Staying in Iowa after graduation could pay off.

If students do stay, they could benefit from a “zero percent loan financing” plan, said state Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson Tuesday during a press conference at Iowa State.

Pederson said Iowa will “cover the interest of all subsidized and unsubsidized loans for all graduates living and working in Iowa for five years.”

Through the “Iowa Learns” initiative, the government will work with Iowa students in an effort to keep college graduates in the state.

This plan will “expand opportunities for preschool, high school and college students,” Pederson said.

She said in today’s society, a high school diploma will not suffice. She would like to see students having at least two years of higher education.

Pederson said while getting loans for college can be a challenge, the burden of paying them back is tremendous.

“We want to make sure all qualified students can go to college and pay for it,” Pederson said.

Raye Taylor, student fees senator for the Government of th eStudent Body, said higher education is becoming a greater challenge and cost is a large factor.

” `Iowa Learns’ helps many graduates, and bridges the gap of keeping graduates in Iowa without restricting their career choice,” said Taylor, junior in zoology.

In addition, this plan will help the college work-study program, Pederson said.

Four million dollars was taken from the program, and Pederson said the “Iowa Learns” initiative will reinstate these funds as well as bring in additional funding.

“College work-study provided college students the opportunity to work and learn,” she said.

Pederson said communication between community colleges and universities will help students wanting to transfer or high school students taking college courses.

Pederson would like students to be better prepared for secondary education. She said increased communication will play a large role in helping them.

The “Virtual Academy,” part of the “Iowa Learns” initiative, will help prepare high school students for college, Pederson said. This is an online system available to eligible high school students in the state.

Though the “Virtual Academy” is not yet complete, a prototype is expected in spring.

Pederson said another goal is to have at least 90 percent of children attend preschool.

“We want to ensure a transformation from a K through 12 to a [preschool] through 16 system,” Pederson said. “We are just starting to see the positive results of focusing on a smaller class size.”

She said this initiative will build upon these positive results.

“We want to help students transition from early learning to post-secondary education,” Pederson said.

GSB President T.J. Schneider said education is Iowa’s highest priority.

“We need to increase the number of graduates and keep leaders in Iowa,” he said.

Iowa House Rep. Jane Greimann, D-Ames, said students can get involved in what’s happening in the state by voting.

“Students have a choice of how to show support and it is very important to convince your friends to get involved as well,” she said.