New grant applications are now being accepted by Iowa College Aid to help develop Local College Access Networks (LCAN. This funding opportunity is a four-year grant that brings together community partners to address postsecondary attainment and workforce needs and is intended to be used as seed funding for locally driven collaborative measures. 

Year 1 applications for fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) will be accepted on Iowagrants.gov through May 15. These multi-year grants will have a renewal process at the beginning of each new year. LCANs on average receive $50,000 annually.

Local community partners are invited to participate in the LCAN grants. Examples of partners needed for an LCAN application include: 

• Community colleges
• Area private colleges
• PK-12 school districts
• Area education agencies
• Chambers of commerce
• Community action agencies
• Community foundations
• County or city elected officials
• Economic development agencies
• Traditionally underserved communities/populations
• Faith communities
• Major employers
• Nonprofit organizations
• Public libraries
• Service organizations
• Workforce development agencies
• Sector boards

Initiatives that focus on serving specific populations in Iowa are encouraged to apply. 

For more information on the LCAN grant opportunity, visit the Iowa College Aid webpag. Other inquiries can be directed to Anne Thomas at anne.thomas@iowa.go or Megan Sibbel at megan.sibbel@iowa.go.