Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship
Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Iowa College Aid, with the Iowa Adjutant General
Up to $9,572 a year (2026-27) toward undergraduate tuition for Iowa Army and Air National Guard members at Iowa colleges.
- How much
- Up to $9,572 per year (2026-27) minus federal tuition assistance, not more than tuition
- Who qualifies
- Iowa Army or Air National Guard member
- Iowa resident; Guard member in good standing each term; first bachelor's (no second bachelor's); must use Federal Tuition Assistance first.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- 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 priority deadlines each year: fall July 1, spring Dec 1, summer April 1 (FAFSA + IFAA open Oct 1).
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA and the Iowa Financial Aid Application by the term priority deadline (fall July 1, spring Dec 1, summer April 1) and apply for Federal Tuition Assistance if eligible
- The Adjutant General selects recipients
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application + membership
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (educate.iowa.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
For Iowa residents serving in an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit each term, in good standing (training completed, satisfactory duty performance), pursuing a first undergraduate degree at an eligible Iowa college or university with satisfactory academic progress. Maximum set annually by the Adjutant General: for 2026-27, $9,572 (the average Regent resident tuition) minus federal tuition assistance (FTA), or the actual tuition charged minus FTA, whichever is less ($4,786 per semester). Must use all available FTA first. Lifetime cap 120 semester credit hours (130 for approved STEM majors). Active Guard Reserve members and dual-status technicians are generally ineligible except by exception.
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.