Due to limited funding, the state is only soliciting applications from teachers who graduated from a preparation program in 2023-24, 2024-25 or 2025-26 this cycle, with awards up to $4,000 a year.
By Hola Iowa
Applications for the 2026-27 Teach Iowa Scholar Program open Sept. 1 and close Oct. 31. The program pays qualified teachers up to $4,000 a year. Teachers can receive that amount for up to five years, as long as they work full time in an Iowa school with a designated shortage.
Funding is limited for the 2026-27 cycle. As a result, the Iowa Department of Education is only accepting applications from teachers who graduated from a preparation program in 2023-24, 2024-25 or 2025-26.
Iowa is only accepting recent graduates this year
To qualify, a teacher must meet several requirements. First, they need to have graduated from a program that led to an initial teaching license on or after Jan. 1, 2013. Second, their college or university must certify that they ranked in the top 25% of that year’s graduating class. Simply adding an endorsement through extra coursework does not qualify a teacher on its own.
Applicants also need full-time employment for the 2026-27 school year in a designated shortage area. In addition, they must hold an Iowa teaching license with the matching endorsement. Finally, they need to submit their application by Oct. 31.
Renewing recipients and rural teachers get priority
Because funding is tight this year, Iowa will award money in a specific order. Teachers renewing a TIS award go first. Next come teachers who work in rural school districts. After that, Iowa residents working full time in shortage areas get priority. Then non-Iowa residents in those same areas get their turn. Within those last two groups, Iowa prioritizes recent graduates and high-need shortage fields.
Awards can reach $4,000 a year for up to five years
Teachers who get an award choose how they receive it. They can send the money directly to their student loan servicer as a lump sum, or they can take the payment themselves. However, direct payments count as taxable income, so the state will send a 1099-MISC form for tax purposes. Once a teacher picks a payment method, that choice is final.
Key details
- Application opens: Sept. 1, 2026
- Application deadline: Oct. 31, 2026
- Award: up to $4,000 per year, up to 5 consecutive years
- Eligible graduates: 2023-24, 2024-25 or 2025-26 teacher preparation program graduates only
- Requirement: top 25% academically, Iowa teaching license with matching endorsement, full-time employment in a designated shortage area
- How to apply: Iowa Financial Aid Application (IFAA)
- Contact: 877-272-4456, option 3
Teachers can apply through the Iowa Financial Aid Application starting Sept. 1. They can also review the full list of teacher shortage areas for 2026-27 to confirm their subject qualifies.
Related: Des Moines back-to-school guide: Free supplies, backpacks and 2026 start dates
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