HBI Community: Scott County

Veterans who put their boots – and roots – in Scott County now may be eligible for up to $8,250 in relocation incentives after the county’s new designation as a Home Base Iowa (HBI) community. 

$1,500 home purchase incentive from Scott County Scott County provides this incentive to qualifying veterans living outside of the county who purchase a home in Scott County. *Closing Date must be on or after 8/1/21.

$1,500 home purchase incentive from the City of Davenport the City provides this incentive to qualifying veterans living outside of Davenport who purchase a home in Davenport. *Closing Date must be on or after 8/1/21.

Interview expenses reimbursement Scott County will reimburse qualifying Veterans living outside the county with up to $250 per visit, up to two times, for hotel and meal costs incurred while interviewing for a job with an employer in Scott County.

$5,000 state tax credit Qualifying Veterans can receive this tax credit, provided through the State of Iowa, when they purchase a home in Iowa through the Iowa Finance Authority’s Military Homeownership Assistance Program. The credit is awarded at the time of closing. To be approved, the Veteran’s lending institution must be affiliated with the Iowa Finance Authority.

*To Qualify for State grant: A veteran must have served 90 days active duty between August 2, 1990, and April 6, 1991, or September 11, 2001, to present. Go to iowafinance.com for further details

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.

Davenport

You may be eligible for these incentives: 

Up to $3,000 closing costs reimbursement: The City of Davenport provides $1,500 closing cost reimbursement to qualifying veterans living outside of Davenport who purchase a home in Davenport. Plus, Scott County provides $1,500 closing cost reimbursement to qualifying veterans living outside of the county who purchase a home in Scott County.  

Interview expenses reimbursement: Scott County will reimburse qualifying veterans living outside the county with a maximum of $250, up to two times, for hotel and meal costs incurred when interviewing for a job with an employer in Scott County. 

$5,000 tax credit: The credit is available for qualifying veterans purchasing a home within Scott County, provided through the State of Iowa, which is awarded at the time of closing. To be approved, the veteran’s lending institution must be affiliated with the Iowa Finance Authority.

Homes purchased on or after August 1, 2021, are eligible. 

Bettendorf

You may be eligible for these incentives: 

$250 reimbursement for City services: The City of Bettendorf provides a $250 reimbursement credit to qualifying veteran homebuyers when they sign up for City services (such as garbage and recycling collection). 

Up to $900 reimbursement for a home warranty: The City of Bettendorf will provide reimbursement up to $900 when qualifying veteran homebuyers provide a purchase receipt of a home warranty.  

For City of Bettendorf incentives, homes purchased on or after September 21, 2023, are eligible. 

$1,500 closing costs reimbursement: Scott County provides this incentive to qualifying veterans living outside of the county who purchase a home in Scott County.  

Interview expenses reimbursement: Scott County will reimburse qualifying veterans living outside the county with a maximum of $250, up to two times, for hotel and meal costs incurred when interviewing for a job with an employer in Scott County. 

$5,000 tax credit: The credit is available for qualifying veterans purchasing a home within Scott County, provided through the State of Iowa, which is awarded at the time of closing. To be approved, the veteran’s lending institution must be affiliated with the Iowa Finance Authority.

For Scott County incentives, homes purchased on or after August 1, 2021, are eligible.

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.  

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.

Eastern Iowa Community College

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges includes Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges. Stretched along the banks of the Mississippi River, the district covers all of Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine and Scott Counties, as well as parts of Cedar and Louisa Counties. The mission of Eastern Iowa Community College is to deliver high-quality education and training that prepares a skilled workforce, provides affordable access to higher education and builds and strengthens our communities.

• For more information:
  • Contact: eiccinfo@eicc.edu / 800-462-3255
  • Website: EICC 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

St. Ambrose University

We offer more than 60 majors with the flexibility to mix majors, minors, and electives to match your interests. What's more, our spirited community is known for its athletics, special events, and outstanding residence halls. SAU students are inspired by our Catholic intellectual tradition and commitment to social justice. In fact, they volunteer thousands of service hours every year - and more than 150,000 hours in the past year alone! St. Ambrose University is committed to helping students from all financial backgrounds achieve their dreams of gaining a quality education. Many families believe that they will not qualify for financial aid, but almost 90 percent of St. Ambrose undergraduate students receive financial aid assistance.

• For more information:
  • HBI CHAMPS Contact: Natalie Woodhurst / woodhurstnataliem@sau.edu / 563.333.5721
  • Website: St Ambrose 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

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.