Foundation offers local students full ride to Iowa Western

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A new initiative of the Iowa West Foundation is giving 45 Pottawattamie County students the chance to attend Iowa Western Community College for free.

The Daily Nonpareil (http://bit.ly/1Fks5rO ) reports that Pottawattamie Promise aims to help future first-generation college students who qualify for a federal Pell grant, and those students who would not have considered college a possibility without assistance. The program will be piloted for three years in the Council Bluffs and Riverside community school districts.

"We know that many kids who are in the middle are getting lost in the shuffle who don't have access or the right system to be ready for a postsecondary education," said Iowa West President Pete Tulipana.

The foundation estimates about 400 students in Pottawattamie County are falling into the gaps between existing education support systems. Initiative leaders hope to sponsor 110 students at the end of the second year of the program, and then expand to 165 students for the 2017-18 school year.

Each student will receive a scholarship that pays for tuition, room and board at the college. Advisors will also keep students on track with attendance and coursework.

Iowa Western President Dan Kinney said about three-fourths of its student stay in the area. He said the college is providing staff as well as scholarship money to support the initiative.

"We're excited about this project because of the contribution that it can make to the economy and to the regional workforce," he said. "This learning community environment will not only increase the chances of success but will provide these students with a real college experience."

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Information from: The Daily Nonpareil, http://www.nonpareilonline.com

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