Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship

New requirement for 2023-2024
Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) at or below $20,000. The EFC is determined by the information you submitted on your FAFSA.

The Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship covers tuition for many high-demand career and technical areas.

The Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship covers any tuition gaps not covered by other federal and state grants/scholarships for eligible Iowa residents enrolled in targeted, high-demand career and technical programs at DMACC. This first-of-its-kind financial assistance program offers an affordable pathway into many exciting and growing careers. Iowa employers are hiring graduates with these skills.

To be eligible for this program you must meet the qualifications below AND file your FAFSA as soon as possible. Make sure to include DMACC's School Code 004​​589.

July 15​, 2023 is the​ FAFSA priority deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year. If funding is not sufficient to award all eligible students, Iowa College Aid will prioritize students based on returning Last-Dollar Scholarship students and then by​ FAFSA application receipt date.​

If you qualify, you will be notified by the DMACC Financial Aid Office via a Financial Aid Offer sent to your DMACC email address. ​

Who is Eligible?

Two groups qualify for Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarships:

Enroll in an eligible program of study for at least 6 credits or equivalent after completion of an Iowa high school or homeschool program or completion of an equivalency diploma.

Lifetime Maximum

8 part-time semesters or the full-time equivalent

Requirement: You must remain continuously enrolled, at minimum, as a part-time student (6 or more credit hours per term) in the program to remain eligible unless it is the final term of enrollment. (Summer enrollment does not count towards continuous enrollment but does count toward the tuition award maximum if you receive Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship funds for summer semester.) You must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.​ Once a student receives a payment in this group, they will remain in that group until they are no longer eligible for LDS.

If you already receive full tuition through federal or state grants, and meet requirements, you will receive $250 through Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship.

​Summer Enrollment

You are not required to enroll for summer to meet the continuous enrollment requirement. However, you can receive Last-Dollar Scholarship in the Summer if you enroll in a minimum of 6 credits.

Following completion of high school or a high school equivalency diploma, and on or after attaining age twenty, enroll on at least a half-time basis (minimum 6 credits) in an eligible program. Age is calculated as of July 1 prior to the year of enrollment.

Lifetime Maximum

8 semesters (part-time or equivalent)

Requirement: You must remain continuously enrolled​ in the program at least 6 credit hours each semester. (Summer enrollment does not count towards continuous enrollment but does count toward the tuition award maximum if you receive Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship funds for summer semester.) You must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Once a student receives a payment in this group, they will remain in that group until they are no longer eligible for LDS.

If you already receive full tuition through federal or state grants, Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship awards: $250 if you are enrolled full-time, or $125 if you are enrolled part-time.

Summer Enrollment

​You are not required to enroll for summer to meet the continuous enrollment requirement. However, you can receive Last-Dollar Scholarship in the Summer if you enroll in a minimum of 6 credits.​

Eligible programs

2023-2024​​​​ DMACC Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates to qualify for Iowa Last ​Dollar Scholarships.​​

New programs beginning Fall 2023

  • Culinary Arts, AAS
  • Culinary Arts, Diploma
  • Baking, Diploma

  • Accounting Payroll, Certificate
  • Accounting Specialist, AAS
  • Advanced Manufacturing Technology, AAS
  • Architectural Technologies, AAS
  • Architectural Technologies, Diploma
  • ASEP-General Motors, AAS
  • ASSET-Ford, AAS
  • Auto Chassis & Power Train, Diploma
  • Auto Collision Technology, AAS
  • Auto Collision Technology, Diploma
  • Auto Engines & Tune-Up, Diploma
  • Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair Technology, Diploma
  • Automotive Mechanics Technology, AAS
  • Automotive Minor Repair and Vehicle Maintenance, Certificate
  • Baking Diploma
  • Biotechnology, Agronomy Concentration, AAS
  • Biotechnology, Animal Science Concentration, AAS
  • Biotechnology, Greenhouse Production Concentration, AAS
  • Building Trades, Diploma
  • C# Application Developer, Certificate
  • C++ Application Developer, Certificate
  • CAP-Chrysler, AAS
  • Civil Engineering Technology, AAS
  • Civil Engineering Technology, Certificate
  • CNC Operator/Programmer, Certificate
  • Computer Information Systems, AAS
  • Computer Languages, Diploma
  • Computer-Aided Design Technology, AAS
  • Computer-Aided Design Technology, Diploma
  • Construction Management, AAS
  • Crime Scene Investigation, Certificate
  • Criminal Justice, AAS
  • Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Certificate
  • Culinary Arts, AAS
  • Culinary Arts, Diploma
  • Cybersecurity, AAS
  • Cybersecurity, Certificate
  • Cybersecurity, Diploma
  • Data Science, Certificate
  • Dental Assistant, Diploma
  • Dental Hygiene, AAS
  • Diemaking, Diploma
  • Diesel Technology, AAS
  • Diesel Technology, Diploma
  • Digital Forensic Investigation, Certificate
  • E-Discovery, Certificate
  • Electric Utility Technology, Diploma
  • Electrical Trades, Diploma
  • Electronics Engineering Technology, AAS
  • Electronics Fundamentals, Diploma
  • Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology, AAS
  • Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology, Diploma
  • Honda PACT Auto Repair, AAS
  • Honda PACT Maintenance & Light Repair, Certificate
  • Human Services, AAS
  • Human Services, Certificate
  • Information Technology/Network Administration, AAS
  • Information Technology/Network Administration, Certificate
  • Java Application Developer, Certificate
  • Machinist Technology, Diploma
  • Medical Assistant, Diploma
  • Medical Billing and Coding, Diploma
  • Medical Laboratory Technology, AAS
  • Medical Office Specialist, AAS
  • Network Technology-Telecommunications, Certificate
  • Network Technology-Telecommunications/Data Communications, AAS
  • Nursing, AAS
  • Nursing-Practical, Diploma
  • Paralegal, AAS
  • Paralegal, Certificate
  • Patient Access Specialist, Certificate
  • Python Application Developer, Certificate
  • Renewable Energy Technology, AAS
  • Respiratory Therapy, AAS
  • Robotics & Control Systems Engineering Technology, AAS
  • SQL Application Developer, Certificate
  • Surgical Technology, AAS
  • Tool & Diemaking, AAS
  • Wastewater Treatment and Collection System Technology, Diploma
  • Water Environmental Technology, AAS
  • Water Treatment and Distribution System Technology, Diploma
  • Web Developer Diploma
  • Web Developer, Certificate
  • Web Development, AAS
  • Welding, Diploma

Please note: Pre-Programs are not eligible for the Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship.

High-demand careers

High growth jobs projected for the next 5-10 years.

View the list

For more information

Please visit the Future Ready Iowa website.

Note: This is a first-come, first-served scholarship and will end when the allocated State funds have been exhausted.