Bills › 91st General Assembly
Establishing the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program
Sponsored by the House Education Committee
Proposed by the Department of Public Defense · their explanation · all agency proposals
Topics:Higher educationVeterans & military
Same legislation: HSB 3
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 14, 2025
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 14, 2025
- Done: House committeeJanuary 21, 2025
- Done: Passes the HouseJanuary 30, 202599–0
- Done: Senate committeeMarch 31, 2025
- Done: Passes the SenateApril 22, 202546–0
- Done: To the GovernorMay 2, 2025
- Done: Signed into lawMay 2, 2025
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Members of the Iowa National Guard can receive scholarships to pay for certain certificates and professional credentials. These funds can be used at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private schools. The Adjutant General will create a list of approved programs and confirm that students are making academic progress to receive the money.1
Read the official explanation
This bill establishes the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program within the college student aid commission. The program provides scholarships to members of the Iowa national guard who are participating in an educational program leading to a credential that is approved by the adjutant general and offered by a community college, an institution of higher learning under the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution. The bill requires the adjutant general to publish and maintain a list of approved educational programs. The bill defines “credential” to mean a postsecondary certificate or other competency-based credential that is not authorized for federal student aid, but does not include an associate degree or any degree beyond an associate degree. The bill establishes eligibility criteria for the program. The bill provides that scholarship awards paid pursuant to the program shall not exceed the total cost charged by the institution attended by the national guard member for the educational program. The bill provides that the eligibility of applicants and scholarship award amounts to be paid shall be certified by the adjutant general to the college student aid commission, and all amounts that are or become due to a community college, accredited private institution, or institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents under the program shall be paid to the college or institution by the college student aid commission upon receipt of certification by the president or governing board of the educational institution as to accuracy of charges made, and as to the attendance and academic progress of the individual at the educational institution.210, which remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year for which the funds were appropriated in the following fiscal year for purposes of the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 10, 2025. On February 19, 2025 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $152,000 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill creates a scholarship program for members of the Iowa National Guard to earn approved certificates or credentials at Iowa colleges and universities. The College Student Aid Commission is estimated to spend $152,000 in fiscal year 2026, which includes $116,000 for one-time programming, $11,000 for system maintenance, and $25,000 for staff administration. Ongoing annual costs are estimated at $37,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $37,000 for fiscal year 2028, though the total number and cost of scholarships issued are unknown.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 117 creates a new scholarship for members of the Iowa National Guard within the College Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and establishes eligibility criteria. The Program provides scholarships to members of the Iowa National Guard who are participating in an educational program leading to a credential that is approved by the Adjutant General and offered by Iowa community colleges, Iowa Regents universities, and Iowa private colleges and universities.
The Bill requires the Adjutant General to publish and maintain a list of approved educational programs. “Credential” is defined in the Bill as a postsecondary certificate or other competency-based credential that is not authorized for federal student aid, but does not include an associate degree or any degree beyond an associate degree.
The Bill authorizes the Adjutant General to expend funds appropriated to this Scholarship Program and restricts the individual scholarship awards from exceeding the total cost charged by the institution attended by the awardee. The Adjutant General is required to certify the eligibility of applicants and awards paid to CSAC, and all amounts due to the educational institution will be paid directly by the CSAC to that institution. The Bill authorizes the Adjutant General to expend unencumbered and unobligated funds at the close of the fiscal year from the National Guard Service Scholarship Program for the Scholarship Program established in the Bill.
The Bill requires the CSAC to adopt administrative rules for the new Program.
Background
The National Guard Service Scholarship Program was created in 1944 under Iowa Code section 256.210. The statutory maximum is established annually by the Iowa Adjutant General. The maximum amount for the 2023-2024 academic year was approximately $8,800, or the tuition charged to the recipient, whichever was lower. The following are criteria for this Program:
- Must be an Iowa resident and a member of the Iowa Army or Air National Guard for each term that benefits are received.
- Must satisfactorily complete required Guard training and maintain satisfactory performance of required Guard duty.
- Must be pursuing a certificate or undergraduate degree at an eligible Iowa college or university and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for all nonrepayable State and federal financial aid for which the National Guard member is eligible.
- Must apply to the Adjutant General of Iowa, on forms prescribed by the Adjutant General, who shall determine eligibility and whose decision is final.
Assumptions
- The Department of Education estimates initial system one-time programming costs totaling $116,000 in FY 2026, and ongoing system maintenance costs of $11,000 per year thereafter.
- The Department of Education estimates annual administrative costs of $25,000, increasing by 2.0% each year thereafter.
- The cost of degree programs is unknown.
- The number of potential applicants for this Program is unknown.
Fiscal Impact
The number and cost of new scholarships issued under HF 117 is unknown. The creation of a new Scholarship Program is estimated to require expenses totaling $152,000 in FY 2026 to the CSAC. This includes $116,000 for one-time programming costs, $11,000 in ongoing system maintenance costs, and annual staff administration costs of $25,000. Figure 1 — Estimated Costs of House File 117
Sources
- Department of Education
- Iowa National Guard
- National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program · January 29, 2025 · $152,000
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91st General Assembly