The Kibbie Grant

Program Description: 

The Kibbie grant provides needs-based financial assistance to Iowa residents who pursue degrees in in-demand fields at Iowa community colleges. The goal of the program is to address a shortage of skilled workers in particular fields. 
 
The maximum grant award is equal to one-half year of average Iowa community college tuition and mandatory fees per year, roughly $3,000. Awardees can qualify for up to two years of reimbursement. Part-time students may be able to receive prorated grants, and in certain circumstances students may be able to apply for a partial third year. Eligible degrees include those related to agricultural sciences, natural resource management, computer science and data analysis, culinary arts, robotics and mechanical engineering, criminal justice, construction, and health and medicine. 

Impact:

The Kibbie grant began in 2012. Since then, its five million dollar yearly budget has been divided among 4,000-5,000 students per year.  

The most popular program of study for awardees, by a factor of ten, is nursing. The 1,242 nursing awardees in 2019 received over $1,256,000 in financial assistance. Although the nursing shortage has been addressed on a nationwide level, rural states like Iowa still face shortages: in 2025, 70% of healthcare facilities in the state reported difficulty filling nursing positions. This grant helps address shortages in nursing and other technical fields. 
 

Population Served: 

Lower-income students in Iowa pursuing technical degrees; To receive the grant, applicants must complete a FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. 

Key Steps for Implementation: 

• Founded in 2013 in honor of former Iowa State Senator John Kibbie, who helped create the community college system in Iowa 

• Initially funded in 2013 by a General Fund appropriation 

• Funding transitioned, now funded by annual appropriations from the Skilled Worker and Job Creation Fund 

Learn more here. 

Page last updated in August 2026