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HF 117

Walker West Music Academy funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Samakab Hussein and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a scholarship program to cover credential costs not eligible for federal aid for Iowa National Guard members at Iowa colleges.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Legacy Finance
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Bill Summary · HF 117

Summary — HF 117: National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program

Status: Enacted (Signed by Governor May 2, 2025)
Introduced: Jan 23, 2025 | Passed House & Senate | Companion: SF 1504

Purpose / Intent

HF 117 establishes a new scholarship program to support Iowa National Guard members who pursue postsecondary workforce credentials that are not eligible for federal Title IV student aid. The program is intended to expand educational and occupational training access for Guard members by covering credential program costs at Iowa public and private institutions.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the "National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program" (new Iowa Code §256.210A).
  • Administration: Program administered by the College Student Aid Commission (CSAC); CSAC must adopt administrative rules.
  • Program approval and certification:
    • The Adjutant General (AG) publishes and maintains the list of approved credential programs and determines eligibility on AG-prescribed forms; AG decisions are final.
    • AG certifies eligible applicants and award amounts to CSAC.
  • Eligible institutions: Iowa community colleges (per §260C.2), state board of regents institutions, and accredited private institutions (per §256.183).
  • Definition of credential: A postsecondary certificate or competency-based credential that is not authorized for federal Title IV aid; explicitly excludes associate degrees and any degree beyond an associate.
  • Scholarship amount: Awards shall not exceed the total cost charged by the institution for the approved credential program.
  • Priority / distribution: If appropriated/available funds are insufficient to serve all eligible applicants, the AG (in coordination with CSAC) determines distribution of awards.
  • Recipient requirements include Iowa residency, current membership in Iowa Army or Air National Guard while receiving payments, completion of initial active duty training, satisfactory Guard duty performance, satisfactory academic progress, providing notice of Guard status to the institution at registration, applying for all non-repayable federal/state aid (FAFSA), and filing required applications.
  • AG must accept late applications from otherwise eligible Guard members who were on federal active duty at the application deadline.
  • Payment and records: CSAC pays institutions upon institutional certification of charges and student attendance/progress; CSAC maintains annual records of participant counts and award dollar values.
  • Fiscal management: Amends §256.210(6)(a) to permit unencumbered/unobligated funds appropriated for existing National Guard scholarship purposes to be carried forward and used by the AG for §256.210, §256.210A, and §256.211.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Iowa Army and Air National Guard members enrolled in AG‑approved credential programs at eligible Iowa institutions (community colleges, regents, accredited private colleges).
  • State agencies: College Student Aid Commission (administration, payments, recordkeeping) and the Office of the Adjutant General (program approval, eligibility certification, fund authority).
  • Postsecondary institutions: Receive direct payments from CSAC upon certification.

Fiscal impact (per fiscal note)

  • CSAC estimated implementation cost: $152,000 in FY2026 (one-time system programming $116,000; ongoing system maintenance $11,000; initial staff/admin costs $25,000).
  • Ongoing annual costs thereafter estimated at roughly $37,000–$38,000 (maintenance + staff, with modest staff inflation).
  • The total cost of scholarship awards and number of recipients are unknown and depend on future appropriations and demand.

Legislative timeline / actions

  • Introduced Jan 23, 2025; committee/subcommittee reviews in Feb–Mar 2025; passed House (Jan 30, 2025) and Senate (April 22, 2025); enrolled and signed by Governor May 2, 2025.
  • Amendment H‑1003 adjusted related enrollment language and broadened bill title to cover scholarship programs for National Guard members.

This summary highlights the statute changes, eligibility and program mechanics, affected parties, and the near-term fiscal implications.

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

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