Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SF 2076: A bill for an act relating to a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at accredited private institutions and regents institutions for students during student teaching experiences in the state.

This bill requires Iowa public universities and private colleges participating in the state's tuition grants program to waive tuition and mandatory fees for education students during their student teaching semester. It directly affects teacher education students in their final year of training, who must complete a full-time, supervised teaching experience under a licensed instructor. The key provision mandates institutions to adopt this waiver policy as a condition of their participation in the Iowa tuition grants program, defining "student teaching" as the final-year clinical teaching experience. The policy applies only to the specific semester of student teaching, not the entire degree program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives tuition/fees for teacher education students during student teaching, reducing financial barriers for future educators and aligning with teacher support and access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 11, 2026

HF 2226: A bill for an act relating to the bachelor of science in nursing program at the university of Iowa, including priority for admission and reporting requirements.

HF 2226 requires the University of Iowa's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to accept at least 80% of students who graduated from Iowa high schools. It mandates admission priority for these Iowa high school graduates and requires applicants to state whether they graduated from an Iowa high school or plan to work in Iowa after graduation. The university must submit annual reports to Iowa lawmakers showing acceptance rates for Iowa applicants and brief reasons for denials (while keeping personal data confidential under federal privacy laws). This bill directly affects nursing program applicants and the University of Iowa's admissions process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates admission priority for Iowa high school graduates in nursing program, expanding local access to higher education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HSB 531: A bill for an act prohibiting an increase in the amount of tuition and mandatory fees charged to resident undergraduate students at regents institutions for a period of time and including effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) from raising tuition or mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students starting immediately upon enactment and continuing through July 1, 2031. It directly affects resident undergraduate students at these institutions by preventing any tuition or fee increases during this period. The key mechanism requires the Board of Regents to enforce this freeze, with the prohibition automatically ending on July 1, 2031. The bill takes effect as soon as it is signed into law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents tuition hikes for in-state undergrads at Iowa regents institutions, enhancing affordability and access to higher education without funding cuts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2132: A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.

HF 2132 would require Iowa's public universities (regents institutions) to waive all tuition and mandatory fees for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify, veterans must apply for admission, have exhausted all other federal or state financial aid (like Pell Grants or VA education benefits), and not receive other assistance covering their tuition costs. The bill mandates that institutions prorate the waiver to cover only the gap between other aid received and the full tuition/fees amount. This policy directly affects eligible veterans seeking higher education at Iowa's public universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waiver for veterans with disabilities, expanding access to higher education at public institutions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransWaives tuition/fees for veterans with 100% service-connected disability, requiring institutions to cover costs after other aid is exhausted. Directly expands educational benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 19, 2026

HSB 533: A bill for an act authorizing community colleges to offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree.

This bill, the REACH Act, allows Iowa community colleges to offer bachelor's degree programs for the first time, directly affecting students seeking four-year degrees without transferring to a university. To qualify, programs must address high-demand local job needs (verified by employers and job vacancies) and require in-person or hybrid instruction - not entirely online. Community colleges must follow state oversight rules for these programs, and Iowa residents enrolled in them pay up to 150% of standard community college tuition rates. The bill amends existing law to expand community college offerings while ensuring alignment with regional workforce demands.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees for high-demand jobs, expanding access to four-year degree pathways without university transfer, directly increasing educational opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Iowa · House Apr 1, 2026

HF 2209: A bill for an act providing for the admission of students to the Iowa state university of science and technology college of veterinary medicine.

HF 2209 requires Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine to admit at least 80% of students who are Iowa residents or attended eligible Iowa colleges. It prioritizes applicants planning to work in Iowa rural communities (under 25,000 people) and specialize in mixed-animal veterinary care. Applicants must disclose their Iowa background and career intentions in their applications. The university must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing admission statistics and reasons for rejections.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates 80% Iowa resident admissions for vet med college, prioritizing rural veterinary care access, expanding higher education opportunities in targeted fields.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prioritizes veterinary medicine workforce development in rural areas, supporting healthcare access through medical professionals as part of healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SF 2094: A bill for an act relating to computer science and artificial intelligence education, including high school curricula and graduation requirements, practitioner preparation programs, and college admissions, and including applicability provisions.

This bill requires all Iowa public and nonpublic high schools to include one semester of computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education in their graduation requirements, beginning with the 2030-2031 graduating class. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, schools must offer AI and computer science courses meeting state standards that cover AI concepts, ethics, societal impact, and foundational skills. The bill also mandates a statewide plan for teacher training by 2027, especially for smaller schools, and establishes online course options for districts. Additionally, it modifies science and math graduation units to allow limited AI instruction to count toward requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AI/computer science curriculum in all high schools, requiring ethics and societal impact education, advancing educational content standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates AI/computer science education in all Iowa high schools, requiring graduation credits and ethics-focused curricula starting 2023-2024, advancing tech literacy and education standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2012: A bill for an act authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program.

HF 2012 allows Iowa residents with intellectual disabilities enrolled in approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs to access the state's tuition grants program. These programs, approved by the U.S. Department of Education, provide academic, career, and independent living instruction. Eligible students may receive grants covering up to two semesters of resident tuition and mandatory fees annually for a maximum of eight semesters. The grants are paid at the start of each semester by the educational institution, with refunds required if a student withdraws after receiving payment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling students with intellectual disabilities in approved postsecondary programs to receive tuition grants, directly enhancing funding and opportunity for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2026

HF 2225: A bill for an act creating a new graduate nonresident tuition tax credit available against the individual income tax, and including retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2225 creates a tax credit for Iowa residents who paid nonresident tuition at state universities and later work in the state as health care professionals, teachers, licensed veterinarians, or professional engineers. The credit equals 100% of the difference between the nonresident and resident tuition rates they paid during their studies, available within three years of graduation while employed in Iowa. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years to offset future income tax, but it is not refundable and does not apply to nonresidents. The bill requires the Board of Regents to publish historical tuition rates online and applies retroactively to tax years starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 100% tuition difference tax credit for eligible Iowa professionals, reducing their income tax liability and incentivizing retention in key public sectors. Direct tax relief measure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTargets teachers as eligible for tuition tax credit, incentivizing retention in Iowa education sector through financial relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education

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passed · Iowa · House Mar 6, 2026

HF 2242: A bill for an act prohibiting an increase in the amount of tuition charged to resident undergraduate students at regents institutions for a period of time and including effective date provisions.

HF 2242 prohibits Iowa's regents-controlled public universities from raising tuition for resident undergraduate students starting upon the bill's enactment and continuing until July 1, 2031. This directly affects in-state undergraduate students at institutions like the University of Iowa, Iowa State, and others under the state board of regents. The key provision requires the board of regents to enforce a tuition freeze during this period, with the prohibition automatically ending on the specified date. The bill takes immediate effect once signed into law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents tuition increases for in-state undergrads, improving affordability and access to higher education at regents institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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