Grants/Work Study

Grants


Grant funds do not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Find out why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant .

Students must complete a FAFSA  to qualify for all grants and college work-study listed below. We recommend students complete the FAFSA by March 1.

If an Iowa Financial Aid application  is required, it is specified in the description below.

Federal Pell Grant


The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program available to undergraduate students during the academic year. A student can receive up to 150% of their scheduled Pell award within the academic year which means a student may be able to get up to a full-time award in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. More information about the Year Round Pell Grant.

Once a student has obtained a bachelor's degree, they are no longer eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

A student can receive Federal Pell grant funds for a maximum of 6 years (12 full-time semesters) according to the lifetime limits set by federal law.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)


The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity (SEOG) provides funds for students with exceptional financial need. Preference is given to Pell eligible students who have the lowest family contributions.

Once a student has obtained a bachelor's degree, they are no longer eligible for the Federal SEOG Grant.

Funding is limited so students should file the FAFSA as early as possible.

Iowa Vocational/Technical Tuition Grant


The Iowa Vocational/Technical Tuition Grant provides awards to residents of Iowa who are enrolled in post-secondary vocational/technical programs at Iowa Community Colleges and who show financial need for assistance.

Pre-vocational/technical majors do not qualify for the Iowa Vocational/Technical Tuition Grant. Students must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in an eligible vocational program and taking required core coursework to be eligible. This grant is not available for the summer semester.

Students must complete the FAFSA and it must be received by the processing center by the July 1 deadline to qualify.

Kibbie Grant


The Kibbie Grant, also called the Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant, is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific programs at Iowa community colleges.

Pre-vocational/technical majors do not qualify for the Iowa Vocational/Technical Tuition Grant. Students must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in an eligible vocational program and taking required core coursework to be eligible.

Students must complete the FAFSA and it must be received by the processing center by the July 1 deadline to qualify.

GEAR UP Scholarship


The GEAR UP Scholarship provides awards to students who are part of the GEAR UP Iowa statewide cohort. Students must have a high school diploma, GED, or home school diploma. Students must be under the age of 22 upon first receipt of scholarship funds and must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours to be eligible.

Iowa residents must only complete the FAFSA.

Non-Iowa residents must complete the paper GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship application. More information about the GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship.

All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship


The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship is for Iowa residents with financial need that graduated from an Iowa High School. Priority is given to students who age out of Iowa’s foster care system, age out of a State Training School, are adopted from Iowa’s foster care system after age 16, and to students who participated in GEAR UP programming. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours in a program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate to be eligible. This grant is not available for the summer semester.

To apply, students must complete a FAFSA by March 1 and the Iowa Financial Aid Application

Education Training Voucher (EVT) Grant


The Education Training Voucher Grant provides awards to Iowa residents who age out of foster care or who are adopted after age 16. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours to be eligible.

To apply, students must complete a FAFSA; by March 1 and the Iowa Financial Aid Application

Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grant (NGEAP)


The Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grant (NGEAP) provides awards to Iowa National Guard members who satisfactorily complete required Guard training and maintain satisfactory performance of Guard duty. Students must be pursuing a certificate or degree. This grant is not available for the summer semester.

To apply, students must complete a FAFSA by March 1 and the Iowa Financial Aid Application

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) Grant


The Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) Grant is awarded to Iowa residents who are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants or other financial aid covering full tuition. Students must have completed 12 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at EICC and must be registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours.

Funding is very limited, therefore priority is given to students who complete a FAFSA by March 1.

College Work-Study


The Federal College Work-Study Program provides limited part-time employment for students. In order to qualify for this program, students must demonstrate financial need.

Students who meet the eligibility requirements for the Federal College Work-Study program may be able to earn their work-study through the "America Reads/America Counts" program. Under this program, college students tutor elementary-aged students one-on-one in reading and/or math. Tutors selected for the America Reads/America Counts program will receive formal training and must complete a background screening. Students from any area of concentration may apply to become a part of this program.