Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF118

Introduced
1/23/25  
Engrossed
1/30/25  
Refer
2/3/25  
Enrolled
5/2/25  

Caption

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program. (Formerly HSB 4.) Effective date: 07/01/2025.

Impact

The enactment of HF118 is poised to significantly enhance the educational support provided to National Guard members in Iowa by clarifying and potentially expanding the eligibility and distribution processes for scholarship awards. By ensuring a minimum scholarship award of fifty percent of the resident tuition rate, the bill underscores the state's commitment to supporting its military service members in their pursuit of higher education. This change could lead to increased enrollment of National Guard members in colleges and universities, benefiting both the educational institutions and the individuals seeking to advance their careers.

Summary

House File 118 proposes modifications to the National Guard Service Scholarship Program in Iowa, specifically addressing the scholarship awards paid to eligible National Guard members. The bill aims to ensure that scholarship awards do not exceed the resident tuition rate for institutions under the control of the state board of regents. Furthermore, it stipulates that in cases where appropriated funds are insufficient to cover all eligible applicants, the Adjutant General will work with the commission to determine how available scholarships will be distributed. This adjustment is intended to provide equitable educational opportunities to members of the National Guard.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HF118 appears to be largely positive. Supporters argue that the bill reflects a necessary and timely recognition of the sacrifices made by National Guard members and improves their access to education. The consensus among proponents is that this financial support represents an important step towards recognizing and rewarding military service. Critics have not surfaced significantly in the discussions, which may indicate a broad agreement on the need for improved scholarship provisions for National Guard members.

Contention

Despite the generally favorable outlook, there is a potential point of contention related to the distribution of funds should the appropriated amounts prove insufficient. How the Adjutant General and the commission decide to distribute scholarships could lead to debates about fairness and transparency, especially if certain groups feel they are being disadvantaged compared to others. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding how changes might affect future funding allocations for education and military benefit programs in the state.

Companion Bills

IA HSB4

Related A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program.(See HF 118.)

IA SSB1049

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

Previously Filed As

IA HF2323

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program and establishing the national guard service continuing education scholarship program.(Formerly HSB 556.)

IA HSB556

A bill for an act modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program and establishing the national guard service continuing education scholarship program.(See HF 2323.)

IA SSB3071

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

IA HF2144

A bill for an act establishing the United States army reserve service scholarship program within the college student aid commission.(Formerly HF 2023.)

IA HF675

A bill for an act relating to money transmission services. (Formerly HF 431, HSB 128.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SF466

A bill for an act relating to the national guard service scholarship program, and making appropriations.

IA SF2385

A bill for an act relating to boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other entities of state government, and including effective date and transition provisions. (Formerly SSB 3172.) Effective date: 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

IA SF560

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, the department of education, and the state board of regents; requiring the state board of regents to conduct a study and prepare a report related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and efforts; providing for responsibilities of the workforce development board; establishing the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program; requiring the department of education to convene a task force to study issues related to programs for at-risk students and dropout prevention programs; modifying provisions related to the future ready Iowa skilled workforce grant program, the all Iowa opportunity scholarship program, the education savings account program, the gap tuition assistance program, the Iowa educational services for the blind and visually impaired program, career and technical education programs, the fine arts beginning teacher mentoring program, the equipment replacement and program-sharing property tax levy, and the posting of education-related job openings; and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 1212.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 01/24/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF481

A bill for an act establishing the United States army reserve service scholarship program within the college student aid commission.

IA SF2435

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3201.) Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 07/01/2024.

Similar Bills

UT HB0398

Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments

UT SB0107

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UT SB0062

Special Needs Opportunity Scholarship Program Amendments

CA AB2480

Income taxes: credit: Scholarship Tax Credit Program Act.

AL HB442

To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.

MS HB747

Mississippi Scholarship Act; create to provide scholarships to K-12 public school students.

MS HB874

Mississippi Scholarship Act; create to provide scholarships to K-12 public school students.

UT HB0529

Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Amendments