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HF 117 – National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program (LSB1397HV)
Staff Contact: Michael Peters (515.281.6934) michael.peters@legis.iowa.gov
Fiscal Note Version – New
Description
House File 117 creates a new scholarship for members of the Iowa National Guard within the
College Student Aid Commission (CSAC) and establishes eligibility criteria. The Program
provides scholarships to members of the Iowa National Guard who are participating in an
educational program leading to a credential that is approved by the Adjutant General and
offered by Iowa community colleges, Iowa Regents universities, and Iowa private colleges and
universities.
The Bill requires the Adjutant General to publish and maintain a list of approved educational
programs. “Credential” is defined in the Bill as a postsecondary certificate or other competency-
based credential that is not authorized for federal student aid, but does not include an associate
degree or any degree beyond an associate degree.
The Bill authorizes the Adjutant General to expend funds appropriated to this Scholarship
Program and restricts the individual scholarship awards from exceeding the total cost charged
by the institution attended by the awardee. The Adjutant General is required to certify the
eligibility of applicants and awards paid to CSAC, and all amounts due to the educational
institution will be paid directly by the CSAC to that institution. The Bill authorizes the Adjutant
General to expend unencumbered and unobligated funds at the close of the fiscal year from the
National Guard Service Scholarship Program for the Scholarship Program established in the
Bill.
The Bill requires the CSAC to adopt administrative rules for the new Program.
Background
The National Guard Service Scholarship Program was created in 1944 under Iowa Code section
256.210. The statutory maximum is established annually by the Iowa Adjutant General. The
maximum amount for the 2023-2024 academic year was approximately $8,800, or the tuition
charged to the recipient, whichever was lower. The following are criteria for this Program:
• Must be an Iowa resident and a member of the Iowa Army or Air National Guard for each
term that benefits are received.
• Must satisfactorily complete required Guard training and maintain satisfactory performance
of required Guard duty.
• Must be pursuing a certificate or undergraduate degree at an eligible Iowa college or
university and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for all
nonrepayable State and federal financial aid for which the National Guard member is
eligible.
• Must apply to the Adjutant General of Iowa, on forms prescribed by the Adjutant General,
who shall determine eligibility and whose decision is final.
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Services Division 2
Assumptions
• The Department of Education estimates initial system one-time programming costs totaling
$116,000 in FY 2026, and ongoing system maintenance costs of $11,000 per year
thereafter.
• The Department of Education estimates annual administrative costs of $25,000, increasing
by 2.0% each year thereafter.
• The cost of degree programs is unknown.
• The number of potential applicants for this Program is unknown.
Fiscal Impact
The number and cost of new scholarships issued under HF 117 is unknown.
The creation of a new Scholarship Program is estimated to require expenses totaling $152,000
in FY 2026 to the CSAC. This includes $116,000 for one-time programming costs, $11,000 in
ongoing system maintenance costs, and annual staff administration costs of $25,000.
Figure 1 — Estimated Costs of House File 117
Sources
Department of Education
Iowa National Guard
/s/ Jennifer Acton
January 29, 2025
Doc ID 1520954
The fiscal note for this Bill was prepared pursuant to Joint Rule 17 and the Iowa Code. Data used in
developing this fiscal note is available from the Fiscal Services Division of the Legislative Services
Agency upon request.
www.legis.iowa.gov FY 2026FY 2027FY 2028FY 2029FY 2030
One-time System Cost 116,000$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0$
Ongoing System Support/Maintenance 11,00011,00011,00011,00011,000
Staff Administrative Expenses 25,00026,00026,00027,00027,000
Total Cost 152,000$ 37,000$ 37,000$ 38,000$ 38,000$