Last Dollar Scholarship

Earn Your Degree with Tuition Assistance 

Are you an Iowa resident looking for a path to a high-demand career without the burden of tuition costs? The Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship could be your answer! This exciting program is designed to cover tuition and institution-wide fees for eligible Iowa residents enrolled in programs that lead to high-demand jobs.

If other state and federal grants and scholarships don't fully cover your tuition for an approved postsecondary diploma or associate in applied science degree, the Last-Dollar Scholarship will bridge the gap, potentially making your education completely tuition-free.

Am I Eligible for the Last-Dollar Scholarship?

To qualify for the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship, you must meet the following ongoing eligibility requirements:

• Be an Iowa resident.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The deadline for 2026 – 2027 is July 1, 2026.
• Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) at or below $20,000
  • *According to FAFSA, 2026-2027 year eligibility for SAI (student aid index) is below $20,000.
• Meet and register for courses with an advisor each term.
• Enroll in at least 6 credit hours each fall and spring semester until you've completed your program.
  • Summer term courses: If summer awarding is approved by Iowa College Aid and you enroll in summer term courses, you must be enrolled in 6 credit hours.
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress each term.
• Continuously receive a Last-Dollar Scholarship disbursement each fall and spring semester.

Students will be notified via their Iowa Valley email once their Last-Dollar Scholarship award is available and eligibility is confirmed. For the full list of ongoing requirements, please refer to the Iowa College Aid website.

Qualifying Programs for 2026-2027

The Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship supports programs that lead to in-demand careers in Iowa. Here are some of the qualifying programs available at Marshalltown Community College (MCC), Ellsworth Community College (ECC), and Iowa Valley Grinnell (IVG) for the 2026-27 academic year:

MCC	ECC
Advanced Manufacturing Technology	Ag Science Practitioner
Associate Degree Nursing	Ag Science Certificate
Automotive Technology (IVG)	Animal Science
Business Administration	Associate Degree Nursing
Computer Networking Management & Technology	Business Administration
Construction Technology & Practitioner	Equine Management
Dental Assisting	Equine Science
Electro-Mechanical Systems Technologist	Farm Management
Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Diploma	Precision Agriculture
Machine Tool Technology (1- & 2-year)	Practical Nursing
Natural Gas Technician	Swine Management
Powerline Technician	Welding
Practical Nursing	--
Welding	--

How the Last-Dollar Scholarship is Calculated

The Last-Dollar Scholarship aims to cover your remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other federal and/or state grants and scholarships have been applied.

• 2026-2027 Max Last-Dollar Scholarship: Up to $236 per credit hour multiplied by the total number of credit hours per term.
• If your other aid covers most costs, the Last-Dollar Scholarship will fill the gap.
• If your calculated Last-Dollar Scholarship award amount is negative (meaning other aid covers more than tuition/fees), you may still receive a minimum of $250 per term for full-time enrollment.

Please Note: Each student's eligibility and award amount are determined specifically for their situation, so awards may vary even for the same enrollment period.

Costs Not Covered by the Last-Dollar Scholarship

While the Last-Dollar Scholarship is incredibly beneficial, it's important to be aware of costs it does not cover, which may result in out-of-pocket expenses:

• Books: These are your ACCESS charges.
• Course fees: Some specific courses may have additional fees.
• Tuition for certain coursework: This includes repeated coursework, developmental coursework, or coursework not required for your current approved program.
• Additional program costs: Some programs may have extra expenses for items like tools, equipment, supplies, uniforms, exam fees, or background screenings. Please speak with your academic advisor for details specific to your program.