HBI Community: Black Hawk County

Home Base Iowa communities offer valuable incentives for veterans who relocate to their communities. For more information, please contact the community point of contact or county veteran director.

The Home Base Iowa Act positions Iowa as a leader in respect, support and employment of veterans through a public-private partnership. The Iowa Legislature passed the Act in a broad bi-partisan manner and then Governor Terry E. Branstad signed it into law on Memorial Day, 2014. The Act contains the following incentives:

• Military Pensions exempt from state income tax
• $5,000 grant toward the purchase of a home
• Permissive veteran preference in employment
• Automatic in-state tuition at state universities and community colleges for qualified veterans and their dependents
• View the complete list state veteran benefits
• 100% disabled veterans can qualify to pay no property tax

Please contact the County Veterans Office or the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs for more information.

County Veteran Offices

These should be veterans first point of contact and every county has a Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and a County Veterans Director. These offices assist veterans with compensation/pensions, medical care, military records, grave markers and veteran home loans. Some counties also have dedicated funds to assist with temporary shelter/utilities, food/health supplies, medical/dental, job placement, counseling and transportation. Visit the County Veterans Office page and click on the county of residence.  Yolando Loveless / veteransaffairs@blackhawkcounty.iowa.gov / 319-291-2512

IowaWORKS Centers

IowaWORKS Centers are committed to providing quality employment services to all military service members and their spouses. All veterans and their spouse may be eligible for priority service.  Please let a team member know upon check-in of your veteran status. IowaWORKS Centers provide a full range of job/career assistance. Individual services include:

• Career counseling and job search skills development
• Help locating employment and Registered Apprenticeship opportunities
• Academic skill testing and hands-on computer classes
• Creating resumes/cover letters and interview preparation

Iowa National Guard Services

The Warrior & Family Services Branch is a Joint Force initiative that provides assistance to all military families, regardless of branch or component, who find themselves beyond the support capability of active duty military facilities or their home units. The Warrior & Family Services Branch acts as a network that allows families to mutually support one another. By providing families with information, resources and support, the program strengthens both the unit and service members. To learn more about these services, visit the Warrior & Family Services page to learn more.

Iowa Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

The Iowa ESGR team is comprised of approximately 106 dedicated volunteers and three full-time staff members prepared to engage, inform and support employers and reserve component members throughout the state. Iowa has a proud history of outstanding employer support for reserve component members. Today’s team continues this tradition through a strong emphasis on “prevention through education.” To learn more visit the Iowa ESGR.

Non-Profit Statewide Veteran Support Organizations

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veteran organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is a community-service organization which has reached nearly three million members, men and women at almost 15,000 American Legion posts worldwide.  The American Legion Department of Iowa is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.  The Department Service Office is located in the Federal Building in Des Moines, with an additional office located in the VA Medical Center in Iowa City. Visit the Iowa Legion or email: info@ialegion.org.

An Introduction to CHAMPs

Iowa's Certified Higher Academic Military Partners (CHAMPs) offer higher education incentives to qualified veterans, their spouses and dependents. Benefits include in-state tuition rates, on-campus support, credit for military courses and special financial considerations.

Hawkeye Community College

Hawkeye Community College has several outlying centers in Cedar Falls, Independence, Grundy County, Waverly and Waterloo. Their main campus is located just outside of Waterloo, Iowa. The mission of Hawkeye Community College is a globally informed community of successful lifelong learners. As a college they will provide focus, meaning and the skills necessary for qualified individuals to live competently in their communities.

• For more information:
  • Contact: 319.296.2320 / admission@hawkeyecollege.edu
  • Website: Hawkeye Community College Veterans Page

Purdue University Global

Purdue Global is a world-class university within a world-class public university system. When it comes to balancing a career, family, and school, we know that flexibility is key. That's why we put you in control of your education, offering innovative learning options that let you choose what, how, and where you learn. As a CHAMPS institution here in Iowa, our advisors work closely with you to understand your personal learning needs. They also evaluate your academic, professional, or military experiences to give you credit for what you already know. 

Campus locations in Mason City, Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls, Davenport and Des Moines. 

• For more information:
  • Contact: 866-210-5233 / Militaryfinance@purdueglobal.edu
  • Website: Purdue Global University Veteran Webpage

University of Northern Iowa

Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa the University of Northern Iowa is a four year university that offers more that 90 majors across the colleges of Business, Education, Humanities, Arts and Sciences and Social and Behavioral sciences as well as Graduate College.

• For more information:
  • HBI CHAMPS Contact: Chiquita Loveless / 319.273.3040 / chiquita.loveless@uni.edu
  • Website: UNI Veterans Page

Upper Iowa University

Since 1857, Upper Iowa University has been preparing students to succeed—in the classroom and in the world. That rich history, coupled with a student-centered mission, has created a springboard for UIU to become a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced study.

From our Fayette Campus to our undergraduate and graduate online programs, to our 25 U.S. Centers, including Centers in Cedar Rapids,  Des Moines, the Quad Cities, and Waterloo.  UIU has the people in place to help you succeed.

• For more information:
  • HBI CHAMPS Contact: Dawn Novak / 563.425.5400 / novakd@uiu.edu
  • Website: UIU Veterans Page