Deadline for students to receive Last-Dollar Scholarship funds is Aug. 1
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 26, 2019)-Kirkwood Community College has notified nearly 500 students their tuition is paid for as a result of the new Future-Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship program. The last day for fall 2019 students to qualify for the scholarship is August 1.
The Last-Dollar Scholarship, signed into effect by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds earlier this year, is intended to cover tuition for students in 29 of Kirkwood’s programs that lead to high-demand careers in Iowa. Students studying certain fields leading to jobs in business, healthcare, industrial technology, and agricultural sciences are eligible. If other state and federal programs do not cover the entire cost of tuition for a postsecondary diploma or associate degree, the Last-Dollar Scholarship will fill 100 percent of the gap.
According to Kirkwood Associate Director of Marketing Justin Hoehn, the news of a free college education has made students very excited.
“Students have been thrilled to say the least,” said Hoehn. “I’ve heard stories from our staff of students nearly breaking down in tears at the news that they will owe $0 for tuition. Another student couldn’t wait to get started in class once she heard that she qualified. The Last-Dollar Scholarship is an amazing, tuition-free opportunity for students to study an in-demand field and begin careers in areas of need for our regional workforce. It’s really a win-win for everybody.”
To be eligible, new high school graduates must enroll full-time. Adult learners may enroll full- or part-time. All students must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), attend orientation, meet with an advisor, remain continuously enrolled, and make satisfactory academic progress. Students can receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship for up to five full-time semesters or eight part-time semesters. Qualified students will need to reapply each year.
Kirkwood plans to award more Last-Dollar Scholarships before the start of the 2019-2020 academic year. According to Hoehn, it’s crucial for anyone interested in taking advantage of the program to act quickly.
“If anyone’s been thinking about going to college, and want to study one of these in-demand careers, the time is now,” said Hoehn. “They could get a tuition-free college degree if they meet the requirements. Their first step is to apply to Kirkwood and fill out the FAFSA by August 1 deadline. After that, it will be too late for this fall.”
For more information on the Last-Dollar Scholarship, go to www.kirkwood.edu/lastdollarscholarship.