NICC Foundation Receives American Legion Grant

The Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Foundation received a $2000 grant from The American Legion of Iowa Foundation this month to support scholarships for veterans, their spouses and dependent children. The grant award offsets financial burdens for veterans, who are an increasing segment of the student population. The funding will help pay $500 in educationalexpenses for four veterans, two at each of the college's campuses in Calmar and Peosta.

The NICC Foundation received the assistance to help veterans whose Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits do not cover the full expense to attend college. One change to the G.I. Bill regulations and several VA financial aid packages resulted in a specific post-9/11 G.I. Bill. This version, or "chapter" in VA assistance, requires a minimum of three years of military service after 9/11 to receive 100 percent of the military's financial aid package for college expenses. A veteran who meets this mandate may receive full funding for tuition, fees, housing or books. Other veterans who served 18 or 24 months may only receive 60-70 percent in aid. This disparity in educational funds for veterans can create financial problems for some students, according to the NICC Financial Aid Office.

Currently, NICC serves approximately 125 veteran students, spouses and dependent children each year at both campuses and at six other centers throughout the district.

The American Legion of Iowa Foundation identified several key supports in place that currently work toward the educational success of NICC student veterans. The college's partnership with a Veterans Employment Specialist in the district, for example, helps to inform veterans of financial aid availability, services and resources that are available, educational options and career planning. This support and additional on-campus NICC services helped the NICC Foundation secure the funding, which will be awarded through 2011. These services to veterans also placed the college on the G.I. Jobs 2010 list of Military Friendly Schools.

American Legion of Iowa Foundation formally made its donation to NICC President Penny Wills and Jeff Murphy, NICC director of financial aid, on Aug. 9. Representing the American Legion were Jim Bolson, 4th District Vice Commander of the American Legion, and member Ivan Torkelson, retired president of Torkelson Motors in Elgin.

Because a vast majority of NICC graduates live, work and pay taxes in northeast Iowa, the NICC Foundation believes strongly in providing students with a quality education that prepares them to contribute to the regional workforce. The Foundation was established to help ensure educational excellence, and enhance the programs and activities of NICC through charitable giving.  For more information on how to give to the NICC Foundation, visit www.nicc.edu/foundation.