Grants & Work-Study
File the FAFSAThere are a variety of ways to pay for your education, including state and federal grants and work-study. Keep reading to learn more.
Grants
The Pell Grant provides funding to students who demonstrate financial need.
Once you earn a bachelor's degree, you are no longer eligible for the Pell Grant.
You can receive Pell Grant funds for no more than 6 years (12 full-time semesters) according to the lifetime limits set by federal law.
Undergraduates can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award within the academic year. That means you may be able to receive up to a full-time award in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
File the FAFSA as soon as possible.
The SEOG provides funding to students with the most financial need. Preference is given to Pell-eligible students who have the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for 2023-2024 and lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) for 2024-2025.
Funding is very limited; priority is given to students who complete a FAFSA by March 1.
The Iowa Vocational/Technical Tuition Grant provides funding to Iowa residents who are enrolled in a post-secondary vocational/technical program and demonstrate financial need.
You must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in an eligible vocational program and taking required core coursework to qualify. This grant is not available for the summer semester.
Pre-vocational/technical majors do not qualify for this grant.
File your FAFSA by July 1.
The Kibbie Grant, also called the Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant, provides funding for Iowa residents who are enrolled in specific programs at Iowa community colleges.
You must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in an eligible vocational program and taking required core coursework to qualify.
File your FAFSA by July 1.
The GEAR UP Scholarship provides funding to students who are part of the GEAR UP Iowa state-wide cohort. To qualify, you must:
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or home school diploma.
- Be under the age of 22 upon first receipt of scholarship funds.
- Be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours.
File your FAFSA by July 1.
The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship provides funding to students who have graduated from an Iowa high school and demonstrate financial need. However, priority is given to students who:
- Age out of Iowa’s foster care system or a state training school.
- Were 16 or older when they were adopted out of Iowa’s foster care system.
- Participated in GEAR UP.
You must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in a program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate to qualify. This grant is not available for the summer semester.
File your FAFSA and the Iowa Financial Aid Application by March 1.
The Education Training Voucher Grant provides funding to Iowa residents who age out
of foster care or who are adopted after age 16. You must be enrolled in at least 3
credit hours to qualify.
File your FAFSA and the Iowa Financial Aid Application by March 1.
The Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grant (NGEAP) provides funding to Iowa National Guard members who satisfactorily complete Guard training and maintain satisfactory performance of Guard duty.
You must be pursuing a certificate or degree. This grant is not available for the summer semester.
File your FAFSA and the Iowa Financial Aid Application by March 1.The EICC Grant provides funding to Iowa residents who are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants or other financial aid covering full tuition. You must have completed 12 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at EICC and registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours.
Funding is very limited; file your FAFSA by March 1.
Work-Study
Work-study is a federally-funded program that provides eligible students the opportunity to earn money while gaining valuable work experience. Hours can be flexible to fit around your class schedule.
You can find a list of work-study positions for your campus or local not-for-profit
organizations at eicc.edu/workstudy.
File your FAFSA and complete a Work-Study Application.
Financial Aid Office
Contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend. If you're not sure, you may contact any office.