Iowa National Guard Benefits

The Iowa National Guard provides annual awards to Iowa National Guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities. The Iowa Adjutant General determines eligibility and award amounts annually.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Iowa resident
  • Member of an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit for each term the member receives benefits
  • Satisfactorily complete required Guard training
  • Maintain satisfactory performance of Guard duty

Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship

  • Pursue an undergraduate degree at an eligible Iowa college or university (students with bachelor’s degrees are not eligible to pursue a second bachelor degree) and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • A qualified individual cannot receive an Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship for more than 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent of undergraduate study. Individuals enrolled in an approved undergraduate STEM major may receive up to 130 semester credit hours or the equivalent.
  • The maximum award is established annually by the Iowa Adjutant General. The maximum award for the 2026-2027 academic year has been set at $9,572 minus federal tuition assistance or the tuition rate charged to the individual minus federal tuition assistance, whichever is less.
  • Applicants must file a FAFSA and IFAA on or before the required deadline.
  • Utilize all available Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). Applicants submitting proof of FTA after the calendar deadline can do so by sending DA Form 7792-SG (TA Voucher) to IA.Ed.eligibility@Army.mil.

Iowa National Guard STEM Master’s Scholarship

  • Pursue an eligible STEM master’s degree at an eligible Iowa college or university and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
  • A qualified individual cannot receive an Iowa National Guard STEM Master’s Scholarship for more than 36 semester credit hours or the equivalent. 
  • The maximum award is established annually by the Iowa Adjutant General. The maximum award for the 2026-2027 academic year has been set at $11,804 minus federal tuition assistance or the tuition rate charged to the individual minus federal tuition assistance, whichever is less. The STEM master’s program is offered based on available funding.
  • Applicants must file a FAFSA and IFAA on or before the required deadline.
  • Utilize all available Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). Applicants submitting proof of FTA after the calendar deadline can do so by sending DA Form 7792-SG (TA Voucher) to IA.Ed.eligibility@Army.mil.

Iowa National Guard Professional Qualification Scholarship

  • Pursue a certificate or other competency-based credential that is not authorized for federal title IV financial aid at an eligible Iowa college or university.
  • The maximum award is established annually by the Iowa Adjutant General. The maximum award for the 2026-2027 academic year has been set at $5,000/year or $2,500/semester.
  • Applicants must file an IFAA on or before the required deadline.

Required Applications

FAFSA

Federal Tuition Assistance

IFAA

Important Dates

Oct. 1: Iowa Financial Aid Application and FAFSA will be available
July 1: Iowa Financial Aid Application and FAFSA fall priority deadline
Dec. 1: Iowa Financial Aid Application and FAFSA spring priority deadline
April 1: Iowa Financial Aid Application and FAFSA summer priority deadline

The application window for Federal Tuition Assistance opens 60 days prior to the start of the term and closes 7 days prior to the start of the term.

Questions?

Contact the State Financial Aid Programs team: