The Condition of Higher
Education in Iowa
You can access the full report
from our Higher Education
Data Center
https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/sites/files/
college_aid/2014ConditionReport.pdf
Background
This report serves as an overview of
Iowa’s population in relation to college
readiness, persistence, affordability of
higher education, educational attainment
and the future employability of the
citizens of the state.
Iowa’s Changing
Demographics
• Iowa’s population is aging
• Iowa’s population is becoming
more diverse.
Pages 3-4 in the report
Education Levels
• Of Iowa’s population, age 25 and
older:
• 90.7% have a high school
education or higher.
• 35.6% have an associate’s
degree or higher.
• 25.3% have a bachelor’s degree
or higher
Pages 5-6 in the report
Percent of Population, Age 25 and Older
with an Associate’s Degree or Higher
Iowa’s Changing
Workforce Demands
• A growing number of jobs in the
state require postsecondary
education.
• By 2018, approximately 1.1 million
jobs in the state, or 62 percent will
require education beyond high
school.
• Middle-skill jobs make up the majority
of the state’s labor market
Iowa’s Changing
Workforce Demands
• High growth is expected in:
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Computer & Mathematical
Healthcare Support
Personal Care
Healthcare Practitioner
Community & Social Services
Construction
Business & Financial
Arts/Entertainment/Media
Installation/Maintenance/Repair
Transportation & Material Moving
Architecture & Engineering
Field of Study &
Employment
• Fields with the lowest
unemployment rates for recent
graduates coincide with the fastest
growing occupations.
Pages 13-14 in the report
Fastest Growing Occupations Require High
Levels of Postsecondary Education
Interest in STEM
• As students progress to high
school, interest in STEM-related
fields appears to wane.
• Interest is highest at the elementary
school level, followed by middle
school and last, high school.
Page 18 in the report
Percent of Students Statewide by Grade Who
Said They “Liked it A Lot” (Grades 3-5) or Were
“Very Interested” (Grades 6-12) in STEM
Education & Poverty
• The percent of school-aged
children living in poverty is higher
than the state average.
• 41 percent of the student body in
Iowa’s K-12 public schools was
eligible for free or reduced lunch
• College participation rates vary
based on family income
Pages 9-10 in the report
Enrollment
• Enrollment over the past three
years has slightly decreased
Pages 11-12 in the report
Total Fall Enrollment by Institution Type
College Readiness
• Of the 2013 graduating seniors
who took the ACT in high school,
only 32 percent met all four ACT
College Readiness Benchmark
Scores.
Pages15-16 in the report
College Costs
• Increases in college costs have
outpaced increases in household
income and appropriations for state
financial aid programs.
Percent Change in Median Household Income,
College Costs and State Financial Aid Appropriations
Growth in Aid
Independent Applicants
• Over the last 6 years, the number
of students over the age of 25 who
filed a FAFSA increased nearly
73% in comparison to 18% for
traditional-aged college students.
College Costs
• Increasingly, Iowans applying for
financial aid for college have higher
need.
• 53% were eligible for Pell Grants
• 38% had a zero EFC
College Costs
• Median income of most state
financial aid program recipients is
well below that of the state as a
whole.
Conclusion
• The benefits of increasing
educational attainment extend
beyond that of the individual.
• This report influenced Iowa College
Aid’s four main goals outlined in its
strategic plan
Strategic Goals
1. Communities are engaged in
increasing college attainment
2. Increased number of low-income
and underrepresented students
who enroll and complete a degree
or certificate
Strategic Goals
3. Increased awareness about the
needs of postsecondary
attainment for adults.
4. Increased funding for students
and student services.
Questions?
Iowa College Aid Update
Program Administration
Program Update
• GEAR UP Scholarship
• Students matched to FAFSA: 3,220
• Paid fall 2014: 2,332
• 2nd GEAR UP Grant
• 7th year funding
• Once the districts have been oriented,
will be reaching out to college partners
(spring, 2015)
Program Update Cont…
• College Access Challenge Grant
• Did not qualify last 2 years due to MOE
requirements; qualified this year
• Exploring text messaging services to
specific student audiences
• Plan to pilot a financial aid program
• Within the bounds of CACG regulations
• Survey
Program Update Cont…
• Teach Iowa Scholar
• Graduate in the top 25% academically from
postsecondary teacher preparation programs during
a corresponding academic year;
• Secure full-time employment in an eligible teaching
field (designated annually by the Department) in an
Iowa school district, charter school, area education
agency, or accredited nonpublic school that is
recognized and approved by the Department.
• Application live October 28. Deadline November 26.
College Application Campaign
• Fall, 2012 (pilot): 15 high schools
• Fall, 2013: 33 high schools
• Fall, 2014: 61 high schools
FAFSA Completion Initiative
• Assists high school administrators in determining
which students have not completed a FAFSA
• Encourage districts to implement targeted outreach
and counseling for seniors with no FAFSA or an
incomplete FAFSA
• Iowa Pilot
• Due to timing, released in May, 2014
• GEAR UP Iowa high schools
• 8 signed agreements, 4 submitted files of seniors
• 10 districts signed up for spring 2015 (more to come)
Questions?