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HF 118

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Sets caps and a minimum for Iowa National Guard scholarships tying awards to tuition minus federal aid and guiding distribution when funds fall short to protect recipients.

Signed by Governor.
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Bill Summary · HF 118

Summary — HF 118 (2025): National Guard Service Scholarship Program

Status: Signed by Governor (approved May 2, 2025)
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Code section amended: Iowa Code § 256.210, subsection 2
Subject: Military — National Guard scholarships

Purpose

HF 118 modifies how Iowa’s National Guard Service Scholarship awards are calculated and distributed. The bill clarifies maximum and minimum award limits, ties awards to certain federal financial aid, and reaffirms who administers distribution when state appropriations are insufficient.

Key provisions

  • Caps and floors:
    • Scholarship awards shall not exceed the resident tuition rate established for institutions under the State Board of Regents.
    • Scholarship awards shall not be less than 50% of the resident tuition rate or 50% of the tuition at the institution attended by the National Guard member, whichever is lower.
  • Coordination with federal aid:
    • Awards shall not exceed the difference between the tuition charged by the attended institution and any financial aid received by the National Guard member under 10 U.S.C. §2007. (In other words, the state award is limited to the tuition gap remaining after that specified federal aid.)
  • Distribution when appropriations are insufficient:
    • If appropriated funds in a fiscal year are insufficient to cover scholarships for all eligible applicants, the Adjutant General — in coordination with the College Student Aid Commission — shall determine how scholarships are distributed.
  • Non-discrimination language:
    • The enrolled text states that neither eligibility nor scholarship award determinations shall be based on a member’s unit, the location of drills, or whether the member is in the Iowa Army or Air National Guard.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Iowa National Guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities and apply for the state scholarship.
  • Secondary: College Student Aid Commission (administration), the Adjutant General (eligibility determinations and distribution when funds are limited), and public institutions under the State Board of Regents (tuition rates inform caps).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • House passage: January 30, 2025 (99–0). An amendment (H‑1001) was filed but failed.
  • Committee activity: Veterans Affairs Committee and subcommittee hearings in February 2025; committee recommended passage (Feb 24, 2025).
  • Senate passage: April 9, 2025 (47–0).
  • Enrolled, signed by Speaker and President, transmitted to Governor and signed into law May 2, 2025.

Potential impact

  • Ensures state scholarships do not duplicate or exceed federal aid under 10 U.S.C. §2007, effectively reducing state award amounts for recipients who also receive that federal funding.
  • Helps manage limited state appropriations by directing the Adjutant General and the Commission to allocate awards when funds are insufficient.
  • Retains a baseline minimum award (50% of resident or institutional tuition, whichever is lower), preserving a guaranteed level of support for recipients.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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