Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program

At its June 13-14, 2023 meeting the Board of Regents will consider approval of the academic majors and high-demand jobs eligible for the Iowa Workforce Grant and Incentive Program for academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25. If approved, eligible students at Iowa’s public universities will be able to draw from a newly-created $6.5 million fund to help fill high-demand jobs in Iowa. 

Board Office staff and Iowa Workforce Development worked together to align high-demand jobs that meet the criteria outlined by the Iowa Legislature with bachelor’s degree programs at the universities. This list must be approved by the Board of Regents and the State Workforce Board.

Eligible students will receive $2,000 grants for up to four semesters of study at one of the Regent universities. Moreover, those eligible will receive an additional $2,000 incentive payment if they accept a high-demand job aligned with their major within six months of degree completion and remain in that job for a year.

Implementation will be handled by the Iowa College Aid Commission with the first round of awards disbursed in fall 2023.