Future Ready Iowa: How the Last Dollar Scholarship Makes Online LPN Training Free
Iowa's Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship changes the entire financial calculation for hybrid LPN students. The scholarship covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees at all 15 Iowa community colleges after Pell Grants and other aid are applied — and nursing is a designated high-demand field, meaning LPN students qualify automatically. The math: Pell Grant covers most tuition, Last Dollar covers the rest. Total out-of-pocket for many students: $0. That's not a marketing gimmick — it's state legislation designed to fill Iowa's healthcare workforce gap, and it applies to hybrid programs where you complete theory online and clinicals in person.
DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) serves the state's largest metro with hybrid scheduling. Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids puts you in the Iowa City corridor — home to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, one of the top academic medical centers in the Midwest, which accepts community college nursing students for clinical rotations. Iowa Western CC in Council Bluffs gives you Iowa's free tuition with access to the Omaha, Nebraska healthcare market across the Missouri River — your NLC license works in both states. UnityPoint Health (Iowa's largest system) and MercyOne both recruit from community college programs. Average salary is $54,360/year with cost of living 10% below the national average.
Hybrid LPN Schools in Iowa
Programs listed offer online or hybrid theory with in-person clinical hours at Iowa locations. Always verify current enrollment status with each school directly.
Iowa LPN Licensure Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Iowa Board of Nursing |
| Program Accreditation | Must be state board-approved |
| Minimum Clinical Hours | 380 hours |
| Licensure Exam | NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE) |
| Background Check | Required prior to clinical placement |
| CPR Certification | Required before clinical start |
| Drug Screening | Required by most clinical partner facilities |
| Immunizations | Per program/facility requirements |
LPN Salary in Iowa
Licensed Practical Nurses in Iowa earn competitive wages. Average annual salary is $59,640 ($28.67/hour). Salaries vary by region, experience, and employer type.
- Des Moines: $62,400/year
- Cedar Rapids: $60,200/year
- Top employers: LTC facilities, home health agencies, physician offices
After gaining experience as an LPN, many Iowa nurses pursue bridge programs. Learn about LPN-to-RN pathways →