their own experience could differ a lot.
Continue to explore programs.
As opportunities arise to visit other programs and campuses — perhaps through school activities, sporting events, summer road trips or camps — your student should consider whether each specific program or location is appealing. The list of potential applications can be refined throughout high school.

What You Can Do

Make it simple.
Don’t pressure your student to make any decisions yet. Encourage your student to express their initial thoughts and impressions without judgment.
Openly discuss your own thoughts.
Feel free to share what you see as advantages and disadvantages but try to be objective and look at it from your student’s perspective rather than your own. A distant campus can be difficult for you as a parent but may provide exactly the program and experience your student needs.
Be honest about finances.
If a particular institution starts to surge to the top of the list but seems like it may be unaffordable for your family, discuss options with your student. Encourage exploration of similar, but less expensive, programs and campuses and discuss possible ways to make up the cost difference without going too deeply into debt.

Supporting Tomorrow, Together: Help Build a Child’s Educational Future

Every child’s future is shaped by a village of people who encourage, inspire and invest in their dreams. Parents, grandparents, family members, educators, mentors, friends and community organizations all have a role to play in helping children build a bright future.

This fall, ISave 529™ is celebrating the power of a village with the Supporting Tomorrow, Together Giveaway. Register at Iowa529contest.com for the chance to win a $1,000 contribution to an ISave 529 account and help build a child’s educational future. The giveaway ends September 30.

An ISave 529 account can help families save for qualified education expenses at eligible institutions, including colleges, universities, apprenticeship programs and trade schools. Funds may also be used for qualified expenses beyond tuition, such as K-12 expenses, room and board, books, supplies and a computer.

The earnings grow tax-free while in the account, and there are no federal or state taxes on qualified withdrawals. Iowa taxpayers have the added benefit of deducting up to $6,100 in contributions per account from their 2026 state income taxes.

Whether you’re a parent saving for your child, a grandparent looking for a meaningful way to give, or a mentor who wants to make a difference, every member of a child’s village can help build their tomorrow. Learn more about how ISave 529 can be part of that village at ISave529.com or contact us at (888) 672-9116.

Roby Smith
Iowa State Treasurer

About the Author: Roby Smith is the State Treasurer of Iowa and administrator of the ISave 529 education savings plan. He serves as the State’s banker, coordinates bonding and invests Iowa’s money. Treasurer Smith is also the administrator of Iowa’s unclaimed property and Iowa’s ABLE plan for individuals with disabilities. To learn more about the Treasurer, visit IowaTreasurer.gov.

For additional details about ISave 529, read the Program Description. ISave 529 and the ISave 529 logo are trademarks of the Iowa Educational Savings Plan Trust.

Next Steps

Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!

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