A bill for an act establishing the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program and making appropriations.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill creates a yearly scholarship (up to $5,000) to cover tuition and fees for eligible adults with disabilities in Iowa’s approved transition and postsecondary programs.

Subcommittee recommends passage.

#disabilities #scholarships #tuition

HF 271: Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program Scholarship Program

Purpose and Intent

HF 271 aims to create a dedicated scholarship program to assist adults with disabilities who participate in comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs in Iowa. The goal is to offset tuition and fees for these programs and to increase access to postsecondary opportunities for individuals with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities.

Key Provisions

Program Establishment and Administration

If funds are appropriated by the General Assembly in a given fiscal year, the College Student Aid Commission (CSAC), in consultation with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) of the Department of Workforce Development, must develop and administer the scholarship program.
A new scholarship program fund is established in the state treasury and administered by CSAC, in collaboration with DVRS.

Eligibility and Scope

Scholarships are available to individuals who are at least 18 years old and enrolled in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program in Iowa that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
The scholarships are intended to offset tuition and fees for those programs.

Award Amounts and Renewal

Each eligible recipient may receive up to $5,000 per academic year.
Recipients must file a new application annually and provide required information for renewal/eligibility evaluation.

Application Evaluation and Priorities

CSAC, in consultation with DVRS, will establish evaluation criteria for scholarship applications.
Priority will be given to applicants who are residents of Iowa.

Rules and Administration

CSAC, with DVRS, will adopt rules under Chapter 17A to administer the section.
The program’s funding and administration rely on annual appropriations.

Who Is Affected

Eligible students with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities enrolled in Iowa’s approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs.

Institutions operating approved transition/postsecondary programs in Iowa (which would interact with CSAC and DVRS for scholarship administration).

Timeline and Status

Introduced: February 10, 2025.

Referred to Appropriations.

Subcommittee action: March 24–27, 2025; Subcommittee recommended passage on March 27, 2025.

The bill is currently in the subcommittee stage with passage recommended, contingent on funding appropriations.

Potential Impact

Provides targeted financial support to help cover costs for students with disabilities pursuing postsecondary transition programs.

Encourages Iowa residency and program participation in state-approved pathways.

Creates a new funding stream and interagency collaboration between CSAC and DVRS to administer scholarships.

Note: The bill’s effectiveness depends on future General Assembly appropriations each fiscal year.