“Skills” stay in Iowa’s FY 2012 budget.

Iowa community colleges and workforce stakeholders scored a huge victory last week when they secured appropriations—totaling $10 million—for community college bridge programs and a new tuition-assistance program in the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Iowa State Budget. However, there were many twists and turns leading up to this victory. The original bill, which creates both programs, was initially filed as the Pathways for Academic Career and Employment Act and passed by the Iowa Senate in March. The bill then stalled out in the Iowa House, but advocates did not give up the fight. They convinced Iowa Senate appropriators to include both programs in the chamber’s larger education appropriations bill. That spending bill successfully passed the Iowa Senate as well, but faced another hurdle as the Governor and General Assembly leaders clashed over larger revenue generating and spending priorities. Negotiations over a final budget agreement dragged and the state faced a possible government shutdown. However, state leaders were able to broker an agreement at the eleventh hour, and appropriations for the bridge and needs-based tuition-assistance programs stayed in the final budget. With these appropriations, grants will go to community colleges to establish bridge programs and provide supportive services in consultation with economic and workforce development as well as community-based partners. A new tuition assistance program will also go into effect, and will serve students enrolled in non-credit certificate programs that are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids have relied on a similar program for years, and now students from around the state will also benefit.