Veterans Services
Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) is approved to process DoD Tuition Assistance for all its degree programs. FTA is available for those serving in the Armed Forces. Each branch of service has its own FTA policies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard). Those with specific questions regarding FTA eligibility should get in contact with their unit’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or counselor.
Check list for Veterans (and processes for applying for tuition assistance)
- Start the application process for Northwest Iowa Community College by clicking “apply now” on the home page (www.nwicc.edu ). If you need assistance, please contact the admissions office https://nwicc.edu/admissions/
- Have you spoken to your Educational Services Officer or counselor within your Military Service prior to enrolling at NCC?
- Request all your official transcripts from any previous college level courses taken, including your military training courses. Send them to the following email: Admissions@nwicc.edu.
- Complete the FAFSA (free Application for Federal Student Aid). Apply for government student aid at: www.fafsa.gov . The FAFSA determines student eligibility for student loans, federal grants, and state grants. The FAFSA uses your previous year’s tax records information.
For more information on financial aid, visit the financial aid page located here: https://nwicc.edu/tuition-financial-aid/ - Scholarships are another great way to help students pay for college. Visit the following link to learn more about the in-house scholarships our foundation office has for students. https://nwicc.edu/tuition-financial-aid/ncc-scholarships/
- Required documents you may need prior to applying for VA Educational Benefits or Federal Tuition Assistance (this may not be an all-inclusive list)
- State of Understanding signed by you and your commander
- Degree Plan (from Registrar’s Office)
- Class Schedule (from Self-Service)
- Student Financial Statement (from Self-Service)
- Apply for VA Education Benefits.
- To apply for one of these benefits, go to: https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/ and use the information here to learn how to apply online and to be directed to the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP)
- Complete and submit the application online. Once the VA received and processes your application you will receive a letter in the mail from the VA regarding your benefits called a “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE). The COE is what your VA School Certifying Official (SCO) needs to process your enrollment to VA, in order for you to receive your benefits.
- Please bring a copy of your COE to the Registrars Office located in Student Services. The information from the letter is used to complete the certification each semester.
- Get registered for courses!!! Keep in mind your VA SCO can only certify courses to the VA that are within your Degree Program.
8. Applying for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA):- Each service branch has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process, and restrictions. To find out how to get started, visit your unit’s Educational Services Office (ESO), or go online to your branch-specific virtual education center found below.
- Federal tuition assistance funding requests open 60 days prior to the start of the course and close 7 days prior to the course start date.
- Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard (ARNG)- Federal Tuition Assistance:
- Army Ignited: https://armyignited.cce.af.mil/student/public/welcome
- Air Force Tuition Assistance:
- Air University (AU): https://www.afpc.af.mil/Career-Management/
- Coast Guard Tuition Assistance:
- United States Coast Guard: https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/ETQC/VOLUNTARY-EDUCATION/Tuition-Assistance/
- Navy Tuition Assistance:
- Navy College Program: https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/sailors/tuition-assistance
- Marine Corps Tuition Assistance:
- Once your application and all required documents are submitted, you should get an approved authorization form. Please provide this form to the Business Office. This authorization needs to be finalized and submitted to the Business Office prior to the term start date (or course start date).
- Please Note: Students must obtain approval from their ESO, military counselor, or Service prior to enrollment in classes.
- Reminder: FTA only covers tuition and will not cover mandatory fees, books, supplies, housing, or meal plans.
- 9. Are you aware of where you can access your degree audit for your academic program? This can be found on MY PLACE (Student Portal-Ask Advisor).
- 10. Additional Resources:
• Veterans Services
• Federal and State Aid
• Tuition and Financial Aid
• Iowa National Guard
• IPEDS
Additional requirements related to obtaining credentials in a given field
Certain programs have additional requirements to earn credentials in a given field. Examples include Practical Nursing, Radiology and Health Information Technology.
Associate Degree Nursing | Associate Degree Nursing—Extended
Practical Nursing | Practical Nursing—Extended
Radiologic Technology
Health Information Technology
Medical Coding
transfer agreements
Please contact your Program Advisor regarding how NCC credits will transfer to other institutions.
Advisors – AA, Business, Health, & High School
| Program | Advisor | TRIO Advisor |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting/ Clerical Accounting | Rachel Ruba | Karinne O’Ram |
| Associate Degree Nursing | Makayla Friedel | Tracy Gorter |
| Associate of Arts/Transfer Majors – on campus and online | Kirsten Schoen Jacob Bonnett | Karinne O’Ram |
| Business – Diploma, AAS, AA | Rachel Ruba | Karinne O’Ram |
| Extended Associate Degree Nursing | Makayla Friedel | Tracy Gorter |
| Extended Practical Nursing | Makayla Friedel | Tracy Gorter |
| Health Information Technology | Makayla Friedel | Karinne O’Ram |
| High School | Jill Chedester | Karinne O’Ram |
| Information Technology Specialist – Diploma/AAS | Rachel Ruba | Karinne O’Ram |
| Medical Coding | Makayla Friedel | Karinne O’Ram |
| Paramedic/EMT | Makayla Friedel | Tracy Gorter |
| Pharmacy Technician | Makayla Friedel | Karinne O’Ram |
| Practical Nursing | Makayla Friedel | Tracy Gorter |
| Pre-Practical Nursing | Makayla Friedel | Karinne O’Ram |
| Radiologic Technology | Makayla Friedel | Karinne O’Ram |
| Pre-Radiologic Technology | Makayla Friedel | Karinne O’Ram |
| Administrative Office Management | Rachel Ruba | Karinne O’Ram |
| Web & Graphic Design Diploma/AAS | Karinne O’Ram | Karinne O’Ram |
Advisors – Applied Technology
| Program | Advisor | TRIO Advisor |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | Ashley Peters | Karinne O’Ram |
| Automotive & Light Duty Diesel – AS | Beth Sibenaller-Woodall | Karinne O’Ram |
| Diesel Technology | Beth Sibenaller-Woodall | Karinne O’Ram |
| Electrical Technology | Cameron McDonough | Karinne O’Ram |
| Engineering Design Design Technology | Sarah Pearce | Karinne O’Ram |
| Heavy Equipment & Maintenance | Beth Sibenaller-Woodall | Karinne O’Ram |
| Industrial & Commercial Wiring | Cameron McDonough | Karinne O’Ram |
| Industrial Instrumentation & Control | Cameron McDonough | Karinne O’Ram |
| Powerline Powerline Technology | Nick Wyatt | Karinne O’Ram |
| Production Welding Advanced Welding Tech | Sarah Pearce | Karinne O’Ram |
readmission of service members
Northwest Iowa Community College will promptly readmit a service member with the same academic status as he/she had when last attending the school or accepted for admission to the school. This requirement applies to any student who cannot attend due to military service. See definitions below:
Military Service — service, whether voluntary or involuntary, in the armed forces, including service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve on active duty, active duty for training or full time National Guard duty under federal authority for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. This does not include National Guard service under state authority.
Service Member — someone who is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed, applies to perform or has an obligation to perform service in the uniformed services on the basis of that membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service or obligation to perform service.
The student must notify the school of his/her military service and intention to return to school as follows:
1. The student must notify the Director of Enrollment the notification of service and notification of intent to return.
2. The student must give oral or written notice of such service to the school as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances.
3. The student must also give oral or written notice of his/her intent to return to the school within 3 years after the completed of the period of service.
Northwest Iowa Community College will admit the student with the same academic status, which means:
1. To the same program to which the student was last admitted or if the program is no longer offered, a program that is comparable to that program unless he/she chooses a different program.
2. At the same enrollment status, unless the student is readmitted to a different program or unless the students wants to enroll at a different enrollment status.
3. Same number of credit hours unless the student is readmitted to a different program.
4. With the same academic standing the student previously had unless the student is readmitted to a different program.
Return of tuition assistance
Northwest Iowa Community College has a policy that returns any unearned tuition assistance (TA) funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided to the military Service Branch. Instances when a service member stop attending due to a military service obligation, the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.
The following is NCC’s 16-week course’s unearned tuition assistance return schedule is as follows.
16-Week Courses Schedule:
Course Completion Range | Unearned TA Returned |
0 weeks (≈ 0%) – 2 weeks (≈ 13%) | 100% |
3 weeks (≈ 19%) – 4 weeks (≈ 25%) | 75% |
5 weeks (≈ 31%) – 8 weeks (≈ 50%) | 50% |
9 weeks (≈ 56%) – 9 weeks (≈ 56%) | 40% |
10 weeks (≈ 63%) – 16 weeks (≈ 100%) | 0% |
**Please note, for any courses other than 16 week courses the schedule will be different. Contact the Registrar’s Office or the Business Office for more details.
veterans educational benefits
The Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30), the Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), the Reserve Educational Assistance Program – REAP (Chapter 1607), Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31), Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Veterans Education Assistance Program—VEAP, and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) provide educational benefits for veterans attending NCC. Information concerning veterans’ educational benefits and applications may be obtained from the Registrar.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship
This grant provides awards to Iowa National Guard members. The amount of benefit awarded is based on the the state’s annual appropriations. Maximum individual awards cannot exceed the current average tuition rate at Iowa Regent Universities. Eligibility is determined by the Iowa Adjutant General and a new application must be completed each year prior to July 1 for the fall term and December 1 for the spring term.
Students must complete the online Iowa Financial Aid Application or contact the Iowa National Guard Headquarters. Students must also complete the appropriate year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid prior to the July 1 and December 1 deadlines.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Iowa resident
- Member of an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit for each term the member receives benefits
- Satisfactorily complete required Guard training
- Maintain satisfactory performance of Guard duty
- Pursue a certificate or undergraduate degree at an eligible Iowa college or university (students with BA degrees are not eligible to participate even if pursuing a second BA degree) and maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Note: A qualified individual cannot receive an INGSS award for more than 120 semester credit hours or the equivalent
Important Phone Numbers
- Veterans Affairs (VA) general information: 888-442-4551, St. Louis RPO
- Monthly Verification
- Verify on WAVE OR call 877-823-2378
- NOTE: Chapters 35 and 31 do not have to call in monthly verifications
- Iowa National Guard
- State Education Officer: 515-252-4564
Online Resources
US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Tuition Assistance Applications
- State Tuition Assistance
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) – Before submitting tuition requests for approval please contact the Business Office at NCC to be sure the tuition and fees calculations are correct for timely processing.
- State of Iowa Veterans Affairs
NOTE: Active duty military personnel and military service veterans attending a Northwest Iowa Community College, as well as their spouses and dependent children, are considered to be Iowa resident for admission, tuition and fee purposes. For further information, please contact the Registrar at 1-800-352-4907.
Tuition & Fees 2026-2027
| TUITION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RESIDENT | BORDER STATE (MN, NE, SD) | NON-RESIDENT | |
| Per Semester Credit | $220 | $225 | $235 |
| Online Per Semester Credit | $234 | $234 | $234 |
| FEES | |
|---|---|
| Student Fee (per credit for face-to-face classes only) | $12 |
| Academic Services Fee (per credit) | $9 |
| FEES PER CREDIT BY COURSE PREFIX | |
|---|---|
| ACC-ADM-AGA-AGB-AGC-AGH-AGM-AGP-AGS-AGT-ANT-ART-BCA-BUS-CFR-CLS-COM-CRJ-CSC-DRA-DSV-ECE-ECN-EDU-EMS-ENG-ENV-FIN-FLF-FLG-FLS-FLW-GEO-GLS-GRA-HCM-HIS-HSC-HSE-HSV-HUM-LGL-LIT-MAP-MAT MGT-MKT-MMS-MUS-PEA-PEC-PEH-PHI-PHS-PHY-POL-PRL-PSY-REL-SDV-SMM-SOC-SPC-WBL-WDV | $10 |
| ADN-ATR-AUT-BIO-CAD-CHM-CIS-DSL-EGR-EGT-ELE-ELT-HIT IND-MFG-NET-MLT-PHR-PNN-RAD-SER-WEL | $16 |
| HEQ-PWL-TDT | $25 |
| * Fees are applicable for all credits for which students are registered. | |
| OTHER FEES | |
|---|---|
| AWS Sense Fee: (W.Dip, PW.CER) Fall Semester Only | $25 |
| Background Check FEE: Practical Nursing Extended Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, & HIT | $68 |
| CDL Fee: TDT103 (HE.AAS, TD.AAS) | $225 |
| CNA (tuition) | $892 |
| CMA (tuition) | $499 |
| Ceramics Fee: ART163 & ART173 (per credit) | $14 |
| Credit for Prior Learning | $200 |
| Drug Testing Fee: Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment, & Powerline Students (non-refundable) Per Semester | $50 |
| Per Summer Term | $25 |
| EMT (tuition & fees) | $2,000 |
| Heavy Equipment Fee:Per Semester | $250 |
| Lab Fee: (ALDD.AAS, TD.AAS) first 5 semesters $350 non-refundable if student leaves the program/$150 refundable | $500 |
| Nursing Fee: (ATI) each semester (PN.DIP, EPN.DIP, ADN.AAS, EADN.AAS) | $603-$905 |
| OSHA Fee: MFG185 (ED.CER, ED.DIP, C.DIP, CMT.AAS, PW.CER, W.DIP) | $50 |
| Paramedic Fee: First semester only | AAS & Certificate | $995.57 |
| Rad Tech & Sonography Boot Camp: RAD322 RAD894 | $270 |
| Rad Tech & Sonography Fee: RAD206, RED894 | $173 |
| SkillsUSA/HOSA/BUS Fee: (each term – Fall, Spring, and summer) see Registrar for program and HS list | $25 |
| Cengage Unlimited | $119 |
| Digital Course Content (DCC) | Varies by Course |
Tuition & FEES 2025-2026
| TUITION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RESIDENT | BORDER STATE (MN, NE, SD) | NON-RESIDENT | |
| Per Semester Credit | $213 | $218 | $223 |
| Online Per Semester Credit | $227 | $227 | $227 |
| FEES | |
|---|---|
| Student Fee (per credit for face-to-face classes only) | $12 |
| Technology Fee (per credit for face-to-face and online classes) | $8 |
| Graduation Fee (per diploma) | $40 |
| FEES PER CREDIT BY COURSE PREFIX | |
|---|---|
| ACC-ADM-AGA-AGB-AGC-AGH-AGM-AGP-AGS-AGT-ANT-ART-BCA-BUS-CFR-CLS-COM-CRJ-CSC-DRA-DSV-ECE-ECN-EDU-EMS-ENG-ENV-FIN-FLF-FLG-FLS-FLW-GEO-GLS-GRA-HCM-HIS-HSC-HSE-HSV-HUM-LGL-LIT-MAP-MAT MGT-MKT-MMS-MUS-PEA-PEC-PEH-PHI-PHS-PHY-POL-PRL-PSY-REL-SDV-SMM-SOC-SPC-WBL-WDV | $10 |
| ADN-ATR-AUT-BIO-CAD-CHM-CIS-DSL-EGR-EGT-ELE-ELT-HIT IND-MFG-NET-PHR-PNN-RAD-SER-WEL | $16 |
| HEQ-PWL-TDT | $25 |
| * Fees are applicable for all credits for which students are registered. | |
| OTHER FEES | |
|---|---|
| AWS Sense Fee: (W.Dip, PW.CER) Fall Semester Only | $25 |
| Background Check FEE: Practical Nursing Extended Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, & HIT | $68 |
| CDL Fee: TDT103 (HE.AAS, TD.AAS) | $225 |
| CNA (tuition) | $710 |
| Ceramics Fee: ART163 & ART173 (per credit) | $14 |
| Credit for Prior Learning | $200 |
| Drug Testing Fee: Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment, & Powerline Students (non-refundable) Per Semester | $50 |
| Per Summer Term | $25 |
| EMT (tuition & fees) | $1960 |
| Nursing Fee: (ATI) each semester (PN.DIP, EPN.DIP, ADN.AAS, EADN.AAS) | $603-$905 |
| OSHA Fee: MFG185 (ED.CER, ED.DIP, C.DIP, CMT.AAS, PW.CER, W.DIP) | $50 |
| Rad Tech Boot Camp: RAD322 | $190 |
| Rad Tech Fee: RAD206 | $173 |
| Tool Deposit: (ALDD.AAS, TD.AAS) first 5 semesters | $500 |
| SkillsUSA/HOSA/BUS Fee: (each term – Fall, Spring, and summer) see Registrar for program and HS list | $25 |
| Cengage Unlimited | $119 |
| Digital Course Content (DCC) | Varies by Course |
| Paramedic Fee: First semester only | AAS & Certificate | $995.57 |
| Heavy Equipment Fee:Per Semester | $250 |
Section 103 of the Veterans Benefits & Transition Act of 2018
Northwest Iowa Community College will not impose any penalty including the assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities and/or the requirements that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Accessibility Tools