Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship

Recent changes have been made to the 2023-24 student eligibility criteria by the Iowa Legislature. Students that have an EFC higher than $20,000 will no longer be eligible for the Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship beginning with the 2023-24 school year starting this fall semester. New criteria is reflected below.

The Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship is an unique opportunity that pays your tuition at NICC. Scholarships for students amount to the remaining tuition and fees charged after other federal and state grant aid have been awarded. The scholarship is based on a student's financial need or Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and determined by the FAFSA. But unlike other grants, the EFC is set to a higher threshold that benefits more students and their families. It covers the difference between grant aid and tuition (the last dollar). Sample student financial situations for eligible students:

  • Student loan-only eligible students receive a full Last Dollar Scholarship.
  • Students receiving some grant aid (i.e., Pell, Kibbie, Vo-Tech), but not enough to cover full tuition, receive the Last-Dollar Scholarship to fill the gap.
  • Students receiving more grant aid than tuition/student fees cost, receive a minimum award of $250 per semester to use on other educational expenses.

NICC has awarded more than $6.1 million dollars since 2019 to over 1600 NICC students who qualified for this opportunity. To qualify you must meet the eligibility criteria required and set by the Iowa Legislature and administered by Iowa College Aid.

2023-24 Eligibility Criteria

  • Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or before July 15, 2023 (deadline is subject to change per Iowa College Aid)
  • State of Iowa Resident
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as determined by the FAFSA, $20,000 or less
  • Group 1 - Iowa High School Graduate (2021, 2022 or 2023)
  • Group 2 - Adult (age 20 by July 1, 2023)
  • Enroll in an eligible program at least half-time (6 credits or more) and maintain the continuous enrollment requirement
  • Eligible students are notified (via NICC college email) of their award once the state of Iowa approves funding for the next year, eligibility criteria are confirmed, and registration for fall 2023 classes is completed with an NICC Enrollment Advisor.

2023-24 NICC Eligible Programs

NICC offers over 39  academic programs that are eligible for the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship. These programs vary in length and may be offered in a variety of formats (face-to-face, online, blended, competency-based).

  • Certificate (less than one year)
  • Diploma (one-year program)
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree (two-year program)

Fall 2023, spring and summer 2024 semesters. Eligible programs are subject to change based on the Iowa Legislature and Iowa Department of Education.

Award amount details: 

  • Scholarship amounts are based on the calculation of the tuition and student fee cost per credit plus the college technology fee per course, minus any federal and state grant aid.
  • Program fees, textbooks, course supplies, tools and other required equipment (and other costs that may be associated with specific degree programs), are not covered by the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship.

Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship recipients are encouraged to utilize these resources provided by Iowa College Aid: