FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS, DORMS, FEATURED AT
IOWA LAKES BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College received an update on the value of financial aid to students attending the college during their meeting Tuesday afternoon in Estherville.

John Beneke, Financial Aid Director, introduced three students who shared the value of receiving scholarships and grants and how important financial aid is to their decision to go to college. Beneke also reported that the college’s Financial Aid office processed approximately 2,000 Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2005-2006 academic year. Of those applicants, approximately 51 percent qualify for Federal PELL Grant assistance, and 88 percent qualify for some type of federal, state or scholarship assistance. All students who complete the FASFA application and meet some minimal eligibility criteria have the ability to utilize the Federal Stafford Loan Programs. Beneke told the Trustees that students interested in applying for financial aid may simply log on to www.FAFSA.ed.gov and complete the application for the appropriate college year.

Also, the Trustees were informed on progress on dormitories. Specifications are being drawn up for two, four-plex dorms planned for the Spencer Campus and two additional four-plex dorms planned at the housing complex in Estherville.

President Mike Hupfer announced that Jack Tatman, retiring president of the Board of Trustees, received a special award Dec. 8 in Des Moines. Tatman was named ‘Member Emeritus’ by the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees (IACCT) for his many years of dedicated service to the organization.

In other business, the Trustees accepted the fiscal year 2005 audit; approved new hires; heard reports from fellow members on committees and councils; and listened to other routine reports from staff.
The next meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006.