Pottawattamie Promise, an Iowa West initiative, is an innovative partnership among area foundations, Pottawattamie County school districts, and Iowa Western Community College. This unique partnership is focused on transforming a community by affording students an opportunity to earn credentials that will help in acquiring a well-paid job after graduation.  Iowa West Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, and Iowa Western Community College are minimizing barriers by providing last-dollar scholarships to qualifying students.

Last-dollar scholarships are essentially full-rides. Designed to cover costs not paid for by federal grants and private scholarships, last-dollar scholarships assist in paying for tuition, fees, and books for up to two years at Iowa Western.  In addition, participants of the program will receive individual support and guidance while at Iowa Western to ensure successful degree completion.

To be eligible for the Promise Program, students must meet the following criteria: Be a high school sophomore, on-track to graduate, 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA, on-track to take college-level statistics or technical math during senior year, have successfully completed math track needed (passed Geometry A and currently enrolled in Geometry B), meet citizenship requirements to receive Federal Financial Aid, and are interested in completing a two-year degree program or postsecondary certificate at Iowa Western Community College. 

If you were mailed a letter asking to apply for Pottawattamie Promise, please fill out an application and a financial information form on our website: https://www.iwcc.edu/promise. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2021. We encourage you and your student to attend an information meeting (virtual) to further explore the application process and ask questions. 

If you have any questions about this exciting opportunity, please contact Jordan Valla at jvalla2@cbcsd.org