Iowa College Aid Board of Commissioners

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Our Mission

We advocate for and support Iowans as they explore, finance, and complete educational opportunities beyond high school to increase family and community success.

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Our Motto

Because college changes everything.

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Our Vision

All Iowans can achieve an education beyond high school. 

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Iowa College Aid Administers

  • 15 scholarship, grant and loan forgiveness programs totaling nearly $80 million annually
  • 6 community- and school-based initiatives to build a college-going culture throughout the state
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Our Values

  • Put students first
  • Respect and honor the dignity of each other and all those we serve
  • Uphold the public trust
  • Create and nurture internal and external partnerships that benefit our customers
  • Provide services to our customers that exceed expectations and address their changing needs
  • Develop and empower a motivated, compassionate, professional and accountable team
  • Utilize evidence-based decision-making
  • Strive to improve internal and external communication and increase transparency
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What We Do

We help make college possible for all Iowans by...

  • Working to remove barriers so that any Iowan can achieve an education
  • Providing Iowans with tools and information to plan, prepare and complete education after high school
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How We Do It

We provide programs and resources to help Iowans succeed by...

  • Making more than 25,000 financial aid awards each year to students from all 99 Iowa counties
  • Engaging schools and communities to increase college access
  • Building statewide support of initiatives that help Iowans stay in the education pipeline through degree or credential completion, preparing them for tomorrow’s careers
  • Serving as a trusted resource of postsecondary education data for state policymakers
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Why We Do It

We help Iowans advance and succeed, which helps Iowa grow.

  • A college degree or credential means higher earnings and improved career opportunities.
  • An educated workforce grows the economies of our communities and our state.
  • Iowa’s continued growth comes from strengthening our talent pipelines.
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Strategic Goals

  1. Be a trusted source of information for higher education stakeholders (such as policymakers, high school and college administrators, media and researchers) on postsecondary education access, affordability, success and completion.
  2. Align programs and services with the postsecondary needs of Iowa residents and key stakeholders.
  3. Increase and align resources to support agency programs and services.
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History

Created in 1963 by the Iowa General Assembly, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) has served as the State of Iowa’s student financial aid agency for 60 years. Originally established to implement federal assistance for construction of academic facilities, the agency has evolved in its responsibilities and has broadened its scope to help make college possible for all Iowans.

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Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes

2024

Jan. 10, 2025

  • Meeting agenda
  • Commission Book

Members of the public may join remotely through video conferencing or telephone.

Following is the public URL and telephone numbers to join the meeting:

https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/96428340536?pwd=c0k4dW5US3hoVXgvV2NhUjBnZGtUdz09

A Zoom account is required to join the meeting. Sign up is free at https://zoom.us.

To join by phone, dial:  US: +1 651 372 8299 or  +1 312 626 6799

Meeting ID: 964 2834 0536        Passcode: 261898

 

Nov. 1, 2024

Sept. 6, 2024

July 12, 2024

May 17, 2024

March 22, 2024

March 1, 2024

 

2023

Nov. 17, 2023

Sept. 15, 2023

July 21, 2023

May 12, 2023

March 17, 2023

Jan. 20, 2023

2022

Nov. 18, 2022

Sept. 16, 2022

July 22, 2022

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Commissioners

Iowa College Aid is governed by a board of commissioners.  They are selected to represent each sector of Iowa higher education as well as education professionals, students, families, lawmakers, and the general public.

Mr. David Barker    
Regent, State Board of Regents    
Represents State Board of Regents

Rep. Molly Buck    
Represents Iowa House**

Rep. Taylor Collins    
Represents Iowa House**

Mr. Timothy Fitzgibbon    
Represents general public*

Ms. Rylie Maliszewski    
Represents Iowa college students*

Dr. Kathleen Mulholland     
Represents general public*

Dr. Terry Murrell    
President, Western Iowa Tech    
Represents community colleges*

Dr. Mark Putnam    
President, Central College    
Represents private colleges and universities*

Sen. Herman Quirmbach    
Represents Iowa Senate**

Mr. Doug Shull, Vice Chair    
Represents general public*

Ms. Barbara Sloniker    
Represents parents of Iowa students*

Ms. McKenzie Snow    
Director, Iowa Department of Education    
Represents Iowa Department of Education

Ms. Emily Stork, Chair    
Represents general public*

Sen. Jeff Taylor
Represents Iowa Senate**

*Appointed by the Governor    
**Ex officio (nonvoting)    
David Ford
Bureau Chief and Executive Director, Iowa College Aid

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