Iowa scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Iowa runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (3) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Iowa Tuition Grant (Not-for-Profit)
Up to $7,500 per year (2026-27 maximum; 2027-28 amount not yet set)Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open now · due July 1, 2027Need-based grant of up to $7,500 a year (2026-27) for Iowa residents at eligible Iowa private, not-for-profit colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS)
Up to $5,646 per year (2027-28); $5,486 in 2026-27; prorated for part-timeIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open now · due April 1, 2027Need-based award of up to $5,646 a year (2027-28) for Iowa students starting college within two years of high school, at an eligible Iowa college or university.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, or U.S. permanent resident (AIOS is narrower than other Iowa programs)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Kibbie Grant (Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant)
Up to $3,100 per year (2026-27), sliding scale by SAIIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open nowNeed-based grant of up to $3,100 a year (2026-27) for Iowa residents in high-demand career and technical programs at Iowa community colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- For designated workforce-shortage career and technical programs students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Future Ready Iowa Grant
Up to $3,000 per year (2026-27), prorated for part-timeIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open nowUp to $3,000 a year (2026-27) for Iowans 25 and older finishing a bachelor's degree in a high-demand field.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
- For Future Ready Iowa high-demand bachelor's programs students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Iowa Workforce Grant & Incentive Program
Up to $1,125 per semester full-time ($2,250/yr, 2026-27); plus up to $2,000 incentive payment for an Iowa high-demand jobIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open nowUp to $1,125 a semester (2026-27) for Iowa juniors and seniors in high-demand majors at Iowa State, Iowa or UNI, plus up to $2,000 for taking a high-demand Iowa job after graduating.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For undergrads
- For high-demand programs on the Workforce Grant list students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant
Up to $1,100 per year (2026-27; statutory max $1,200), sliding scale by SAIIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open nowNeed-based grant of up to $1,100 a year (2026-27) for Iowa residents in career and technical programs at Iowa community colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- For career and technical education students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship
Remaining tuition and institution-wide fees after federal/state grants (minimum $250 per full-time semester)Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open now · due June 30, 2027Covers remaining tuition and fees after other grants for Iowans in high-demand certificate, diploma and associate programs at community colleges and some private colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For Future Ready Iowa high-demand programs students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Gap Tuition Assistance Program
Partial or full program costs; set by each community collegeIowa Department of Education (via Iowa community colleges)
Apply any timePartial or full tuition, books and support costs for short-term, non-credit training in in-demand jobs at Iowa community colleges.
- What it takes: state application + interview
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- Who can get it: Must be eligible to work in the United States
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Robert D. Blue Scholarship
$500 to $1,000 (varies with fund earnings)Treasurer of State of Iowa (Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation)
Check dates$500 to $1,000 essay scholarship from the Iowa State Treasurer for Iowa students attending an Iowa college.
- What it takes: essay + recommendation + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Court Reporter Equipment Grant
Up to $2,000 (lifetime, reimbursement)Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Opens laterUp to $2,000 to reimburse court reporter equipment and software for students in an Iowa court reporter training program.
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- For court reporting students
- Usual timing: Annual; application opens late May, due July 31 (2026-27: May 26 - July 31, 2026).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Iowa National Guard STEM Master's Scholarship
Up to $11,804 per year (2026-27) minus federal tuition assistanceIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid, with the Iowa Adjutant General
Open now · due December 1, 2026Service scholarshipThe catch: Stay an Iowa National Guard member in good standing while you use it; any extra service or repayment terms are on the official page.
Up to $11,804 a year (2026-27) toward an eligible STEM master's degree for Iowa National Guard members at Iowa colleges.
- Who it's for: Iowa Army or Air National Guard member
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + membership
- For grad students
- For eligible STEM master's programs students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship
Up to $9,572 per year (2026-27) minus federal tuition assistance, not more than tuitionIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid, with the Iowa Adjutant General
Open now · due December 1, 2026Service scholarshipThe catch: Serve in the Iowa National Guard in good standing each term you use it; any extra service or repayment terms are on the official page.
Up to $9,572 a year (2026-27) toward undergraduate tuition for Iowa Army and Air National Guard members at Iowa colleges.
- Who it's for: Iowa Army or Air National Guard member
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Iowa Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
Up to $5,000 per yearIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open now · due December 1, 2026Up to $5,000 a year for college or training for young people who aged out of Iowa foster care or were adopted from it at 16 or older.
- Who it's for: Former Iowa foster youth (aged out at 18+, or adopted/subsidized guardianship from Iowa foster care at 16+)
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Iowa National Guard Professional Qualification Scholarship
Up to $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester), 2026-27Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid, with the Iowa Adjutant General
Open now · due December 1, 2026Service scholarshipThe catch: Stay an Iowa National Guard member in good standing, and return the funds if you don't pass the credential.
Up to $5,000 a year (2026-27) for Iowa National Guard members to earn certificates and credentials that federal aid doesn't cover.
- Who it's for: Iowa Army or Air National Guard member
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (as for federal student aid); undocumented students are not eligible for state-appropriated aid
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Advanced Dyslexia Specialist Endorsement Grant
Up to tuition and required course/program fees for the endorsementIowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Open now · due October 31, 2026Covers tuition and required fees for Iowa educators earning the K-12 Dyslexia Specialist endorsement.
- Who it's for: Educators in an approved Iowa K-12 Dyslexia Specialist endorsement program
- What it takes: state application
- For grad students, adults going back to school
- For education (dyslexia specialist endorsement) students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Children of Fallen Iowa Service Members Scholarship (Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship Fund)
Covers educational expenses (tuition, books, fees, housing, etc.); amount not statedIowa Department of Veterans Affairs
Open now · due December 31, 2026College costs for children of Iowa service members who died in active military status after Sept. 11, 2001.
- Who it's for: Child of an Iowa service member who died in active military status after 9/11/2001
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.