261.17 - VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL TUITION GRANTS.
261.17 VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL TUITION GRANTS.
1. A vocational-technical tuition grant may be awarded to any
resident of Iowa who is admitted and in attendance as a full-time or
part-time student in a vocational-technical or career option program
at a community college in the state, and who establishes financial
need.
2. All classes, including liberal arts classes, identified by the
community college as required for completion of the student's
vocational-technical or career option program shall be considered a
part of the student's vocational-technical or career option program
for the purpose of determining the student's eligibility for a grant.
Notwithstanding subsection 3, if a student is making satisfactory
academic progress but the student cannot complete a
vocational-technical or career option program in the time frame
allowed for a student to receive a vocational-technical tuition grant
as provided in subsection 3 because additional classes are required
to complete the program, the student may continue to receive a
vocational-technical tuition grant for not more than one additional
enrollment period.
3. A qualified full-time student may receive vocational-technical
tuition grants for not more than four semesters or the trimester or
quarter equivalent of two full years of study. A qualified part-time
student enrolled in a course of study including at least three
semester hours but fewer than twelve semester hours or the trimester
or quarter equivalent may receive vocational-technical tuition grants
for not more than eight semesters or the trimester or quarter
equivalent of two full years of full-time study.
However, if a student resumes study after at least a two-year
absence, the student may again be eligible for the specified amount
of time, except that the student shall not receive assistance for
courses for which credit was previously received.
4. a. The amount of a vocational-technical tuition grant to a
qualified full-time student shall not exceed the lesser of one
thousand two hundred dollars per year or the amount of the student's
established financial need.
b. The amount of a vocational-technical tuition grant to a
qualified part-time student enrolled in a course of study including
at least three semester hours but fewer than twelve semester hours or
the trimester or quarter equivalent shall be equal to the amount of a
vocational-technical tuition grant that would be paid to a full-time
student, except that the commission shall prorate the amount in a
manner consistent with the federal Pell grant program proration.
5. A vocational-technical tuition grant shall be awarded on an
annual basis, requiring reapplication by the student for each year.
Payments under the grant shall be allocated equally among the
semesters or quarters of the year upon certification by the
institution that the student is in full-time or part-time attendance
in a vocational-technical or career option program, as defined under
rules of the department of education. If the student discontinues
attendance before the end of any term after receiving payment of the
grant, the entire amount of any refund due that student, up to the
amount of any payments made under the annual grant, shall be paid by
the institution to the state.
6. If a student receives financial aid under any other program,
the full amount of that financial aid shall be considered part of the
student's financial resources available in determining the amount of
the student's financial need for that period.
7. The commission shall administer this program and shall:
a. Provide application forms for distribution to students by
Iowa high schools and community colleges.
b. Adopt rules for determining financial need, defining
residence for the purposes of this section, processing and approving
applications for grants and determining priority for grants.
c. Approve and award grants on an annual basis.
d. Make an annual report to the governor and general
assembly.
8. Each applicant, in accordance with the rules established by
the commission, shall:
a. Complete and file an application for a
vocational-technical tuition grant.
b. Be responsible for the submission of the financial
information required for evaluation of the applicant's need for a
grant, on forms determined by the commission.
c. Report promptly to the commission any information
requested.
d. Submit a new application and financial statement for
re-evaluation of the applicant's eligibility to receive a second-year
renewal of the grant. Section History: Early Form
[C75, 77, 79, 81, § 261.17] Section History: Recent Form
83 Acts, ch 197, § 14; 87 Acts, ch 233, § 456; 89 Acts, ch 319, §
44; 90 Acts, ch 1253, § 120; 90 Acts, ch 1272, § 50; 97 Acts, ch 212,
§26; 98 Acts, ch 1215, §34, 35; 99 Acts, ch 205, §29, 30; 2001 Acts,
2nd Ex, ch 6, §20, 37; 2002 Acts, ch 1014, §1