Types of Financial Aid
Grants
| Federal Pell Grant |
A grant awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and who have demonstrated adequate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) | An additional campus-based grant awarded to highest-need students. These funds are limited and are awarded based on the date the FAFSA was completed. Based on availability of funds, a second awarding may occur before the beginning of the spring and summer semesters. |
Grants
| Kibbie Grant |
The Kibbie Grant, also called the Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant, is for Iowa residents enrolled in specific programs at Iowa community colleges. An application for financial aid must be received by the federal processor prior to the state deadline, and the expected family contribution must be within the parameters set by the state. Students must also be accepted into the technical portion of their program. Those eligible for the Kibbie Grant could have half their tuition paid for, for up to two years, depending on the financial need of the student. Part-time students may be eligible for prorated amounts. To view eligible programs, please visit the Kibbie Eligible Programs page. To view all eligibility requirements, please visit the state website. |
| Last-Dollar Scholarship |
The Last-Dollar Scholarship is intended to cover tuition and institution-wide fees for Iowa residents in programs that lead to high-demand jobs. 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 the gap. Students must also be accepted into the technical portion of their program. To view eligible programs, please visit the Last-Dollar Scholarship Eligible Programs page. To view all eligibility requirements, please visit the state website. |
| Iowa Vocational Technical Grant |
Grant funding available to Iowa residents in Vocational-Technical programs. An application for financial aid must be received by the federal processor prior to the state deadline, and the expected family contribution must be within the parameters set by the state. Students can receive up to five semesters of Iowa Vocational-Technical Grant. Students must also be accepted into the technical portion of their program. To view all eligibility requirements, please visit the state website. |
| GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship | The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Scholarship is a non need-based scholarship program that assists students in the 2.0 GEAR UP Iowa cohort with the cost of postsecondary education. Recipients must have been in the official 2.0 GEAR UP Iowa cohort. Awards are prorated for students enrolling less than full-time. |
| All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship | The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship Program is a statewide need-based grant program that assists high-need Iowa residents with the cost of postsecondary education. Awards are prorated for students enrolling on a less than full-time basis. |
| Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship | The Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship provides funds for eligible members of the Iowa National Guard to help with the cost of attending Iowa colleges and universities. |
| Education and Training Voucher | The Education and Training Voucher Program is a federally funded program to provide postsecondary education and training opportunities to students who are currently or who have been in foster care. Recipients must make satisfactory academic progress to receive awards. Awards are prorated for students enrolling less than full-time. |
Grants
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Linn County Adastra Scholarship Program |
Ad astra per aspera, is a Latin phrase that translates to “to the stars, through difficulty." The need-based Linn County Adastra Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to Linn County residents enrolled in credit programs at Kirkwood Community College. It is designed to help ease the financial burden and give opportunity to help people significantly improve their lives through education. This $3000 grant is pro-rated based on enrollment level. Students must complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible. Kirkwood will automatically award this grant to eligible students beginning with the 2023 spring semester. This scholarship program is provided by the Linn County Board of Supervisors through American Rescue Plan Act funding. |
| Cedar Rapids College Career Connection Grant |
The Cedar Rapids College Career Connection Grant is awarded to Cedar Rapids residents enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. This $6000 grant is reduced based on other grants and scholarships received. It is also a pro-rated award based on the student’s enrollment level. Students must complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible. Kirkwood will automatically award this grant to eligible students. |
Scholarships
Scholarships are provided by organizations and are not required to paid back. Many high schools, employers, businesses, and community centers provide scholarships. Kirkwood Community College also provides scholarships for many students.
Kirkwood’s scholarship program provides support for students at all academic and financial levels, and for all credit programs.
Kirkwood uses a scholarship-matching tool to connect Kirkwood Eagles to hundreds of internal and external scholarship opportunities! Best of all, Kirkwood students only need to complete one easy application to be considered for the hundreds of internal scholarships offered through the Kirkwood Foundation.
Work-study
Find the perfect opportunity to earn while you learn today! Our work-study program gives you the opportunity to earn money to assist with educational expenses.
Kirkwood employs over 100 students during the academic year. Join our team today!
The Work-study program is administered by the Financial Aid Office. The supervisor of each department requests a specific award amount for each student worker for the academic year, based on departmental needs and available Work-study budget. Returning students are responsible for securing their Work-study positions each year in April and early May.
If you are new to the Work-study program, you will be notified of your Work-study award via your Kirkwood email account in June. This notification will prompt you to view the current Work-study openings. If you were not initially awarded, and you interested in the Work-study program, you can inquire with the Work-study coordinator to see if you are eligible.
Contact the supervisor of the Work-study position you are interested in to set up an interview.
Work-study
Students must qualify for the Federal Work-study Program. Federal Work-study is a form of federal financial aid therefore you must complete the FAFSA form for possible eligibility. Work-study award amounts are not a guarantee of funds; it is the maximum a student is able to earn.
It is the responsibility of the supervisor and the student to monitor hours and dollars earned so the student does not become ineligible for Work-study if one of the following occur:
Students are not eligible to work if they have not submitted the forms necessary to process their financial aid award.
Work-study
Student workers will be scheduled to work approximately 5 – 10 hours per week. Work-study students may not work more than 20 hours a week during the school year. Work study students may work up to 28 hours per week during break periods and during the summer.
All students should keep in mind, once you have earned your full Work-study award, you must stop working immediately. Contact your supervisor to see if their budget will allow for an increase in the Work-study award. The supervisor will request, by email, an increase in the award to the Work-study coordinator.
All students should be given the opportunity to work their Work-study awards in the department to which they are hired. The student, together with the supervisor, should plan a work schedule that is compatible with his/her class schedule. Any request for time off, such as a weekend or a particular shift, must be approved in advance by the supervisor.
Federal regulations require verification if a student works during a scheduled class time.
Work-study
Complete all “New Employee Forms” with your Work-study supervisor before you begin working. This is only applicable for first-time Work-study students. If you are switching Work-study positions or adding a Work-study position, you only need to complete the “New Hire-Work Study” form with your supervisor.
All Work-study students must have the following forms on file with the Human Resource department before you can begin working on campus. Please complete these forms with your Work-study supervisor.
If a student fails to provide the required documentation, he/she will be removed from the work schedule and will not be allowed to work until the documentation is completed.
Perform tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
Contact your supervisor if you will be absent due to illness as early in the work day as possible. In addition, advance notice should be given when requesting a change in the work schedule or to take time off.
Continued tardiness or failure to notify your supervisor when you cannot report for work is sufficient grounds for termination.
Inform your supervisor of your class schedule and availability to work.
Keep your electronic timecard up to date.
Time sheets are filled out within the students' MyHub account and will be submitted to the supervisor on the cutoff date according to the Payroll Calendar (supplied to the student by the supervisor).
Monitor the hours you have left to work. Talk to your supervisor about increasing your Work-study award before your award runs out.
If a student falsifies a timecard information the Student Employment Coordinator is obligated to report this incident of fraud to the Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General. A federal investigation may result. Falsification of a timecard will result in immediate dismissal from the Work-study program. The student will not be eligible to work on campus the remainder of their time at Kirkwood.
Represent yourself and Kirkwood Community College in a professional manner and maintain the confidentiality of student and College records to which you may have access. Appropriate work attire is expected at all times. Speak to your supervisor for suggestions.
Work-study
A student may be terminated from their Work-study position if the student is not performing in a satisfactory manner. The supervisor should make clear to each student employee their performance and responsibility expectations. The termination process is up to the supervisor's discretion.
Immediate Dismissal: If a student has falsified records including timecards, divulged confidential information from the workplace, or is caught stealing, the student will immediately forfeit employment opportunities while at Kirkwood Community College.
If a student falsifies a timecard information the Student Employment Coordinator is obligated to report this incident of fraud to the Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General. A federal investigation may result. Falsification of a timecard will result in immediate dismissal from the Work-study program. The student will not be eligible to work on campus the remainder of their time at Kirkwood.
Loans
| Direct Subsidized Loans |
are offered to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. The fixed interest rate will depend on when the loan was disbursed. Additionally, a loan origination fee will be applied and deducted from the loan payout and this is why your amount that is sent to you is slightly less than the amount on your offer letter. |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loans |
are offered to eligible undergraduate students where eligibility is not based on financial need. The fixed interest rate depends on when the loan was disbursed. Additionally, a loan origination fee will be applied and reduced from the loan payout and this is why your amount that is sent to you is slightly less than the amount on your offer letter. |
| Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) |
This loan is made to parents of dependent students for their educational expenses. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement; however, parents can request a deferment while the student is enrolled at least half time. As a parent, you will have to log in with your FSA ID and then you can complete the PLUS Loan application. PLUS loans are in the parent's name and the repayment is the parent's responsibility. The fixed interest rate depends on when the loan was disbursed. Additionally, a loan origination fee will be applied and reduced from the loan payout and this is why your amount that is sent to you is slightly less than the amount on your offer letter. |
| More Information about Direct Loans |
Direct Loan amounts are determined by the number of earned credits at the time of awarding.
In addition, dependent students are awarded $2,000 in Unsubsidized loan, and independent students are awarded $6,000. These amounts are subject to previous borrowing limitations and the individual student’s eligibility and financial need. Students are able to accept up to their maximum awarded amount. If additional credits are earned after the award has been made, and additional loan funds are requested, the Financial Aid Office will evaluate any additional eligibility at the student’s request. In accordance with federal law, please note that first-time borrowers must be enrolled for 30 days from the start of the term, in addition to completing the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling session, before they are eligible to receive the loan funds. Also, the funds will be divided into two disbursements; the first disbursement will be issued after 30 days from the start of the term and will be credited towards tuition first with the remaining funds going to the student. The remaining payment will be issued halfway through the loan period. For example, if the loan period is for fall only, the remaining payment will be issued halfway through that term. If the loan period is for fall and spring, the remaining payment will be issued at the beginning of the spring term. Any tuition debt will be paid first with the remaining funds going to the student. If a student has completed all steps necessary to activate their loan, they can use any remaining balance at the bookstore for course materials. To help calculate student loan payments, the Department of Education has created a loan simulator. To learn more about Direct Loans, visit the federal website about Direct Loans. |