2022 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. 

Member Scholarship

ICA is excited to announce the availability of two $2,500 scholarships to be awarded to a student whose parent or guardian is currently employed by or serving as a director of an Iowa Communications Alliance “Active Member” Company. This application is also open to any student who is a current employee of an ICA Active Member Company.  

New for 2022, we have expanded the applicant eligibility to include both high school seniors and current fulltime undergraduate college/university student who will be continuing their undergraduate education in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Applicants must satisfy all of the following:

  • Be a graduating high school senior or a current fulltime undergraduate college/university student who will be continuing their undergraduate education in the 2022-2023 academic year
  • Have a parent or guardian currently employed by or serving as a director or be a current employee of an Iowa Communications Alliance “Active Member” Company as defined in the Iowa Communications Alliance bylaws.
  • Be accepted by or enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college/university or vocational school.
  • Have a least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a 4.0 on a 5.0 scale for a cumulative grade point average.
  • Express an interest to live and work in a rural community following graduation.

Complete Scholarship Application Guidelines are available here.  Please review the guidelines before starting your application.  
Click here to access the online scholarship application form.  The application deadline is March 4, 2022.  

 

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.

 

Congratulations to the 2021 ICA Scholarship Recipients

   

Left photo:  Ellie Caylor of Forest City High School and Mark Thoma, CEO at Winnebago Cooperative Telecom Association 
Right photo:  Jensen Orr of Midland High School and Kyle Manders, General Manager at Bernard Telephone & Communications

         

 

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.