The Iowa War Orphan Tuition Assistance program helps pay educational costs for orphaned children of Iowa veterans. Payment is limited to $600 per year, with a lifetime limit of $3,000.
Who Qualifies?
The program applies to children of veterans who died during active federal military service. Veterans are residents of Iowa who were honorably discharged and served in one of the following conflicts:
- World War I, between April 6, 1917, and November 11, 1918.
- Occupation of Germany from November 12, 1918, through July 11, 1923.
- American expeditionary forces in Siberia from November 12, 1918, through April 30, 1920.
- Second Haitian suppression of insurrections from 1919 through 1920.
- Yangtze service with the Navy and Marines in Shanghai or in the Yangtze Valley from 1926 through 1927 and 1930 through 1932.
- China service with the Navy and Marines from 1937 through 1939.
- World War II service between September 16, 1940, through December 31, 1946.
- Korean Conflict service between June 25, 1950, through January 31, 1955.
- Vietnam Conflict service between February 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975.
- Lebanon or Grenada service from August 24, 1982, through July 31, 1984.
- Panama service from December 20, 1989, through January 31, 1990.
- Persian Gulf conflict service from August 2, 1990, through the date the President or Congress of the United States declares a cessation of hostilities.
- Former members of the reserve forces of the United States who served at least twenty years in the reserve forces after January 28, 1973, and who were discharged under honorable conditions. However, a member of the reserve forces of the United States who completed a minimum aggregate of ninety days of active federal service other than training and was discharged under honorable conditions, or was retired under Title X of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
- Former members of the Iowa National Guard who served at least twenty years in the Iowa National Guard after January 28, 1973, and who were discharged under honorable conditions. However, a member of the Iowa National Guard who was activated for federal duty, other than training, for a minimum aggregate of ninety days, was discharged under honorable conditions, or was retired under Title X of the United States Code shall be included as a veteran.
- Former members of the active, oceangoing merchant marines who served during World War II at any time between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, both dates inclusive, who were discharged under honorable conditions.
- Former members of the Women’s Air Force service pilots and other persons who have been conferred veteran’s status based on their civilian duties during World War II in accordance with federal Pub. L. No. 95-202, 38 U.S.C.} 106.
The child must:
- Be no older than 30.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent training.
- Have lived in Iowa for at least two years before applying.
- Attend an Iowa educational institution approved by the Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs.
Who can apply?
Requirements are listed in the Iowa War Orphans Educational Assistance Instructions. See the "Eligibility" section beginning on page two of the file.
What does the program pay for?
- Tuition
- Food and lodging
- Books and supplies
- Lab, or similar type, fees
- Other reasonably necessary expenses (to be approved by the Iowa Commissions of Veterans Affairs)