Due to a state change, current Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) students and those beginning classes next spring can still qualify for Iowa’s Last-Dollar Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Students who haven’t yet completed the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are encouraged to do so now to take advantage of this opportunity. If awarded, any outside grants and scholarships students receive will be applied to their tuition first, and the program will cover the remaining balance.
That means students can attend EICC and earn a certificate, diploma, or degree without worrying about tuition bills. To qualify, EICC students must file the 2024-25 Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) by Dec. 31 and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 20,000 or less.
They also must also enroll in a program that addresses Iowa worker shortages and supports the state’s growth, such as business, welding, and cybersecurity. EICC has more than 30 career and technical education programs that qualify.
Previously, the state required students to file the FAFSA by July 15 to qualify for the scholarship. “Extending the deadline to Dec. 31 opens eligibility to students who are starting EICC classes in spring 2025, as well as current students who haven’t yet filed their FAFSA,” said EICC’s Financial Aid Director Jane Haugland. “Students should file their FAFSA right away—they may qualify.”
