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Sources of Financial Aid
Grants Grants - Financial aid that does not have to be repaid Federal Pell Grant - A grant awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and who have demonstrated adequate financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Pell Grant provides the foundation of financial aid for many students. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) - An additional campus-based grant awarded to highest-need students. Iowa Vocational-Technical Grant - Grant funding available to Iowa residents in Vocational-Technical programs. An application for financial aid must be received by the federal processor prior to the state deadline, and the expected family contribution must be within the parameters set by the state. This is a grant that is credited to the student's tuition account. Students can receive up to two years of Iowa Vocational-Technical Grant. Academic Competitiveness Grant - A grant awarded to students who have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and have been awarded a Pell Grant. Federal Loans - Money that is loaned to students by the Department of Education. This is the Department's largest self-help program. Loans are available under four programs: Federal Perkins Loans - A loan made at a very low fixed interest rate - 5 percent. This is a campus-based program, which means each participating school has a limited fund from which to make loans. Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan - Because the student has demonstrated sufficient financial need, the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time. The fixed interest rate depends on when the loan was disbursed.
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - The student does not qualify for the interest subsidy because he or she has not demonstrated sufficient financial need. The fixed interest rate is 6.8 percent. Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - This loan is made to parents of dependent students for their educational expenses. The fixed interest rate is 7.9 percent. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement; however parents can request a deferment while the student is enrolled at least half time. The PLUS Loan application is located here. Subsidized and unsubsidized loans have an origination fee of 1/2 of 1 per cent. The PLUS loan has a fee of 3 percent. These are deducted before disbursal. Federal Workstudy - This program provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. The program encourages community service work - particularly literacy tutoring. Students at Kirkwood are paid $7.50 per hour, and receive a check once per month. Kirkwood publishes a Scholarship Opportunities booklet. This booklet contains a listing of all internal scholarships, an application form and instructions on how to complete the application process. For more information about Kirkwood Scholarship Opportunities, go here. Kirkwood also offers the Presidential and Leaders For Tomorrow scholarships. For more information about those programs, go here. The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers a competition for awards for undergraduate study abroad. For more information, go here. The Sallie Mae Fund offers scholarships, including the Unmet Need Scholarship. Go here for more information. A good source to research scholarships is FinAid, The Information Page sponsored by the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators organization. Another good source of scholarship information is the website Financial Aid Tips. Check out their scholarship page here. In exchange for at least two years service at a health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses, the Nursing Scholarship Program pays tuition and certain other expenses. For more information, go here. Alternative Sources of Aid Non-Federal Student Loans - Commercial lenders have student loan programs available as well. These loans are available to students who are not eligible for federal student loans or who need additional assistance. The Financial Aid Office strongly recommends students exhaust all federal borrowing options first because the terms are generally superior to alternative loan options. A good resource is the Iowa College Student Aid Commission's list located here. Students should be aware that the list contains lenders that may not lend to all students at all schools. Please note that we will certify loans from any alternative lender that participates in the iLink system. Please contact us to find out whether the lender you are considering participates. Kirkwood recommends you investigate all of your loan options thoroughly before making a decision. You may receive benefits under only one VA education chapter at a time - even though you may have eligibility under more than one chapter. Education Fact Sheet for Guard and Reserve Members A short fact sheet for Guard and Reserve members called to active duty (in Adobe PDF Format). Visit the Questions and Answers section to see new information on military Call-up or activation. Use the “Search” feature to see all questions and answers or click on the following links to view benefit specific questions. Project Start - Project Start is funded by the Kirkwood Foundation. The purpose is to provide broad-based support to students. Participants are students who encounter barriers that might prevent them from enrolling or completing their academic goals. To be eligible for Project Start, an individual must meet financial guidelines, demonstrate academic promise and display the potential for success. Project Start services include financial assistance, among others. Participants are expected to be self-sufficient within one year. For more information, go here. Skills-to-Employment - Skills-to-Employment offers employment and training resources for Dislocated Workers and income-eligible adults and youth in Linn, Johnson, Jones, Cedar, Benton, Iowa, and Washington counties. Training sponsorships may be available for those who meet eligibility criteria and demonstrate financial need. Sponsorships can assist with the costs of training and related expenses, including:
Other Services include:
For more information, contact the Skills-to-Employment office at: (319) 398-5105 or 1-800-383-8451 Or visit us at 1030 5th Avenue, SE Suite 2300, Cedar Rapids Vocational Rehabilitation - The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a branch of the State of Iowa Department of Education. DVRS is a federal-and state-sponsored program that provides many specialized services on an individual basis to students with disabilities. These services include financial assistance. Iowa Teacher Shortage Forgivable Loan Program - This program is offered through the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. The loans offered through this program may be forgiven if the student teaches in a shortage area. For more information, go here. Iowa Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program - This program could pay off some of your student loans if you meet certain criteria. For more information, go here. FACTS - To help you meet your educational expenses, Kirkwood Community College offers FACTS as a convenient budget plan. The cost to budget your interest-free monthly payment plan is a $25 per semester non-refundable FACTS Enrollment Fee. For more information, contact Business Services at 319-398-5631. |
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