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Can You Change Your Common App Essay After Submitting?

The essay is a vital part of your college application. It’s not only a place to showcase your writing skills, but also demonstrate your personality — the qualities you can’t reveal through your grades and test scores.

If you make a mistake or realize your essay isn’t quite what you want it to be, it’s nerve-wracking. What can you do? Is it possible to change it after you click submit?

You can make any number of changes to your Common App essay — and any other component of your application — once you’ve submitted it. However, these changes will not be reflected in applications that have already been submitted; they will only appear in future submissions. (The Common App likens your submission to dropping it in a mailbox.)

If you want to make changes to an essay you’ve already submitted to an institution, you will need to contact that school’s admissions office to see if it’s possible. We only recommend doing this if there’s a major error with your essay, as it won’t reflect well on your proofreading skills to try to slightly modify your essay after submission.

When Should You Change Your Essay?

The best course of action is to ensure that your essay is polished and written to the best of your abilities before you submit it to any college. However, there are some circumstances under which you should make changes.

If you made a mistake, for example, you should try to fix it for future applications. (That doesn’t mean you should call up an admissions office over a misplaced comma — we’re talking major errors.) You also might want to change your essay if you plan to cover a similar topic for a specific school supplement. Or, if you got deferred, you may want to try to improve your essay for the regular admission cycle.

Tips for Changing Your Common App Essay

1. save the older version somewhere else..

Before you do anything, save your current version elsewhere, such as in a Google doc. You don’t want to make changes and not be able to access your previous version, should you decide you preferred the old one more.

2. Reflect on flaws in the older version and target them in your revisions.

When revising your essay, focus on what was missing in the old version. You don’t want to go crazy with the revisions — more than likely, there were some strong pieces in your previous draft. Instead, just focus on what really needs improvement, and focus on this when editing.

In some cases, you may actually want to start from scratch, especially if you feel that your essay topic didn’t properly capture your personality. It is okay to start over, but make sure it’s something you 100% want to do before proceeding. 

See our tips for editing your college essay to get inspiration for your revision.

3. Make sure the changed essay complements the rest of your application and supplements.

Your application is a cohesive representation of you. The pieces should go together to present a clear picture of you as a student and a person. When you make edits, ensure that the essay still complements the rest of your application. Avoid having it overlap with other pieces, such as your school-specific supplements. At the same time, you should ensure that you’re addressing every part of your background and personality that you want the adcom to see.

4. Double- and triple-check before submitting.

This, of course, is something you should do before you hit send in the first place. Read your essay over several times. Read it aloud, too, because this can help you spot errors you may miss reading it silently. Get another set of eyes on it if you can.

See our college essay checklist to make sure you’re ready to submit.

And with CollegeVine’s Peer Essay Review tool , it’s easy — and free! You can get your essay reviewed by students, and improve your own writing skills by reviewing others’ essays. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to get started.

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Can You Submit Different Common App Essays to Different Schools?

By Eric Eng

Yes, you can submit different Common App essays to different schools. The Common App allows you to change your essay from year to year, which means you can customize your essay for each school, submit it, make changes, and then submit the revised version to another school. This might be particularly helpful if you need to share certain stories or narratives that are better fit for specific specialized schools, such as placing a greater emphasis on business for Wharton or tech and entrepreneurship for Stanford. 

How to Edit Common App Essay?

To edit your Common App essay, go to the Common App tab and click on the Writing section . From there, click inside the text box where your essay is located and make any necessary changes. Be sure to save your changes by clicking ‘Continue’ when you’re finished. You are allowed unlimited edits to your essay even after your first application submission.

What Exactly is the Common App?

The Common Application is a non-profit organization with over 900 distinct educational institution members. Its mission focuses on:

• Removing logistical and institutional barriers that hinder access to higher education.
• Assisting those dedicated to aiding students in various capacities.
• Supporting a diverse array of students and organizations.
• Informing member institutions through data and insights.

With the Common App, both first-time and transfer students can apply to multiple universities simultaneously. Students only need to enter common information, such as name, address, and extracurricular activities, once.

This streamlined college application process, used by many top schools, saves time and reduces the stress of creating different materials for each school. Even if your preferred college doesn’t accept the Common Application, most schools need similar documents, making it easy to transfer data like high school transcripts and test scores.

Institutions Accepting the Common App

Over 950 schools and institutions endorse Common App, establishing it as a standard in college admissions, which includes public universities, some international institutions, and all Ivy League universities.

Some prestigious institutions that accept the Common Application include:

• Arizona State University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Northwestern University
• The Ohio State University
• University of Chicago
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of Pennsylvania

How to Use the Common App?

The Common App website offers five main tabs. Typically, students begin by adding schools through the “College Search” feature. Once added, these schools appear in the “Dashboard” tab, which summarizes application progress and lists tasks required for each institution.

To complete the application, students navigate to the “Common App” page, filling out details like family history, transcripts, and test scores.

Overcoming Indecision

Can you change your common app essay for different schools? Students sometimes find themselves torn between two versions of their Common App essays, debating whether to submit each version to different schools. Since the Common App allows for essay changes year to year, you can use this opportunity to refine your essay for each application. You can improve versions that will align with the unique preferences and requirements of each school, which can help ease your indecision and allow you to present the best possible version of yourself to each institution.

Can you submit different essays on the common app?

No, you cannot have multiple or different personal essays in the Common Application. The Common App allows you to modify any part of the application without restrictions, except for the personal essay.

For instance, you can make unlimited edits to your writing in the “Additional Information” section, which means you can customize content for a specific school and then adjust it for others. This can be particularly useful when handling additional information.

While it’s theoretically possible to write varied content in the “Additional Information” section for each school’s application, it’s generally not recommended. You will submit one main essay through the Common Application for all your schools. Some colleges may also ask you to answer a few supplemental questions.

I Made a Mistake in My Common App Essay. Help!

Can you edit Common App after submitting your essay? Don’t panic; you still have the option to make some changes. The Common App allows unlimited edits to your personal essay before you submit it to any school. Once you have submitted the essay to at least one school, you can still make changes for subsequent submissions.

To revise your personal statement, navigate to the Common App tab, choose the Writing section, and click within the text box to make changes. Always make sure you save any modifications by selecting “Continue.”

It’s important to understand that after your Common Application essay or any part of your application has been submitted, subsequent edits won’t be reflected in the applications already sent. They will only be included in any future applications you send.

If you’re hoping to adjust an essay you’ve already forwarded to a school, it’s a good idea to contact that school’s admissions office to see if modifications are possible. However, consider this action only for significant errors. Editing minor mistakes post-submission can indicate a lack of thorough proofreading on your part.

In summary, while you can edit your Common App essay multiple times, edits after submission are only applicable to future applications, not past ones.

Advice on Editing Your Common App Essay

• Backup First: Before making changes, double-check if you have saved your original version separately. You might decide it’s better than your edited version later on.
• Address the Shortcomings: Reflect on any gaps or weaknesses in your original essay. Your revised edition should address these points.
• Be Cautious with Edits: Remember, your initial draft had its merits. Avoid unnecessary revisions and focus only on major improvements.
• Rethink Your Topic: If you feel the original topic wasn’t a true reflection of you, consider starting from scratch. Only do this if you’re wholly confident about the new direction.
• Maintain Consistency: Your revised essay should seamlessly fit with the rest of your application and any supplemental information you’ve provided.
• Avoid Repetition: Make sure your essay doesn’t replicate information you’ve shared in other sections, like school-specific supplements. It should showcase different aspects of who you are.
• Review Before Resubmission: Before you resubmit, read through your essay multiple times. Reading it aloud can help you catch errors, and having someone else review it offers a fresh perspective.

While the Common Application does provide some flexibility, students must approach the essay submission process with caution and strategy . If considering multiple essays for different schools, it’s essential to understand the platform’s limitations and to ensure each version effectively communicates the student’s story. Ultimately, it’s about presenting oneself authentically and compellingly to each prospective institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Common App essay limit?

Your Common App essay must be between 250 and 650 words . You can find the prompts and instructions by logging into your Common App account, navigating to the “Common App” tab, and clicking on “Writing.” You’ll choose one of seven prompts to respond to within the specified word limit.

2. Is it OK if my Common App essay is too long?

No, it is not recommended to exceed the 650-word limit set by the Common App . Admissions officers expect well-written essays that adhere to the specified word count, demonstrating your ability to follow directions.

3. How do you know if your Common App essay is good?

A strong Common App essay:

• Directly answers the prompt question.
• Clearly and compellingly communicate your point or story.
• Reveals something meaningful about you that isn’t evident from the rest of your application.
• Uses proper grammar and spelling.

4. How many times can you edit your Common App essay?

You can make unlimited changes to your Common App essay and any other part of your application, even after submitting it to colleges. This flexibility allows you to customize your essay to each institution’s preferences.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, editing personal statement after submitting.

Hey everyone! As I reread my personal statement after submitting my college application, I noticed a couple of mistakes. Is there any way to edit my personal statement and update the admissions office, or is it too late now?

Hello! Unfortunately, once you have submitted your college application, you typically cannot update or edit your personal statement. However, if the errors you noticed are minor, such as a few typos or grammatical errors, don't stress too much about them. Admissions officers understand that mistakes can happen, and a few small errors should not have a major impact on your application review.

If the mistakes substantially affect the clarity or meaning of your essay, you could consider reaching out to the admissions office of the college(s) you've applied to, politely explaining the situation, and asking if it's possible to submit a corrected version. However, be aware that they may not allow for an update, as admissions offices typically have strict policies to ensure a fair review process for all applicants.

In the future, make sure to proofread your essay multiple times before submitting and, if possible, have someone else review it as well. A second set of eyes can help catch any errors you may have missed. Good luck with your college application process!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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When is the latest you can edit your personal statement once submitting for verification purposes?

• Thread starter SquigglyQ
• Start date May 14, 2017

Full Member

• May 14, 2017

hopefuldr_12

SquigglyQ said: Hello, With most of my transcripts and LORs already delivered to AMCAS, I feel it will be my personal statement delaying the process. I am on my third draft, but every reader picks a different part of my essay they want me to expand on or clarify, so I feel I will be doing this until mid-June. I have every intention of submitting for verification June 1st though, so can I edit while it is being verified or even once it has been verified? Or, does submitting on June 1st mean what I have on AMCAS is locked forever. Thank you! Click to expand...

Thank you. Does the whole "throw away school" technique work in this case? If it doesn't, are 2 weeks worth of additional revisions on a personal statement worth delaying the verification process?  

Plain-spoken Texan

SquigglyQ said: Thank you. Does the whole "throw away school" technique work in this case? If it doesn't, are 2 weeks worth of additional revisions on a personal statement worth delaying the verification process? Click to expand...

hopefuldr_12 said: Processing can take up to 6 weeks from the time that your application and all required official transcripts are received. Click to expand...

wysdoc said: Read it out loud and see. If it sounds stilted and stuffy, change it to something more conversational. Does it show the personal qualities you want to show? Does it say something more than your lists of activities? Click to expand...

SquigglyQ said: Oh, in that case, if my last transcript or LOR isn't in by June 1st, all the more reason to continue editing. AMCAS won't verify me regardless. You have been very helpful, thank you. It's weird, the first person who I sent it to was on an ADCOM and said it was pretty much done, other than some organization and grammar. Then I tried to get different demographics to read my statement to see who responds well to it and each person has very unique commentary (moreso than I expected), so I've come to a standstill as I'm torn between re-writing it to try to make every ADCOM like it and changing very little and maybe having 1-3 ADCOMs love it. I have noticed the female readers really like my dramatic flair, but the male readers are indifferent/hesitant about it. But I do agree that about 1/3 of my essay summarizes my ECs, so I'll try to think about how to "show, don't tell". Sorry for the monologue, this is something I have been trying to ignore due to frustration, but time is quickly approaching. If you ever feel up for reading a personal statement, let me know. Click to expand...

UnicornFrappuccino

We discussed this two hours ago if you scroll down a little on the main pre-allo page.  

UnicornFrappuccino said: We discussed this two hours ago if you scroll down a little on the main pre-allo page. Click to expand...

Alta California

I do not recommend "dramatic flair."  

gyngyn said: I do not recommend "dramatic flair." Click to expand...

SquigglyQ said: If I tone down my essay, could I keep 2-3 sentences that show that part of my personality? Click to expand...

gyngyn said: It depends on your personality. Click to expand...

gonnif said: dont add risk by writing that be misconstrued as showy or frivilous Click to expand...

Catahecassa

You want readers to walk away from your PS thinking, "wow, I really like SquigglyQ. We should interview him/her." Adding controversial ideas is not a good way to earn that response. I've seen one person pull it off, but I would advise you to tread lightly if that's your approach.  

Lost In Transcription

Reports of my assimilation are greatly exaggerated.

• May 15, 2017

hopefuldr_12 said: Sure! You can just select one school to start (or as many as you choose). How many revisions it will take until you feel your personal statement is up to par and ready and finally done--that's completely up to you. Keep in mind the below, from AMCAS FAQ's, regarding how much time it could take before your AMCAS is verified: Processing can take up to 6 weeks from the time that your application and all required official transcripts are received. Click to expand...

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Common App Personal Statement- can you change it after submitting to first school?

Hello- I have what I am sure is a VERY naive question. S22 is EDing at one school. Obviously that school will look at his Common App Personal Statement, plus his Supplemental question answers.

Can he make changes to the Common App Personal Statement after submitting to the ED school?

If so, will the ED school see the updated edits? or is their copy of the Personal Statement “frozen” at the time that he submitted to the ED school?

Thank you so much, and sorry for the naive question.

The Common app is a one way, one time submission to each school. Once, application is received by a school, any subsequent changes will not be sent. So, yes, you change the personal essay or anything else for schools that haven’t been submitted yet.

Ah, so you could customize the Personal Statement to each school?

You can change anything and it will get applied to future submissions, but not apps already submitted. Personal statement, test scores, etc.

My daughter changed which test scores to submit based on whether the school superscored or not. She also tweaked her personal stmt and activity list a little.

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College Essay Advisors Answers your Common App FAQs

The Common App has made applying to college easier in so many ways. Only one form for your personal information! Only one activity resume to fill out! That said, as with so that now rely on the miracles of modern technology for basic functionality, the Common App’s online platform can be a little confusing — and scary! “What if I press the wrong button and submit applications to every school without including my essay? What if I forget to the press the submit button altogether?!!!”

Fear not! We are here to clarify the most confusing and least intuitive elements of that temperamental online application form. Below are some of the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Common App, along with some questions you never knew you had. (You’re welcome!)

I made a mistake filling out my information and need to revise! How do I do that?  The Common App platform allows you to revise the information in all sections as many times as you need to, even after you have submitted to some schools, with one important exception: THE ESSAY. Once submissions have begun, students can only revise their personal statement three times.  It should also be noted that once an application has been submitted to a school it can no longer be revised. Any subsequent changes will only be reflected in the applications you submit moving forward.

CEA Recommends: drafting your essay in Word and then copying and pasting it in to the Common App platform after plenty of proofreading. Then you don’t have to worry about how many revisions you have left!

How do my recommenders submit their letters? There are multiple ways to submit your letters of recommendations. Old school paper letters are allowed; if your school uses Naviance that works too, and your recommenders can also use the Common App site themselves.

CEA Recommends: make the recommendation process as easy for your recommenders as possible. This means finding out which method for submission is easiest for them and giving them all the information they need to make it happen!

Where are those supplements?  Sometimes you’d rather not know all the extra work that awaits you in other sections of the application. But you also want to get in (and we want you to, too!). Make sure you check all sections so you don’t miss any! Some schools list their supplements in a separate section in the school’s drop down menu. But some also put essay prompts in other sections of the online profile.

CEA Recommends: do the work to find all the supplemental essays you’ll need to answer ahead of time so you’re not surprised when it comes time to fill out the application online. We’ll help make those supplemental essays shine as bright as your Common App essay!

That stupid green check mark is showing up all over the place. What does it mean? You’re thinking to yourself “green means go” and “check means okay” but non-universal symbols can be confusing. The worst offender in the Common App is the green check mark. According to the Common App Help Center, a green check mark can mean that you’ve completed a section, a submission to a college has been made, or that a section isn’t necessary to complete.  We agree—not helpful.

The other symbols are a little more intuitive: a black dash means a section is not applicable and you don’t need to fill it out. A red dash means that something is not required. But a red asterisk means that the question IS required. A yellow dot means that a section of the application has not yet been submitted. These yellow dots will turn green when they have been submitted.

CEA Recommends: double check your application and fill out as much as possible. It is rare that you’ll spend forever filling out a section that won’t help you get in. And the platform will stop you from filling out irrelevant information; schools don’t want to read more than they ask for either!

Is there a single place I can find information about the application requirements for a specific school?  Yes! You can find information on deadlines, fees, college testing policies, the number of required recommendations, and art and writing supplement information for each school. Just click on the “My Colleges” tab to get the information for each of your schools.

CEA Recommends: keeping an eye on those deadlines and requirements. Having it all in one place on the Common App site is a major time-saver so you can focus your efforts on crafting that beautiful gem of an essay!

Can I ask the Common App questions through social media?.  They have a Facebook page  and a Twitter account . Go forth and query!

Read about this year’s Common App questions .

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I made a mistake – can i change my personal statement.

Once you've sent your completed application to us, we cannot change your personal statement or upload a new one.

You may be able to send a new statement directly to your choices. If you do, remember to quote your UCAS PID. Please do not send it to UCAS.

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Personal Statement - Change After Submission?

• Thread starter YoitsFly
• Start date Aug 13, 2022
• Aug 13, 2022

I recently completed my personal statement and most of my candidate kit and submitted it for review. I noticed I answered the essay prompts as two separate essays and not a singular essay. I didn't catch this error until after submitting. Should I be worried about this mistake? If so, is there a way I can edit my personal statement after submitting it? The website still let me submit my essays, so I didn't go over the character/word count. There is an option to review and withdraw next to my application file, but I don't know if the withdraw button will pull my entire application or not. Thanks in advance.  

ChatterMom2

Dd usna '27.

Do not use the Withdraw feature. It will withdraw your whole application for this admissions cycle (c/o '27) and you won't be able to reapply until next admissions cycle(c/o '28). You can check with your admissions counselor about your personal statement. I think I have seen someone else ask this question before and if I remember correctly you can't change your personal statement after submission. But you should check with your admissions counselor to make sure that is the case.  

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Can I change an application on the portal after submission?

Hello, I have very controlling parents. They want to look through my entire application. One, they will want me to write a personal statement on a summary of everything I did in high school. Two, I don’t want them to see my activities list bc a lot of my activities relate to social media and my parents think social media is evil. I have mitigated these problems by not showing them the “common app” section and only showing them the individual colleges on the dashboard section, so they have no clue that the “Common App” section exists. I didn’t intend on showing them, but when you “review and submit” it shows a PDF of the entire application including the Common App Personal Statement and Activities List. They insist on sitting next to me when I hit the submit button, so they’ll see it. Is there any way I can submit without them knowing about my personal statement and activities list if they’re paying the app fee? Or any way to edit the personal statement and activities list on the portal after I submit?

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Personal Statement: Top 10 Rules and Pitfalls

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From Top 10 Rules and Pitfalls // Purdue Writing Lab

Writing the personal statement: top 10 rules.

• Strive for depth rather than breadth. Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences
• Try to tell the reader something that no other applicant will be able to say
• Provide the reader with insight into what drives you
• Be yourself, not the ‘ideal’ applicant
• Get creative and imaginative in the opening remarks, but make sure it’s something that no one else could write
• Address the school’s unique features that interest you
• Focus on the affirmative in the personal statement; consider an addendum to explain deficiencies or blemishes
• Evaluate experiences, rather than describe them
• Proofread carefully for grammar, syntax, punctuation, word usage, and style
• Use readable fonts, typeface, and conventional spacing and margins

WRITING THE PERSONAL STATEMENT: TOP 10 PITFALLS

• Do not submit an expository resume; avoid repeating information found elsewhere on the application
• Do not use the same personal statement for each application. Generic statements are often obvious
• Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme
• Do not talk about money as a motivator
• Do not discuss systemic and social injustices simply as complaints, but as a relevant source of motivation for your overall goals and intended studies
• Do not remind the school of its rankings or tell them how good they are
• “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is…”
• “This question asks me to discuss…”
• “I would like to thank the admissions committee for considering my application.”
• “It is my sincere hope that you will grant me the opportunity to attend your fine school.”
• “In sum, there are three reasons why you should admit me…”
• Do not use unconventional and gimmicky formats and packages
• Do not submit supplemental materials unless they are requested
• Do not get the name of the school wrong
• Do not incorporate technical language or very uncommon words

Stewart, Mark Alan. Perfect Personal Statements. New York: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996.

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National Public Data Cyber Attack: Massive Data Breach Exposed Countless Social Security Numbers and Personal Info

You can't prevent data breaches, but there are steps you can take to keep your identity safe.

Danni Santana

Danni Santana has spent seven years as an editor and business journalist covering industries like sports, retail, restaurants, and now personal finance. Most recently he worked as a retail editor at Business Insider. He is a graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. His biggest loves outside of the newsroom include, running, cooking, playing video games and collecting sneakers.

Courtney Johnston

Senior Editor

Courtney Johnston is a senior editor leading the CNET Money team. Passionate about financial literacy and inclusion, she has a decade of experience as a freelance journalist covering policy, financial news, real estate and investing. A New Jersey native, she graduated with an M.A. in English Literature and Professional Writing from the University of Indianapolis, where she also worked as a graduate writing instructor.

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More details about the cyberattack on National Public Data, a background check company owned by Jerico Pictures Inc., have come to light since the company’s first public statement addressing the incident last week.

According to a recent filing made to the Maine attorney general’s office , NPD says 1.3 million Americans were impacted in the breach. However, other reports and expert commentary range from hundreds of millions of people to upwards of 2.7 billion impacted. A lawsuit brought against NPD claims the number of affected people could be as high as 2.9 billion. At this time, it’s still unclear exactly how many people were impacted.

What we do know is that data stolen by hackers includes names, Social Security numbers , phone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses. That data was then leaked in April and this summer, according to NPD.

“We cooperated with law enforcement and governmental investigators and conducted a review of the potentially affected records and will try to notify you if there are further significant developments applicable to you,” NPD said in a statement published on its website . “We have also implemented additional security measures in efforts to prevent the reoccurrence of such a breach and to protect our systems.” Note that NPD’s website is still blocked on some browsers due to increased security.

The lawsuit brought against NPD is seeking class-action status and states that the trove of stolen data was put up for sale on the dark web by the cybercriminal group USDoD for $3.5 million. Additionally, the plantiff was only alerted of the NPD breach thanks to a notification from his identity theft protection service on July 24.

National Public Data and Jerico Pictures Inc. have not responded to CNET’s multiple requests for comment. 

How to protect your identity after a data breach

Data breaches are popping up more frequently. More than 1,500 data breaches have occurred in the first half of 2024, impacting about 1 billion people, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center . This includes prominent breaches at AT&T and Ticketmaster this year.

If you’re worried about this latest data breach or simply want to safeguard your personal data, there are steps you can take. Remember, just because your data was compromised in a data breach doesn’t mean your identity will be stolen. However, bad actors will have more complete profiles of you if you’re eventually targeted.

Luckily, there is plenty you can do to protect your identity.

Change your password

If you receive notice that your data was compromised in a breach, your first step should be to change your password for the affected account to avoid any unauthorized access. If you use the same password for other accounts, it’s a good idea to update those too.

A good rule of thumb is to use a unique password for each online account. If you’re finding this difficult to manage, try keeping your passwords safe with a password manager .

Watch out for phishing and smishing attempts

Be wary of targeted phishing and smishing attempts by cybercriminals looking to extract personal data from you. With so much information about us online and on social media, cybercriminals have become crafty about devising effective fraud schemes to dupe victims.

It’s important to not click random links on your phone or email, which can lead to malicious software being downloaded onto your devices.

Also, don’t provide your financial account information or Social Security number on a whim to anyone, as this can lead to unauthorized access into your bank accounts or even identity theft.

Sign up for identity theft protection

It might be worth signing up for identity theft protection if you’re really concerned about your identity being stolen. Individual coverage ranges from $7 to $15 per month. Family plans are also available.

Services like Aura , CNET’s top pick for identity theft protection, scan for your personal data on the dark web and monitor your credit and bank account activity. If your identity is stolen, the top identity theft protection companies will help restore your identity and provide insurance to cover stolen funds and necessary expenses. 

Freeze your credit

Freezing your credit with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion is the best way to keep bad actors from opening new credit accounts in your name. I just froze mine and found the process to be surprisingly easy. You will have to unfreeze your credit any time you want to apply for a new credit card or car loan, but in our opinion the benefits outweigh any pain points. 

Keep in mind that cybercriminals can still gain access to your existing credit and bank accounts, so this is not a foolproof solution. But freezing your credit is free. 

Keep an eye on your credit reports

If you choose not to freeze your credit reports, you can still download a free credit report each week from each of the three major credit bureaus. Be sure to monitor your credit profiles for any new accounts you did not open. You can download your free credit reports here . 

You can also sign up for a credit monitoring service that can alert you when new accounts are opened in your name. CNET Money editor, Evan Zimmer, recommends Experian’s credit monitoring service which ranges from $0 to $25 a month..

You should also get in the habit of checking your bank statements for any fraudulent charges.

Recommended Articles

My personal data was exposed after the at&t breach. identity theft protection saved me from financial ruin, your personal data may be on the dark web. here’s how you can protect yourself against identity thieves, best identity theft protection and monitoring services for august 2024.

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Writers and editors and produce editorial content with the objective to provide accurate and unbiased information. A separate team is responsible for placing paid links and advertisements, creating a firewall between our affiliate partners and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers.

CNET Money is an advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We’re compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or when you click on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact where and in what order affiliate links appear within advertising units. While we strive to provide a wide range of products and services, CNET Money does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Iowa Child Care Search Now Available

Visit the new Iowa Child Care Connect Child Care Search.

Iowa Smokefree Air Act

In 2008, Iowa lawmakers passed legislation to protect most Iowans from secondhand smoke. The Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in almost all public places and enclosed areas within places of employment, as well as some outdoor areas.

The law applies to: restaurants, bars, outdoor entertainment events, and amphitheaters. It also covers places of employment such as office buildings, health care facilities, and child care facilities. 

Smoking is allowed on the gaming floor of a licensed casino, as well as designated hotel and motel rooms. Below are educational materials relating to the law. To order Smokefree Air Act stickers (for businesses or vehicles) please call 888-944-2247.  The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services is charged with enforcement of Iowa's Smoke Free Air Act.

Submit a Complaint

Call 888-944-2247 or complete the form to submit a complaint . 

Submit a complaint about a business for alleged violation(s) of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act. You are not required to include your name or contact information, but Iowa HHS strongly suggests that you include your name and contact information with a complaint. Although it is possible to submit a complaint anonymously, this may slow down the department's ability to immediately address the alleged violation because further investigation may be necessary.

Local law enforcement may investigate complaints about alleged violations of the Smokefree Air Act. The Division of Tobacco Use Prevention & Control may notify the proprietor of the public place or place of employment or coordinate a site visit after receipt of a complaint.

NOTE:  Complaints should be made within 10 days of observing potential violation(s), in order to facilitate a timely investigation.

Smokefree Air Act FAQs

I live in a duplex or apartment building and my neighbor smokes. what can i do.

The Iowa Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in the common areas of apartment buildings (stairs, hallways, laundry room, etc) but does not prohibit smoking in an individual's apartment.

Smoking can be prohibited by the property owner or apartment manager and we suggest you look for a non-smoking residence before you move..

When did the Smokefree Air Act take effect?

The law went into effect on July 1, 2008.

How far away from a door or window must you be to smoke?

The Iowa Smokefree Air Act does not have a distance requirement.

Are e-cigarettes or vapes covered under the Iowa Smokefree Air Act?

The Iowa Smokefree Air Act does not apply to Electronic Smoking Devices (e-cigs, vape, Juul, etc...). The use of these products MAY be prohibited by a business or property owner if they adopt such a policy.

I smoking outside a restaurant allowed?

Smoking is prohibited in the outdoor seating and/ or serving area of a restaurant. A restaurant is an establishment that prepares food. (Usually they will have a kitchen, a fryer or grill, etc. The difference is between, for example, making a pizza or just warming one up). Outdoor seating and/ or serving areas must be marked as non-smoking when you enter the area.

Is smoking prohibited in Motor Trucks or Truck Tractors?

Smoking is not prohibited in the “cabs of motortrucks or truck tractors if no nonsmoking employees are present.” Iowa Code § 142D.4(7). 

“Motor truck” and “truck tractors” are not defined in the SFAA but are defined in Iowa Code chapter 321: 

• “motor truck” means every motor vehicle designed primarily for carrying livestock, merchandise, freight of any kind, or over nine persons as passengers” 
• “trucktractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.” Iowa Code § 321.1(41), (88)

How do I order no-smoking stickers?

You can order free No Smoking signs (clings or stickers) by emailing [email protected]. Please include how many you need, if you want clings or stickers, and where to send them. You can also call 888-944-2247.

Order No Smoking and Tobacco & Nicotine Free Signage 

For general use.

For Organizations and Businesses that Also Want to Prohibit Vaping and Other Tobacco Use

How to Order

Email  [email protected]  or call 888-944-2247. Include the following information:

• Price: Order for free. There is no cost to order signage.
• Contact Information & Mailing Address: Your full name and the address to mail the signage. 
• A and B are for general use. 
• E and F are for organizations and businesses that also want to prohibit vaping and other tobacco use.
• There are two directional options for the "No Smoking" and two directional options for "Nicotine Free" - 3 inches by 3 inches or 4 inches by 6 inches.
• Clings are sticky on the front and go on the inside of a door or window.
• Stickers are sticky on the back and go on the outside of a door, window, or wall.

Signage Options

• Option A:  No Smoking (English/Spanish) Building Cling or Sticker 6"x4" (Buildings)
• Option B:  No Smoking (English/ Spanish) Vehicle Cling or Sticker  3" x 3" (Vehicles)
• Option E:  Tobacco Free/ Nicotine Free stickers or clings 6" x 4" (Buildings)
• Option F: Tobacco Free/ Nicotine Free Vehicle sticker or cling: 3" x 3" (Vehicles)

* To ensure the business has a strong tobacco-free/nicotine-free policy, and to qualify for free window signs and metal outdoor signage, the policy must explicitly include all of the following: Policy must extend to all types of tobacco, nicotine and electronic smoking devices (ESD) products (i.e. not only cigarettes; include all tobacco, ESDs and nicotine products not approved by the FDA for cessation.) Policy must extend to employees & visitors Policy must apply at all times Policy must extend to company vehicles Policy must extend to entire business property to receive outdoor signage.

Signage Requirements

The Smokefree Air Act requires businesses to post “no smoking” signs at every entrance that “clearly and conspicuously” inform persons that they are entering an area where smoking is prohibited, including entrances to outdoor serving and seating areas and in all vehicles owned, leased, or provided by an employer.

• All “no smoking” signs must contain the following elements:
• The words “No Smoking” or the international “No Smoking” symbol
• The Smokefree Air Act Helpline: “1-888-944-2247”
• The official Web site: “www.hhs.iowa.gov/smokefreeair” (older signs can have www.iowasmokefreeair.gov or smokefreeair.iowa.gov)
• All “no smoking” signs should be at least 24 square inches in size, 6x4 is a common size or 8x3. Font type and size must be legible. Vehicle signage must meet all of the above requirements, but the size can be at least 9 square inches.

Other Resources

Quitline Iowa Quitline Iowa is a toll-free, statewide, tobacco cessation telephone counseling hotline. Trained counselors provide callers with information about the health consequences of tobacco use, assistance in making an individualized quit plan, and on-going support through optional follow-up calls: 1-800-Quit-Now

Iowa HHS Tobacco Use Prevention & Control The mission of the Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control is to establish a comprehensive partnership among state government, local communities, and the people of Iowa to foster a social and legal climate in which tobacco use becomes undesirable and unacceptable.

Laws and Rules

The laws and rules governing Iowa's Smoke Free Air Act include:

Iowa Code 142D   

Administrative Rules  

Educational Fact Sheets

Need information about how the Iowa Smokefree Air Act applies in certain locations or situations? Choose a fact sheet below to learn more. (Are we missing information that you're looking for? Use Contact Us link for more information.)

Fact Sheets by Topic

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