Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program
At its February meeting, the Board of Regents will consider approval of the academic majors and high-demand jobs eligible for the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program for academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program is an award available to eligible junior and senior, Iowa resident students at Iowa's public universities, to receive grants for up to four semesters, with an additional $2,000 incentive payment if they accept a high-demand job aligned with their major within six months of degree completion and work full-time in that position for 12 consecutive months
Board Office staff and Iowa Workforce Development worked together to align high-demand jobs that meet the criteria outlined by the Iowa Legislature with bachelor’s degree programs at the universities. This list is an update to the list first presented to the Board and approved at the June 2023 meeting.
Eligible students received more than $6.6 million in grants to study in programs that align their skills with high-demand jobs and to take those jobs in Iowa once they graduate. A total of 3,393 students averaged $1,951 in aid during academic years 2023-24.
| Recipients | 3,393 |
|---|---|
| Elementary Education | 351 |
| Computer Occupations | 148 |
| Biology | 134 |
| Psychology | 126 |
| Business Administration | 124 |
| Maximum Award | $2,400 |
| Expenditures | $6,619,622 |
| Average Award | $1,951 |
| Average full-time tuition/fees | $10,396 |
