2024 Iowa Communications Alliance Scholarship Opportunities

Our mission is to assist students from rural areas across Iowa with financial assistance to pursue higher education and to stay in rural Iowa after graduation. 

Each year, ICA awards two $2,500 scholarships to students whose parent or guardian is currently employed by or serving as a director of an Iowa Communications Alliance “Voting Member” Company.  Students submit an application, and the recipients are selected through a review process conducted by the ICA Scholarship Committee.  

The 2024 Scholarship Program has concluded.  The application for the 2025 scholarships will be available in late December. 

 

Congratulations to the 2024 ICA Scholarship Recipients

    

Left photo:  Andy Randol, Panora Fiber General Manager, with Scholarship Recipient Mia Waddle of Panorama High School
Right photo:  Scholarship Recipient Savannah Sexton (front row, middle) with members for the Liberty Communications Staff Team.  Savannah is a student at Central College. 
 

Please note, ICA has eliminated the traditional scholarship program that had previously awarded a scholarship to a student who was a customer of an ICA member telecommunications company.

Next Gen Scholars Program

The Iowa Communications Alliance Next Gen Scholars program was created in response to our member companies need for skilled technicians. This program is available to students planning to pursue either the Network Technology - Telecommunications Certificate or the Network Technology - Telecom/Data Communications AAS Degree.  The process begins with recruitment, followed by an application and approval process. After the candidates are approved, the Iowa Communications Alliance, a sponsoring ICA member company, DMACC, and student split the tuition costs for the program.  The sponsoring company may offer a mentoring program including paid or unpaid internship opportunities while the student attends DMACC.  Successful completion of the DMACC program usually qualifies graduates for an interview at the sponsoring company with a competitive salary and excellent advancement potential, though there is no guarantee of employment. 

Next Gen Scholars Program Benefits
For the Students include:
  • Apply real-world skills and experience to classroom instruction
  • Receive support for education expenses
  • Be considered for full-time employment
For the Sponsoring Company include:
  • Access to motivated students who possess a wide range of skills and potential to complete a rigorous academic and experiential curriculum.
  • Opportunity to observe students’ skills and work habits for a possible full-time job after graduation.
  • Improve the pipeline of skilled workers for employment
Next Steps for Companies:
  1. Talk to your local School Counselors.
  2. Publicize this program and recruit students in your community.  
    1. Click here to download a flyer that you can share with your local schools and high school students.
    2. Click here to download a Frequently Asked Questions document to share with students.
  3. Contact the Iowa Communications Alliance to let us know of your initial interest.
Download the Next Gen Scholar Application
Submit your application by email to: [email protected]
Or by mail to:   
Iowa Communications Alliance                                                                       
Attn:  Melissa Primus                                                                       
4201 Westown Parkway, Suite 130                                                                       
West Des Moines, IA 50266 

 

In addition to this application, the student must also apply for acceptance to DMACC.