Iowa National Guard Professional Qualification Scholarship
Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid, with the Iowa Adjutant General
Up to $5,000 a year (2026-27) for Iowa National Guard members to earn certificates and credentials that federal aid doesn't cover.
- How much
- Up to $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester), 2026-27
- Who qualifies
- Iowa Army or Air National Guard member
- Iowa resident; Guard member in good standing; non-Title IV certificate/credential program at an eligible Iowa college.
- For trade school students, adults going back to school
- 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
- When to apply
- Open now · due December 1, 2026 Per-term deadlines each year: fall July 1, spring Dec 1, summer April 1.
- How to apply
- File the Iowa Financial Aid Application by the term deadline (fall July 1, spring Dec 1, summer April 1)
- FAFSA not required for this one
- What you'll need
- state application + membership
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (educate.iowa.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
For Iowa National Guard members in good standing pursuing a certificate or other competency-based credential not eligible for federal Title IV aid at an eligible Iowa college or university. Covers actual charges for the course, books and any board-certified test, up to $2,500 per semester / $5,000 per year (2026-27). Students who don't pass the credential must return the funds (only the test portion if they pass the course but not the test).
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.