Do you have a GED/Adult Secondary Education/Adult Basic Education program?
Check out our High School Completion (GED) program.

Do you offer summer courses? Do you have Fast Track courses?
Yes, click here to see what is available.  Course Schedules

Do you offer coaching certification classes?
The courses that are needed for a coaching endorsement or a coaching authorization are:
Coaching Ethics, Techniques and Theory – 1 Credit
Athletic Development and Human Growth – 1 Credit
Body Structure and Function – 1 Credit
Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries – 3 Credits
OR
Athletic Injury Prevention – 2 Credits

Do you offer English as a Second Language/English Literacy?
Yes, the emphasis is on English for daily living and on-the-job language requirements.  Classes are available in Emmetsburg, Estherville and Spencer. 

Apply Online                 Admissions

Simply submit a completed Iowa Lakes application form and have a transcript of high school work or GED certification sent to Iowa Lakes. 

If you have attended any other college, you need to make a written request to  that college and have them send an official transcript directly to Iowa Lakes.

There is no application fee required.
Admissions

Iowa Lakes provides assessment services to all freshmen. These assessments guide you into appropriate academic courses.   Academic Assistance

The two major campuses are now located at Emmetsburg and Estherville. Additional campuses are located in Algona, Spencer and Spirit Lake.

The Emmetsburg Junior College was merged in 1970, which gave Iowa Lakes two major campuses in the area. The Emmetsburg college had been operated since 1930 by the Emmetsburg public schools. The Emmetsburg Campus is in the northwest part of Emmetsburg at 3200 College Drive. Vocational-technical, career option, and liberal arts programs are offered at the Emmetsburg Campus.

The Estherville Campus is located in the eastern part of Estherville at 300 South 18th Street. Facilities constructed since 1972 serve liberal arts, career option and Vocational-technical programs.

The Spencer Campus began operating in the mid 1970s. It is located at Gateway North 1900 Grand Avenue and includes facilities for day, evening, and weekend college liberal arts courses, allied health and office programs, a computer lab, community education services, a learning resource center, the main offices of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and the area Small Business Development Center.

A facility in Algona was purchased in late 1986 and has been developed into a college campus with facilities for day and evening liberal arts courses, community and education services and a learning resource center. The Algona Campus is located just north of the city at 2111 U.S. Highway 169.

The Spirit Lake Campus opened in 1984. In 1995 the campus moved into new facilities and an addition was added in 2001 at 800 21st St. The campus houses day, evening, and weekend college, liberal arts courses, a computer lab, leadership management course's, community services, education services and a learning resource center.

Athletics, Clubs and Organizations, Intramural Sports, Music Department, ASPIRES, Student Government, Publications/Communications, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Algona, Spencer, Spirit Lake and Okoboji

Click on the following link for updated tuition and fees for attending Iowa Lakes Community College. 

Tuition & Fees  (Tuition and fees are subject to change.)

What about students who are undecided about a career path?
If you have questions about any of the following Choosing a career, Changing your major, Personal concerns, Academic advising, Registering,  Transferring to another college, or Job seeking skills, check out our Counseling Services 

Are there any services available to single parents?  Students in gender non-traditional career programs?   
ICSW/Perkins.  These programs offer convenient access to a number of resources and programs, many of which are grant-funded and provided free of charge.  They provide assistance to anyone looking for a new directions, singles, gender equity, parenting, underemployed, unemployed, and job skills, among others. 

Associate in Arts- to graduates of Liberal Arts two-year programs

Associate in Science- to graduates of Career Option two-year programs

Associate in Applied Science - to graduates of two-year Technical programs

Diplomas - to graduates of vocational programs of less than two years

Certificates - for completion of certain course sequences and some community and continuing education courses and programs

What are the academic credentials of your faculty?
Professors who teach classes that transfer must have at least a master’s degree.  If you go to our Faculty Schedules page, you can learn about all of our faculty and their credentials. Faculty Schedules & Web Pages

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send the completed application to the federal processing center in the envelope provided, or apply online.  Title IV code for Iowa Lakes is 001864. (The FAFSA is available at Iowa Lakes or any high school guidance office.)   Priority consideration is given to those who apply before March 1.

Loans & Grants

Subsidized Loan

A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need.  If you qualify for a subsidized loan, the federal government pays interest on the loan ("subsidizes" the loan) until you begin repayment and during authorized periods of deferment thereafter.  Financial Aid

Unsubsidized Loans

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need.  If you qualify for an unsubsidized loan, you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.  You can choose to pay the interest or allow it to accumulate.  If you allow the interest to accumulate it will be capitalized - that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and will increase the amount you have to repay.  If you pay the interest as it accumulates, you will repay less in the long run.  Financial Aid

Partnership Loans

The Partnership Loan Program is an education funding opportunity that is a partnership between students, participating schools, and the Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation (ISLLC).  The Partnership Loan Program was designed to provide loans to students and families who do not qualify for adequate amounts of state and federal student aid.  Loan funds must be used for educational expenses (tuition, room, board, computer) as determined by the college.  This program was initiated by ISLLC in conjunction with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. (ICSAC Iowa College Student Aid Commission).  The loans are disbursed and serviced by ISLCC.  Financial Aid

Pell Grant

A federal Pell grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.   Pell grants are only awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree.  (A professional degree would include a field such as pharmacy or dentistry.)  For many students, Pell grants provide a foundation of financial aid which other aid may be added.  Financial Aid

FSEOG

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional need, that is, students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC), and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.   FSEOG doesn't have to be paid back.  Financial Aid

Work Study

The Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduates and graduate students with financial need. They can earn money to help pay education expenses.  The program encourages work related to your course of study.  Financial Aid

Food Service provides daily nutritional meals to students, faculty, and staff on the Emmetsburg, Estherville and Spencer campuses. It also provides several types of meal-plans for students, especially those housed on-campus. Food Service also provides food and beverages for special events.   Housing & Food Service

Is there Internet in the dorms?
High Speed Wireless Internet is available in each dorm room.  You do need to furnish your own computer if you want one in the dorms.  Housing & Food Service

Are your dorms handicap accessible?
Yes, students with specific housing needs should identify their particular needs when returning the on-campus housing application.

How can I become a Resident Assistant?
Talk with the housing director on the campus you plan to attend.

Do you arrange for off campus housing?
Many Iowa Lakes students live off-campus in private apartments, rooms, and rental homes.  The conditions of rental vary with the landlord.  Contact the Housing Offices at Emmetsburg and Estherville for current lists of housing available year round.  Housing & Food Service

Housing lists give addresses of housing, landlord preferences, costs and other information to help you decide where to live. Costs for off-campus vary from $150 to $275 a month per person, depending on the individual situation and whether or not utilities are provided. Utility costs, deposits and contract requirements, distance from the college, and furnishings are some of the factors you need to keep in mind as you look for off-campus housing.

Iowa Lakes eagerly accepts international students from all regions of the world and actively recruits them through the Youth for Understanding International program. Once here, international students become active participants in a variety of activities at the college and in local communities. An International Student Club helps students become part of the college community.

How do international students apply for admission?

If you are applying to Iowa Lakes from a country other than the United States of America, you will need to complete a special application form, which you can get from the Iowa Lakes admission office. Send official transcripts from all secondary schools or higher education sources you have attended directly to the admission office.

Include notarized translations for all non-English language records. Include specific dates of school attendance on the transcripts. Students whose native language is not English must submit evidence of their English proficiency by a score of 200 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International students must submit evidence of financial ability to meet college and living expenses during the first year of attendance. You must follow visa regulations of the U.S. Department of Immigration and Naturalization.

Employment Opportunities, www.CollegeSportsCareers.com,

·         Trudy Kattner is the Dean of the Algona campus
·         Tom Brotherton is the Executive Dean of the Emmetsburg campus
·         Mary Larscheid is the Executive Dean of the Estherville campus
·         Kitty Conover is the Dean of the Spencer campus
·         Darin Moeller is the Dean of the Spirit Lake campus.

Clicking on the following link will give you up to date information on all of our scholarships, how to apply for them, and what their deadlines are.  Scholarships Available

How many students receive scholarships?

68 percent of those applying receive at least one scholarship.  Approximately $640,000 is awarded annually.  Scholarships Available

The Student Senate is the elected governing body for the students. Through its work, students can participate in the operation of the college. The Senate's objectives are:
·         to provide comprehensive activity programs for the student body,
·         to address issues brought before it by the students represented, to encourage interaction between students on the various campuses,
·         to provide leadership in issues of citizenship and student rights, and
·         to administer the student activity fee (with the consent of the board of directors of the college). 
Student Government

Click here to see what four-year colleges we offer at our campuses.
Bachelor's Degree Completion Programs

Complete your bachelor's degree at home!
Briar Cliff University, Buena Vista University, University of Iowa, College of Nursing

What college transfer programs do you have at Iowa Lakes Community College?
Click here to see the over 50 college transfer programs that we offer. College Transfer

Eligibility for educational benefits can be extended to veterans, members of the selected Reserves or National Guard. In addition children or spouses of service connected deceased or totally and permanently disabled veterans under one of the following programs. 

·         Montgomery G.I. Bill
·         Veterans’ Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program
·         Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program
·         G.I. Bill for Dependent
·         Montgomery G.I. Bill for Reservists