future ready iowa - Last-Dollar Scholarship

free tuition & Fees for qualifying programs

The Future-Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship was implemented to help support the State of Iowa's goal to have 70 percent of Iowans in the workforce having education or training beyond high school by 2025.

This goal will help provide Iowan's with many great career opportunities, and employers will have the skilled workforce they need to grow and innovate.

The Last-Dollar Scholarship Program helps students cover expenses related to attending college. As the name suggests, this scholarship opportunity may be awarded to qualifying students to close the gap between financial aid awards and the costs associated with attending college.

Who is eligible for the Last-Dollar Scholarship Program?

Students who are Iowa residents and plan to enroll at Iowa Lakes Community College in one of the following programs may be eligible for the Last-Dollar Scholarship Program.

Agriculture Production Technology - Emmetsburg Campus

Aviation & Airport Management - Estherville Campus

Business Administration & Management - All Campuses

Computer Programming - Estherville Campus

Construction Technology - Emmetsburg Campus

Digital, Social, & Broadcast Productions - Estherville Campus

Electrical Technology - Estherville Campus

Environmental Studies - Estherville Campus

Farm Equipment & Diesel Technology - Emmetsburg Campus

Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) - Estherville Campus

Hotel & Restaurant Management - Emmetsburg Campus

Nursing

  • Licensed Practical Nurse (PN)  - Emmetsburg Campus
  • Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) - Emmetsburg Campus

Surgical Technology - Spencer Campus

Veterinary Technician - Emmetsburg Campus

Welding Technology - Emmetsburg Campus

Wind Energy & Turbine Technology - Estherville Campus 

How do I receive this scholarship?

The Last-Dollar Scholarship is awarded to students who meet the following criteria:

Recent High School Graduate

  • Must complete a FAFSA by July 1
  • Must be an Iowa resident
  • Must have graduated from high school the prior semester (not including summer)
  • Must be enrolled in an approved program of study
  • Must have a full-time enrollment status
  • Must be enrolled in credits required for the program totaling at least 12 credits a semester
  • Must meet Iowa Lakes Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP)
  • To continue to receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship, the student must maintain a continuous full-time status (12 credits required for the program) and continue to meet SAP.
  • Summer term is not a required term of enrollment.
  • The minimum award is $250 per semester or $500 per year.
  • Award is calculated by:
  • Total tuition and fees (mandatory for all students) – Federal Grants (Pell Grant, FSEOG) – State of Iowa Grants (Iowa Vocational Grant, Kibbie Grant) = Last-Dollar Scholarship. If a negative number or less than $250, then the student receives the $250 for that semester. Otherwise, the student receives that amount as their Last-Dollar Scholarship.
  • Can be enrolled ½ time the final semester to complete the degree

Adult Learner:

  • Must complete a FAFSA by July 1
  • Must be an Iowa resident
  • Must be enrolled in an approved program of study
  • Cannot have received the high school graduate Last-Dollar Scholarship
  • Must be 20 years of age or older by July 1
  • Must be enrolled at least ½ time (6 credits) that are required for the program
  • Must meet Iowa Lakes Community College’s Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP)
  • To continue to receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship, the student must maintain a continuous ½ time status (6 credits required for the program) and continue to meet SAP.
  • Summer term is not a required term of enrollment.
  • The minimum award is $250 per semester or $500 per year.
  • Award is calculated by:
  • Total tuition and fees (mandatory for all students) – Federal Grants (Pell Grant, FSEOG) – State of Iowa Grants (Iowa Vocational Grant, Kibbie Grant) = Last-Dollar Scholarship. If a negative number or less than $250, then the student receives the $250 for that semester. Otherwise, the student receives that amount as their Last-Dollar Scholarship.
When will these awards be available?

The Last-Dollar Scholarship program will be available for awarding to students registered to attend starting in the fall of 2021.