More than $16 million in new funding became available through three new bills signed by Gov. Reynolds in the month of May.
The three new Future Ready Iowa funding opportunities will help Iowans get the education and training required for jobs and help employers get the skilled workers they need.
“Future Ready Iowa is a powerful tool for growing family incomes, meeting employers’ needs and strengthening our communities,” said Gov. Reynolds in the press release. “The Future Ready Iowa Act will ensure Iowans have the skills they need to succeed in a world driven by technological disruption – both now and in the future.”
The goal of Future Ready Iowa is 70 percent of Iowa workers having education or training beyond high school by 2025.
The Iowa Senate approved the “Future Ready Iowa Act” on Monday, March 18 in a unanimous vote of 47-0, sending the legislation to Gov. Reynolds’ desk for signature. Reynolds then signed the act into law on April 2 at the Future Ready Iowa Summit in Des Moines.
Here is more information on the three funding bills passed into law last month:
The Last Dollar Scholarship Program
The $13 million Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship makes it possible for students to have their tuition paid for in a number of career technology programs.
The Last-Dollar Scholarship covers tuition for students in programs leading to high-demand jobs in Iowa. It pays the cost of tuition above and beyond that covered by other state and federal programs.
Future Ready Iowa Grant Program
The $1 million Future Ready Iowa Grant program provides stipends to Iowans who left college after earning at least half the credits toward a four-year degree in a high-demand field, and who return to complete a degree.
This program will provide a minimum of $1,000 for tuition support.
Future Ready Employer Innovation Fund
The $1.2 million Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation Fund is a grant opportunity for employers and other partners to collaborate and carry out innovative, creative initiatives to address local workforce issues.
A state matching grant is available to qualifying applicants.