Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship
Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Covers remaining tuition and fees after other grants for Iowans in high-demand certificate, diploma and associate programs at community colleges and some private colleges.
- How much
- Remaining tuition and institution-wide fees after federal/state grants (minimum $250 per full-time semester)
- Who qualifies
- Iowa resident; recent Iowa HS/homeschool/equivalency grad OR age 20+; at least half-time (6 credits) in an eligible program; SAI at or below 30,000 (new recipients); must apply for all other grants.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For Future Ready Iowa high-demand programs students
- 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
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Open now · due June 30, 2027 FAFSA by June 30 at the end of the academic year (June 30, 2027 for 2026-27).
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (deadline June 30, 2027 for the 2026-27 year), apply for all other state and federal grants, and enroll in an eligible program
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (educate.iowa.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Last-dollar award for Iowa residents in an eligible high-demand program (certificate, diploma or associate degree) at an Iowa community college or participating accredited private college. Group 1: recent Iowa high school, homeschool or equivalency graduates; Group 2: adults age 20+ (as of July 1). Award = tuition and institution-wide mandatory fees minus all federal and state grants and scholarships; at private colleges it's capped at average community college tuition and fees ($5,490 for the prior year). Full-time students get at least $250 per semester even if the calculation is lower. Up to 8 part-time semesters or the full-time equivalent. Must enroll at least 6 credits per term, keep SAP, attend orientation and advising, file the FAFSA annually and stay continuously enrolled. New recipients need an SAI at or below 30,000. Includes college success coaching and a texting program.
More money from Iowa
- Iowa Tuition Grant (Not-for-Profit)Up to $7,500 per year (2026-27 maximum; 2027-28 amount not yet set)
- All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS)Up to $5,646 per year (2027-28); $5,486 in 2026-27; prorated for part-time
- Kibbie Grant (Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant)Up to $3,100 per year (2026-27), sliding scale by SAI
- Future Ready Iowa GrantUp to $3,000 per year (2026-27), prorated for part-time
- Iowa Workforce Grant & Incentive ProgramUp to $1,125 per semester full-time ($2,250/yr, 2026-27); plus up to $2,000 incentive payment for an Iowa high-demand job
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.