Grants

Grants

Financial Aid That Does Not Have To Be Repaid!

These awards are all pro-rated based on enrollment level.

The Kirkwood Financial Aid Office will automatically award you the Kibbie Grant or Last-Dollar Scholarship if you qualify.

Please note that the Last-Dollar Scholarship is a first-come, first-served scholarship. It will end when the allotted state funds have been awarded.

See more information on these grants and more below!  

Types of Grants Available

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.

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.

View the Eligibility Requirements

The Kibbie Grant applies to the following programs for the 2024 – '25 academic year:

Animals, Food, & Land

Arts & Design

Business

Health & Wellness

Manufacturing, Trades, & Transportation


Social Services, Safety, & Education

STEM & IT

Please note, these programs may change for the 2025 – '26 academic year. 

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. In order to be eligible, students must meet income requirements and be accepted into the technical portion of their program.

View Other Eligibility Requirements

The Last-Dollar Scholarship applies to the following programs for the 2024 – '25 academic year:

Animals, Food, & Land

Arts & Design

Business

Health & Wellness

Manufacturing, Trades, & Transportation


Social Services, Safety, & Education

STEM & IT

Please note, these programs may change for the 2025 – '26 academic year.

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.
View the Eligibility Requirements

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).

  • Any student who qualifies for a Pell Grant based on their 2024 – '25 FAFSA currently on file is eligible for additional Pell Grant to be used toward their 2024 summer tuition.
  • If you were not eligible for a Pell Grant on your 2024 – '25 FAFSA, you would not be eligible for Pell Grant funds to be applied to your summer tuition. If you have not filed a current FAFSA for 2024 – '25, you may still submit one now until June 30, 2025.
  • If you meet the eligibility requirements for a Pell Grant, it would then be applied to the tuition for your 2025 summer classes.

Priority registration for classes begins April 5. Visit MyHub to register.

Contact the Financial Aid Office on 3rd floor of Iowa Hall for additional information.

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.

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.

Steps to Apply:

Deadlines:

  • 2024 – '25 academic year: Kibbie Grant and Vocational Technical Grant, submit the FAFSA by July 1, 2024.
  • 2024 – '25 academic year: Last-Dollar Scholarship, submit the FAFSA by July 15, 2024.
  • 2024 – '25 academic year: Pell Grant, submit the FAFSA by June 30, 2025.
Kirkwood Student Katelyn Kucera

“I love all the expected aspects of community college – cost, location, smaller classes – but at Kirkwood, all of that comes with a really direct connection to the 4-year school I’m transferring to. I’m in contact with advisors and people from the Agriculture department at Iowa State who make sure I can easily transition over there. It gives me a lot of peace of mind and feels like I’m already a part of my ISU program in a lot of ways.”

Katelyn Kucera,
Traer, Iowa

Contact Us 

Reach out to the Financial Aid Office with any questions.

Hours: 

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Regular hours)

Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Summer hours [May 20 - Aug 2])

Phone: 319-398-7600 or 1-877-386-9101

Fax: 319-398-4928
Email: Financial Aid - financialaid@kirkwood.edu

FAFSA School Code: 004076

Location: 3rd Floor Iowa Hall

Mailing Address
Kirkwood Community College
Financial Aid Office
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404