On this page...
Local College & Career Access Networks (LCANs) aim to increase college attainment using a framework known as Collective Impact. The Bureau of Iowa College Aid provides grant money to fund an LCAN Coordinator, travel, training, and other costs associated with creating the network and carrying out LCAN initiatives.
$258,000 to Boost College and Career Access
The Iowa Department of Education is funding five community partners, including new efforts in Columbus Junction and Des Moines, to help more students earn postsecondary credentials.
Since the first LCANs were formed in 2015, more than $4 million has been invested in 23 communities in Iowa to increase college and career attainment.
Each LCAN assesses the assets and needs of its community and works to fill the gaps in partnership with local colleges, school districts, area education agencies, business groups, elected officials, employers and community, and religious organizations. LCANs identify multiple community goals that focus on increasing college attainment.
Back to topNew LCAN Grant Program Applications
Back to topFY26 LCAN Grant Calendar
| Dates | Activity |
|---|---|
| Jan. 28 - March 10 | Accepting applications from new communities |
| Feb. 6 | Informational meeting for new applicants |
| March 3 - April 1 | New applicant grant review |
| April 1 | FY26 continuation and sustaining grant renewals due |
| July 1 | Start of FY26 grant contract period |
Iowa LCANs
In July 2025, the Bureau of Iowa College Aid announced its two newest LCANs with the Columbus Junction LCAN and First to Finish in Des Moines. These two LCANs join two other active LCANs and a community in Perry that has completed the four-year grant cycle and is receiving funding to sustain its efforts.
LCAN Grant Series
Iowa College Aid offers a four-year series of grants to Iowa communities to build Local College & Career Access Networks using the Collective Impact framework. The LCAN grant series is intended as seed funding for locally driven collaborative measures. Iowa College Aid also welcomes applications from initiatives that are focused on serving a specific population within Iowa. Sustainability of LCANs and their initiatives should be considered beginning in the exploratory phase of the grant process and will be addressed throughout the grant series. View Grants-at-a-Glance 3.0 for a high-level view of what the grant funds; funding amounts and match requirements by year; grant deliverables for each year, and a summary of how each year progresses, building on the previous year.
For more information on Collective Impact or the LCAN Grant series, contact Anne Thomas or Megan Sibbel.
Back to topKey Partners
The Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Iowa College Aid works with communities across the state to address workforce needs and increase educational attainment through the Local College & Career Access Network (LCAN) grant series. Iowa College Aid provides consultation and funding to select Iowa networks, using the Collective Impact framework to increase college attainment at the local and statewide level.
Back to top