Tuition-free degrees offered at SCC

Iowa residents entering one of 20 programs at SCC could earn a degree without paying for tuition, thanks to the Last-Dollar Scholarship program.

“All you have to do is submit the FAFSA to have tuition covered for the eligible programs,” Dana Chrisman, admissions director, says. “It sounds too good to be true, but it has helped hundreds of students in the state complete their degrees and move on to high-paying jobs.”

Through the State of Iowa's Future Ready Iowa initiative, the program is designed to cover the cost of tuition that is not already paid for by scholarships or federal and state grants. The goal is to build Iowa's talent pipeline by boosting education beyond a high school diploma to give students the skills that employers are seeking.

The Last-Dollar Scholarship will cover tuition for the following programs at SCC:

Accounting

Advanced Automation & Robotics Technology

Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology - Management

Business Administration

Computer-Aided Design Technology (CAD)

Construction Technology

Construction Management

Entrepreneurship

Industrial Maintenance Technology

Healthcare Technology Management

IT Management

Medical Assistant

Medical Coding and Billing

Modern Food Production, Agriculture, and the Environment

Network Administration & Cyber Security

Nursing - LPN or ADN

Precision Machining and CNC Technology

Respiratory Care

Welding Technology

Chrisman adds that the scholarship has helped hundreds of students across the state since its onset in 2019.

“This is an outstanding plan to help students,” Chrisman adds. “With the Last-Dollar Scholarship covering that financial gap, the state is making it possible for students to achieve their career goals.”

The scholarship is open to Iowa residents who are 2022 high school graduates or adult learners age 20 and up who enroll full- or part-time. Those interested in the program must complete their SCC application for admission and the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) by July 1. Both applications are available at www.scciowa.edu.

“We're going into the third year of this program, and word is getting out that Iowa residents really can earn the degree they need for in-demand jobs without paying for tuition,” she says. “There's no fine print.”

The scholarship is renewable. Qualified students will need to reapply each year.

For assistance with the FAFSA, contact Mack Turner, educational outreach advisor, at (319) 208-5026 or mturner@scciowa.edu.

Eligible programs are listed at www.scciowa.edu.

Contact SCC's financial aid office with questions at (319) 208-5000.