Section 261.61. Barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant program.

  1.  A barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant may be awarded to any resident of Iowa who establishes financial need and is admitted and in attendance as a full-time or part-time student in a course of study at an eligible school.

  2.  All classes identified by the barber school or school of cosmetology arts and sciences as required for completion of a course of study required for licensure as provided in section 158.8 or required for licensure as provided in section 157.10, shall be considered a part of the student’s barber or cosmetology course of study for the purpose of determining the student’s eligibility for a grant. Notwithstanding subsection 3, if a student is making satisfactory academic progress but the student cannot complete the course of study in the time frame allowed for a student to receive a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant as provided in subsection 3 because additional classes are required to complete the course of study, the student may continue to receive a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant for not more than one additional enrollment period.

  3.  A qualified full-time student may receive a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant for not more than four semesters or the trimester or quarter equivalent of two full years of study. A qualified part-time student enrolled in a course of study including at least three semester hours but fewer than twelve semester hours or the trimester or quarter equivalent may receive barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grants for not more than eight semesters or the trimester or quarter equivalent of two full years of full-time study. However, if a student resumes study after at least a two-year absence, the student may again be eligible for the specified amount of time, except that the student shall not receive assistance for courses for which credit was previously received.

  4.  a.  The amount of a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant to a qualified full-time student shall not exceed the lesser of one thousand two hundred dollars per year or the amount of the student’s established financial need.

  b.  The amount of a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant to a qualified part-time student enrolled in a course of study including at least three semester hours but fewer than twelve semester hours or the trimester or quarter equivalent shall be equal to the amount of a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant that would be paid to a full-time student, except that the commission shall prorate the amount in a manner consistent with the federal Pell grant program proration.

  5.  A barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant shall be awarded on an annual basis, requiring reapplication by the student for each year. Payments under the grant shall be allocated equally among the semesters or quarters of the year upon certification by the institution that the student is in full-time or part-time attendance in a course of study at a licensed barber school or school of cosmetology arts and sciences. If the student discontinues attendance before the end of any term after receiving payment of the grant, the entire amount of any refund due that student, up to the amount of any payments made under the annual grant, shall be paid by the institution to the state.

  6.  If a student receives financial aid under any other program, the full amount of that financial aid shall be considered part of the student’s financial resources available in determining the amount of the student’s financial need for that period.

  7.  The commission shall administer this program and shall:

  a.  Provide application forms for distribution to students by Iowa high schools, licensed barber schools and schools of cosmetology arts and sciences, and community colleges.

  b.  Adopt rules for determining financial need, defining residence for the purposes of this section, processing and approving applications for grants, and determining priority for grants.

  c.  Approve and award grants on an annual basis.

  d.  Make an annual report to the governor and general assembly. The report shall include the number of students receiving assistance under this section.

  8.  Each applicant, in accordance with the rules established by the commission, shall:

  a.  Complete and file an application for a barber and cosmetology arts and sciences tuition grant.

  b.  Be responsible for the submission of the financial information required for evaluation of the applicant’s need for a grant, on forms determined by the commission.

  c.  Report promptly to the commission any information requested.

  d.  Submit a new application and financial statement for reevaluation of the applicant’s eligibility to receive a second-year renewal of the grant.

  9.  For purposes of this section, “eligible school” means a barber school licensed under section 158.7 or a school of cosmetology arts and sciences licensed under chapter 157. An eligible school shall be accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States department of education and shall meet the criteria in section 261.9, subsection 1, paragraphs “d” through “g”. An eligible school shall report promptly to the commission any information requested.

2008 Acts, ch 1181, §32

C2009, §261.18

2014 Acts, ch 1061, §16

C2015, §261.61