The Condition of Higher Education in Iowa

You can access the full report from our Higher Education Data Center college_aid/2014ConditionReport.pdf 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: 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 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 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.

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 Conclusion

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. Strategic Goals

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Iowa College Aid Update Program Administration

Program Update GEAR UP Scholarship Students matched to FAFSA: 3,220 Paid fall 2014: 2,332 2 nd GEAR UP Grant 7 th 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)

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