Iowa veteran education benefits
Stars rate how much each state offers veterans themselves for college, training and exam fees (family-only programs don't count): 5 = free public-college tuition for most resident veterans, no disability rating needed; 3 = partial grants or narrower eligibility; 1 = little or nothing beyond federal benefits. How we rate
No state education benefit for separated veterans; only Guard and children of the fallen.
Checked Oct 7, 2026. State benefits change often. Confirm the details with the state agency before you apply.
Verify on the official page means we could not fully confirm that detail on the agency's own page.
For veterans
Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship (INGSS)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Annual awards at eligible Iowa colleges; combinable with GI Bill/TA.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Current Iowa National Guard members only.
For spouses and children
Branstad-Reynolds Children of Fallen Iowa Service Members Scholarship Fund
- What it covers
- College scholarship (amount set by award board).
- Who qualifies and limits
- Child of a service member who died in active military status after Sept 11, 2001 and was an Iowa resident at entry and at death. Apply by Dec 31.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
No state tuition waiver or grant for veterans themselves found. The Iowa Veterans Trust Fund lists unemployment assistance (service-related causes), health, vehicle/housing repair and emergency housing – education/training/exam fees are not listed. The War Orphans Educational Assistance rules may have been rescinded in 2026 (not confirmed).
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA)
- Education office
- Iowa Department of Education – Veterans and Military Education (State Approving Agency)
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Iowa State Approving Agency (Iowa Department of Education)
Sources we checked
- dva.iowa.gov/benefits/state-benefits
- dva.iowa.gov/about/scholarship-children-fallen
- educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/veterans-military-education
- myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Iowa
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.