Students

Community colleges set students up for success! Students seek community colleges from a variety of backgrounds, for a number of reasons, and have unique goals. See what opportunities await Iowans at our community colleges.

Student Success

Where you live and what you do for a living are personal. Iowans get the education they need and start their careers while being in the community they call home. These students have been recognized for their academic excellence as they represent different areas of study and institutions across the state.

Meet Lisa

Her passion for helping other people find comfort led her to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism.

Iowa Valley Community College District

Grinnell, IA

Already an exemplary student, Lisa’s goal is to make other people comfortable through service with a degree in Business Administration concentrated in Hospitality and Tourism. She has demonstrated a go-getter attitude and a passion for creating inclusive environments during her time at Iowa Valley Community College by participating in multiple Edge programs and the Iowa Regional Leadership Conference. She’s excited to be transferring to a four-year college to complete her bachelor’s degree, and we are excited to see how her career blossoms from there!

Meet Erika

She finds time to scrapbook the important events in her life between two jobs, three dogs, and... oh, yeah, maintaining her 3.9 GPA.

Iowa Central Community College

Battle Creek, IA

Erika earned more than just a degree in her time at @Iowa Central Community college— she has been the president of the Phi Theta Kappa society as well as the student ambassador program, while being an R.A. and a drum major in the college’s marching band. When not in school, she is employed at two local businesses part-time, as well as a church camp during the summer where she serves as a counselor and a lifeguard. She’ll have to start a whole new scrapbook when she transfers to Iowa State this fall to major in Criminal Justice!  

Meet Samantha

A student balancing a job in healthcare who loves what she does and wants to make it her career!

Northwest Iowa Community College

Sheldon, IA

Samantha joined the healthcare workforce two years ago as a Certified Nurses Aid (CNA), where she discovered her love for the field. Currently enrolled in @NCC’s Registered Nurse (RN) program, she is setting her sights on transferring to a four-year university to continue her education. With a passion for helping others, she’s sure to find a bright future doing work she loves!

Meet Kadin

Being a student wasn’t a natural fit, but one setback meant a lifetime of success, once he found his passion.

Iowa Lakes Community College

Armstrong, IA

Going to college seemed like a given until it was the first semester, and what worked in high school wasn’t going to do it. Kadin didn’t get discouraged, but looked for resources on campus to rebuild how he studied and figured out his strengths. As it turns out, his gift of gab, good nature, and ability to think on his feet added up to being a great entrepreneur. He has excelled ever since, contributing to campus as the Vice President of the Student Senate and a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Laker Life campus ministries. Next up: transferring to UNI to double major in Business Analytics and Economics.  

Meet Josie

A born-and-raised farm girl who’s bringing her work ethic and education back home.

Iowa Lakes Community College

Ayrshire, IA

Josie is learning everything possible about modern agricultural and animal husbandry techniques by simultaneously pursuing degrees in Agricultural Production Technology, AgriBusiness Technology, and Agricultural Management, in addition to certifications in AgriBusiness Finance, AgriBusiness Sales and Marketing, Beef, and Beef Science. She has appeared on the President’s list multiple times by maintaining a 4.0 GPA every semester. As if these academic achievements and helping out on her family’s farm weren’t enough already, Josie runs a successful graphic design business.  

Meet Janna

Started as a kid who loved animals, became a student passionate about vet care... and soon to be in a vet office near you!

Iowa Lakes Community College

Sibley, IA

Her big heart for our furry friends made pursuing an Associate of Applied Science the clear choice to start her career as a veterinary technician. She found kindred spirits in her classmates and rose to serve as the Vice President of the Iowa Lakes Veterinary Technician Club. After graduation, she plans to stay in Iowa and at her hometown vet clinic.  

Phi Theta Kappa

All 15 of Iowa’s community colleges have chapters of Phi Theta Kappa: an international honor society with a mission of recognizing and promoting student academic achievement. 

Membership in PTK is limited. Typically, only the top 10% of students at each institution, assessed on their GPA, are invited to join. Nearly 1/3 of PTK members globally have 4.0 GPAs. 

Student Experience and Mindset

Students in PTK aren’t only focused on academics: they are seeking leadership and professional development opportunities in addition to their coursework. While they are set on their course, they are also open to new experiences. Students often embrace these mantras: 

I want to create my life on my own terms.

I’m going places and I know exactly where I am going.

I’m going places (just not sure where yet).

I’ve overcome to get to where I am.

I want to find my community of people who understand what I’m going through.

Recognition and Lifetime Success

Each year, we celebrate the top of the top with our Phi Theta Kappa All-Iowa Academic Team Awards. Often, in addition to the state-level recognition, several students in Iowa also earn national awards—which are accompanied with specialty scholarships. 

Employers know PTK and trust these students to be well-rounded go-getters. It pays well beyond the semester or scholarship to pursue PTK and lean into their global resources and network. PTK agrees with community colleges that it’s about lifetime success.

Financial Aid

Community colleges are known as an affordable higher education option. It is our hope that students are able to achieve their educational goals without the cost being a barrier. These financial aid resources are unique to Iowa and should be considered by all Iowans.

Scholarship
Eligible Students
Eligible Schools
-recently completed an Iowa high school diploma, homeschool program, or high school equivalency diploma or 20+
-enroll at least part-time in eligible program
-apply for all other available grants/scholarships
-EFC of $20,000
Iowa community colleges or accredited private colleges in Iowa that offer qualified programs and agree to provide student services
-Iowa resident
-enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in a qualified program
-enrolled at an Iowa community college
-financial need
Iowa community colleges
-Iowa resident
-member of an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit for each term the member receives benefits
-satisfactorily completed required Guard training
-maintain satisfactory performance of Guard duty
-pursue a certificate or undergraduate degree at an eligible Iowa college or university
Any
-Iowa resident
-attending an eligible Iowa college or university
-graduated from an eligible Iowa high school or completed a high school equivalency diploma within the last 2 years
-be a first-time college freshman
-continuously enrolled in college and receiving a scholarship disbursement to renew a scholarship
-enroll for at least 3 semester hours
-complete the FAFSA and IFAA by March 1
-have eligible SAI
Any
-Iowa resident
-enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in a qualified program
-enrolled at an Iowa community college
-financial need
Community colleges
-have a high school diploma, HiSET/GED, or home school diploma
-be a GEAR UP Iowa Program participant
-be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen under the FAFSA
-be under the age of 22 for first receipt
-enroll in at least 3 semester hours
-complete FAFSA
Title IV college/university
-under 26
-exited foster care supervised by HHS/Juvenile Court Services w/in 30 days of 18th birthday OR were legally adopted or entered Subsidized Guardianship Program from Iowa foster care at 16+
Any
-Iowa resident
-attend or plan to attend an Iowa college or university
Any
-ability to complete an eligible certificate program
-ability to enter a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree program for credit
-ability to gain full-time employment
-ability to maintain full-time employment over time
Iowa community colleges