Iowa Student Grants for College
Fund Your Education with Free Grant Money
Preparing for college in itself can be a difficult task. The top priority for most of the college bond is how to pay for it. While a first choice of many students is to apply for a student loan, the main drawback is that the money has to be paid back at some point.
Another viable option is a grant. Grants have a major advantage of loans. They do not have to be paid back. Many organizations offer grants. The application process and rules will vary, depending on the grant.
The state of Iowa has a number of grant options of college students who qualify.
Tips on Grant Applications
- Most Iowa college grants can be applied for directly online, but there are some tips to keep in mind as you begin the process of applying for grants.
- Apply early since there is often a waiting period before applicants get a response with some grants due to the high number of applicants.
- Complete the application offline and import it when filling it out online because most grant websites do not save what you've done, so if you do not complete the grant application you will have to start over again.
- Apply for several grants. Realistically you know you won't need them all, but it is also realistic that you won't qualify or get them all. It is best to have multiple options.
- Send a letter of inquiry. If you are not sure if you qualify for a grant, you can send a letter of inquiry to see if you qualify before going through the actual application process.
- Record the tracking number. Once you complete a grant application you will receive confirmation that will include a tracking number. Record this number so you can use it for reference to check the status of your grant application or use if you have questions.
- Approximately 31% of state grant funds go to students with total family incomes under $20,000
- Approximately 47% of state grant funds go to students with total family incomes from $20,000 to $50,000
- Approximately 22% of state grant funds go to students with total family incomes in excess of $50,000
Applying For An Iowa College Grant
There is no fee to apply to the Iowa State Grant Program. Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for a state grant. The FAFSA is used to determine the expected financial contributions of the student and family (if applicable). This form is also used to apply for a Federal Pell Grant and other financial aid from various institutions. In order to receive a state grant for a particular term the FAFSA needs to be submitted (to the federal processing center) within 30 days of the start date of the school's term.Iowa's Grant Notification Storefront and Electronic Grant Management System
This is the state's online source listing all current available grants in the state of Iowa. There is no requirement to register to access this website.Eligible Institutions In Iowa
Eligible institutions in the state of Iowa include state universities, the University of Iowa, public technical and community colleges, schools of nursing and other health-related professions, private career institutions and private colleges.
The financial aid office of the particular institution you plan to attend will have specific grant details and deadlines. Iowa state grants are not permitted to be used at out-of-state institutions, but some schools have tuition reciprocity agreements with other states to help in reducing student's eduction expenses. Often the basic requirement is that the student be from Iowa.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be graduates of a secondary school (high school) or the equivalent or be 17 years of age.
- Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduates for a minimum of three credits at one of Iowa's eligible schools.
- Students in default on an existing student loan or more than 30 days behind on child support payments via a public agency are not eligible for a state grant unless an accepted payment plan has been established.
- Students are permitted to receive state grants for up to four consecutive full-time quarters or up to three consecutive semesters per single fiscal year.
- Students who have withdrawn due to active military service or a major medical illness (under a physician's care) are given an extension of the eligibility term.
Enrollment Requirements
Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student (at least 15 credits a term) to receive the full grant amount Applicants who are less than full-time will have their price of attendance pro-rated based upon the actual number of credits Student/parent contribution used in the grant award formula is not reduced if a student takes less than full time credits (i.e. a student eligible for a grant at 15 credits may not be eligible if taking less than full-time credits)Iowa College Grants
Iowa Foster Child Grants
These grants award $2,000 to $4,200 per year to a certain number (it will vary by year) of freshmen undergraduate students who attend an eligible Iowa college or institution.Iowa Grants
These grants award $100 to $1,000 per year to a certain number of freshmen undergraduate students who attend an eligible Iowa college or institution.Iowa Tuition Grant Program
This program awards $100 to $4,000 in grant money per year to a certain number of freshmen undergraduate students who attend an eligible Iowa college or institution.Iowa Vocational Technical Tuition Grant Program
This program awards $150 to $650 in grant money per year to a certain number of freshmen and sophomore undergraduate students who attend an eligible Iowa college or institution.All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant
This grant has a maximum annual award of $7,330 and is open to students between ages 17 and 24 who age-out of the Iowa foster care system or age-out of an Iowa state training school or who were adopted after age 16.Education & Training Voucher (ETV) Program
This federally funded grant has a maximum annual award of $5,000 and is available for students from ages 16 to 23 who age-out of state subsidized guardianship or who were adopted after age 16.Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grants (NGEAP)
The grant, with a maximum annual award equaling 80% of the average regent fees and tuition*, is available to members of the Iowa National Guard attending eligible colleges and universities in Iowa. * The average tuition a full-time student at Iowa Regent Universities is currently $7,141, but will vary by school year.Iowa Barber and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences Tuition Grant
This grant, with a maximum annual award of $1,200, is for Iowa residents who attend certain cosmetology and barber colleges in Iowa. Priority is based on greatest financial need.Iowa Grant
This grant, with a maximum annual award of $1,000, is available for Iowa students who attend Regent Universities, universities, independent and community colleges throughout the state of Iowa. Priority is based on greatest financial need. The Iowa grant is specifically set up for non-traditional students.
This includes adults and senior citizens returning to college. Low income status must be demonstrated. Applicants can apply online at iagrants.com or through the financial aid office of the school they plan to attend.
Iowa Tuition Grant
This grant, with a maximum annual award up to $4,000 (per academic year) for not-for-profit universities and colleges and a maximum annual award of $1,560 for proprietary universities and colleges, is available to Iowa residents who are enrolled in undergraduate programs at one of the eligible private colleges or universities in Iowa. Priority is based on greatest financial need.
Iowa Tuition Grants are available for Iowa independent colleges for students who demonstrate financial need with a completed FAFSA.
Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant
This grant, with a maximum annual award of $1,200, is available to Iowa residents who are enrolled in vocational/technical or career-option programs at Iowa community colleges.
Additional awards are available for disadvantaged students seeking professional or technical training instead of a full-degree program. Awards for this type of grant are $650 for each academic year. Go to FastWeb.com for more information and details on how to apply.
Iowa NASA EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) Grant
This grant is administered via the Space Grant office and is applicable to Iowa students who study specific fields related to space sciences (astronomy, aeronautics, etc.) The amount varies. To apply contact: Ramanathan Sugumaran c/o Iowa Space Grant Consortium Iowa NASA EPSCoR or call (319) 273-3816Governor Terry Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship
Grants are offered up to $1,000 as long as the requirements are met. You must be a high school senior with involvement in the Iowa State Fair. Small gifts (cash awards) are awarded to seniors with high ranking ACT scores planning to attend a state college to pursue a degree. Awards are $400 for qualified candidates.
Applicants can apply online or through their school. Additional grants are available to eligible Iowa students (based on financial need and other specific requirements from:
- Iowa Nurses Association Foundation
- Iowa Department of Education
- Iowa Health Care Association Foundation
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Nutrition, Health and Transportation Services
- Iowa Department of Human Services
Federal Grants Available To Iowa Students
Pell Grant
This grant, with a maximum annual award of $5,550, is available to United States citizens in any state who demonstrate financial need. Financial need is based on the assessment determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
This grant, with a maximum annual award of $4,000, is available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and are eligible for the Pell Grant receive priority. Financial need is based on the assessment determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Educational Grant (TEACH)
This grant, with a maximum annual award of $4,000, is available to post-baccalaureate, graduate and undergraduate students who agree to become full-time teachers in high-need fields at private or public schools serving students from low-income families.Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This grant, with awards up to $4,000, supplements the Pell Grant and is awarded to eligible students with the greatest financial need.Academic Competitiveness Grant
This grant, with a maximum award of $750 for freshman year and upwards of $1,300 for second year, acts to supplement the Pell Grant and is based on academic performance and financial need.National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
This grant, with awards up to $4,000, acts to supplement the Pell Grant and is applicable for third and fourth year undergraduates who major in specific fields. Those who pursue degrees in computer sciences, physical or life sciences, technology, mathematics, engineering or a high-demand foreign language (i.e. Arabic) may be eligible for this grant.Access to Retain Talent Grant
This supplement to the Pell Grant provides up to $4000 each year for third and fourth year undergraduates majoring in certain fields.
If you are pursuing a degree in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering, or a high-demand foreign language (such as Arabic), you may be eligible for a SMART grant.
For information on all of the above grants contact the financial aid office at the institution you will be attending or write to Iowa College Student Aid Commission 603 E. 12th Street, FL 5th Des Moines, IA 50319 or call (877) 272-4456.
Iowa Grant Money Amounts
While specific grant awards will vary by school year, the current range is approximately $6,174 for a public two-year college to $9,059 for a private four-year college. The average award for the last school year was nearly $1,700, with the minimum award amount at $100 a year.How a Grant Award is Determined
Grant awards are based on the difference between the expected amount students and their families can contribute towards the price of their education along with the actual cost of attending a particular university or college. All applicants are required to:- Contribute a minimum of 48.2 percent to the price of attendance from earnings, savings, loans or additional assistance from school or private sources.
- Dependent students meet the additional 51.8 percent cost of attendance from contributions by parents determined by FAFSA and Federal Pell Grant and Iowa grant awards.
- Independent students meet the additional 51.8 percent cost of attendance from contributions by the student's income and assets (based on federal need analysis) and a combination of Pell Grant and Iowa grant awards.
- FNA (Federal need analysis) parent contribution multiplied by 111.5%
- FNA expected family contribution multiplied by 81.6% (independent student w/o dependents)
- FNA expected family contribution multiplied by 103.2% (independent student w/ dependents)
State Grant Program Price Analysis
The total price the Iowa grant program attending a two or four year university or college is broken down as follows:- Tuition and related fees charged to each individual student (tuition maximum is set by the state legislature)
- Standard allowance set by the Iowa legislature applies to room and board, supplies and books and related miscellaneous expenses
State University Example
- Total price of attendance (tuition, fees, living, misc. allowance): $13,895
- Expected student contribution: 48.2%
- Student, parents, federal, state grants: 51.8%
Student's Family Not Expected To Contribute (based on FAFSA)
- Student: $6,667
- Parent: $0
- Pell: $5,550
- State Grant: $1,648
- Total: $13,895
Student's Family Expected TO Contribute (based on FAFSA)
- Student: $6,697
- Parents: $1,152
- Pell: $4,600
- State Grant: $1,446
- Total: $13,895
Private College Example
- Total price of attendance (tuition, fees, living, misc. allowance): $17,488
- Expected student contribution: 48.2%
- Student, parents, federal, state grants: 51.8%
Student's Family Not Expected To Contribute (based on FAFSA)
- Student: $8,429
- Parent: $0
- Pell: $5,550
- State Grant: $3,509
- Total: $17,488
Student's Family Expected TO Contribute (based on FAFSA)
- Student: $8,429
- Parents: $1,152
- Pell: $4,600
- State Grant: $3,307
- Total: $17,488
Shared Responsibility
The responsibility of paying a student's education-related expenses are divided as follows:- Students
- Parents
- State and federal government
