Overview and Background

The Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) is a state agency with a Governor-appointed Board of Commissioners and is the only agency in Iowa that works with all sectors of higher education. Our mission is to advocate for and support Iowa students as they explore, finance and complete educational opportunities beyond high school to increase family and community success. We view increasing college attainment as among the most effective and sustainable strategies for encouraging economic growth and fighting poverty. Iowa College Aid is a partner in the Governor’s Future Ready Iowa (FRI) initiative. LCANs directly contribute to the FRI goal that 70% of Iowa’s workforce has education beyond high school by the year 2025.

Iowa College Aid’s Community Engagement Division administers the LCAN Grant Series. Years ago, while implementing Iowa’s statewide career and college information system, Iowa College Aid identified the need to build the capacity of college attainment partnerships at the local level. To respond to this need, Iowa College Aid launched the LCAN Initiative, offering not only funding, but also consultation, training and technical assistance at each phase of LCAN development.

Through the LCAN Grant Series, Iowa College Aid supports cross-sector, CEO – level leadership teams and networks dedicated to increasing college attainment in communities across Iowa. LCAN grant funding supports staff, training and other expenses associated with creating an LCAN.