CHAPTER 34
WORKFORCE GRANT AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM
283—34.1(261) Basis of aid. Assistance available under the Iowa workforce grant and incentive program is based on the financial need of Iowa residents enrolled in eligible programs of study at universities under the Iowa board of regents.
[ARC 7130C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]
283—34.2(261) Definitions.
“Academic year” is defined as the fall, spring and summer semesters, in that sequence, within a state fiscal year.
“Eligible institution” means the same as defined in Iowa Code section 256.230.
“Eligible program” means an undergraduate program of study as defined in 283—Chapter 10 that meets the provisions of Iowa Code section 256.230.
“Financial metric” means the same as defined in 283—Chapter 10.
“Financial need” means the same as defined in 283—Chapter 10.
“Full-time” means the same as defined in 283—Chapter 10.
“High-demand job” means the same as described in Iowa Code section 84A.1B(17).
“Iowa resident” means the same as defined in 283—Chapter 10.
“Part-time” means the same as defined in 283—Chapter 10.
“Satisfactory academic progress” means the same as defined in 283—Chapter 10.
[ARC 7130C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]
283—34.3(261) Eligible workforce grant applicant. An eligible applicant is an Iowa resident who is enrolled full-time or part-time as an undergraduate student in an eligible program at an eligible institution and who meets the following provisions:
	1.	Annually completes the applications the commission deems necessary on or before the date established by the commission.
	2.	Establishes financial need, has an eligible financial metric, meets satisfactory academic progress standards, and does not meet a condition in 283—subrule 10.3(1).
[ARC 7130C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]
283—34.4(261) Awarding of workforce grant funds.
	34.4(1) Selection criteria. All eligible applicants will be considered for an award.
	34.4(2) Extent of award and maximum award. Eligible applicants may receive no more than four full-time or eight part-time semesters of awards, or the equivalent.
	a. 	The maximum award for full-time students will not exceed the student’s financial need and will not exceed $2,000 per full-time semester.
	b. 	A part-time student will receive a prorated award, as established by the commission, based on the number of credit hours for which the student is enrolled.
	c. 	Awards will be provided during the fall and spring semesters of enrollment. Awards during the summer semester of enrollment may be provided if funding allows.
	34.4(3) Priority for awards. In the event that funds available are insufficient to provide an award to all eligible applicants, awards will be prioritized as follows:
	a. 	Eligible applicants who received a workforce grant in the prior academic year.
	b. 	Eligible applicants with the lowest financial metrics.
	c. 	Eligible applicants who are closest to the completion of their eligible program.
	34.4(4) Awarding process.
	a. 	The commission will provide notice of the eligibility criteria and maximum award to participating eligible institutions annually to authorize awarding.
	b. 	Eligible institutions will notify recipients of the awards, clearly indicating the award amount and the state program from which funding is being provided and stating that the award is contingent on the availability of state funds.
	c. 	Eligible institutions will apply awards directly to student accounts to cover items included in the cost of attendance, as defined in Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, as of July 1, 2023.
	d. 	Eligible institutions will provide information about eligible applicants to the commission in a format specified by the commission. Eligible institutions will make necessary changes to awards due to a change in enrollment, program of study, and financial situation and promptly report those changes to the commission.
	e. 	Eligible institutions will complete necessary verification and coordinate other aid to ensure compliance with student eligibility requirements and allowable award amounts. Eligible institutions will report changes in student eligibility to the commission.
	f. 	The commission will periodically investigate and review compliance of eligible institutions participating in this state program with the criteria established in Iowa Code section 256.230 and this rule.
[ARC 7130C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]
283—34.5(261) Eligible incentive payment applicant. Individuals who received a workforce grant and completed the eligible program within the same academic year may apply for the incentive payment if they meet the criteria of Iowa Code section 256.230 and are employed in Iowa.
[ARC 7130C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]
283—34.6(261) Awarding of incentive payments.
	34.6(1) Selection criteria. All eligible incentive payment applicants will be considered for an award.
	34.6(2) Extent of award and maximum award. Eligible incentive payment applicants may apply for no more than one incentive payment of up to $2,000.
	34.6(3) Awarding process.
	a. 	The commission will provide notice of the availability of the incentive payment application to eligible incentive payment applicants following completion of the eligible program. Eligible incentive payment applicants will apply for the incentive and begin full-time employment in a high-demand job in Iowa within six months of completing the eligible program.
	b. 	Following the application deadline, the commission will designate eligible applicants for awards and begin tracking their employment.
	c. 	After the applicant has completed 12 consecutive months of full-time employment, commission staff will verify with the Iowa employer that the applicant was employed full-time in a job position that is aligned with a high-demand job.
	d. 	Following verification with the employer, the commission will make payment to the eligible incentive payment applicant.
[ARC 7130C, IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]
These rules are intended to implement 2023 Iowa Acts, Senate File 560.
[Filed Emergency After Notice ARC 7130C (Notice ARC 7100C, IAB 10/4/23), IAB 12/13/23, effective 11/17/23]