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Iowa Scholarships
Do you want your college experience to be the best thing since sliced bread? Iowa is the birthplace of sliced bread, and our list of Iowa scholarships could help make an affordable college experience possible! Listed below are some excellent opportunities to aid you financially on your academic journey in Iowa.
Jump ahead to:
- Iowa student loan debt snapshot
- Top Iowa scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Iowa colleges and universities
- Additional Iowa resources
- Frequently asked questions
Iowa college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Iowa residents owe $13.2 billion in federal student loan debt, with 433,300 student borrowers owing $30,464 on average (those numbers do not include private loans). Of these loan borrowers, 55.4% are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for. Keep on reading to learn more about top Iowa scholarships, as well as eligibility for merit scholarships from colleges in Iowa!
Top Iowa scholarships
Conservation Districts of Iowa scholarships
- Eligibility: Graduates from an Iowa high school or homeschool. Be admitted full-time at an accredited college or university. Major in conservation and agriculture fields. Scholarship must be used for your first year of education
- Amount: $500 – $3,000
- Deadline: Mid-February annually
Guardian Scholars Foundation
- Eligibility: Students who have spent time in foster care in Iowa between the ages of 14 – 18. Other students who live in special circumstances without the support of parents or close family may also be considered. Must have graduated high school with a2.3+ GPA.
- Amount: $8,000
- Deadline: March 1annually
Hoover Presidential Foundation Uncommon Student Award
- Eligibility: Iowa residents who are high school juniors. Must complete project proposal and application
- Amount: $15,000 – $11,500
- Deadline: March 15 annually
Home Builders Association Iowa Educational Corporation scholarship program
- Eligibility: Students aged 18 – 25 attending college and pursuing a career in the home building industry and related trades
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 31 annually
Iowa Golf Association Foundation scholarships
- Eligibility: Iowa high school seniors with background or experience in golf. Scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and leadership qualities (not on golf accomplishments or ability)
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: April 1 annually
Professional Educators of Iowa Foundation scholarships
- Eligibility: Iowa high school seniors who are pursuing a degree and career in education. Specific requirements vary based on scholarship, visit the website to learn more!
- Amount: $100 – $500
- Deadline: April 1 annually
Iowa Scholarship for the Arts
- Eligibility: Iowa high school seniors who excel and demonstrate a commitment to pursuing an education at an Iowa institution and a career in the arts
- Amount: $2,500
- Deadline: Early April annually
Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Awarded to two outstanding Iowan athletes (one female, one male). Decision made based on athlete’s character and participation in Iowa sports
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: Early April annually
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship
- Eligibility: Iowa residents attending an Iowa college or university and graduated from an Iowa high school. Must complete FAFSA by March 1. Must have an eligible expected family contribution (Eligible EFC range in 2021-22 was $0 – $9,543)
- Amount: Average $4,772
- Deadline: Apply by May 1 annually
Iowa Tuition Grant
- Eligibility: Iowa residents attending an eligible private college or university in the state. Must complete FAFSA
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: July 1 annually
Merit scholarships at Iowa colleges and universities
University of Iowa
- Eligibility: In-state and out-of-state first-years incoming to University of Iowa. Based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores
- Amount: $500 – $8,500 for in-state students; $2,000 – $12,000 for out-of-state students
- Deadline: March 1 annually
Drake University
- Eligibility: First-year students to Drake University
- Amount: $22,000 – $26,000
- Deadline: Apply to Drake University by March 1
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
- Eligibility: Iowa residents who are incoming first-years to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Must have a 3.6+ GPA or 28+ ACT score / 1300+ SAT score
- Amount: $8,000 – $12,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Iowa State University of Science and Technology
Grinnell College
- Eligibility: Merit scholarships awarded to incoming first-years whose applications demonstrated academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, demonstrated leadership, and/or special talents.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Grinnell College
Cornell College
- Eligibility: Incoming first-years to Cornell College. Decision made based on admission application
- Amount: $30,000 – $35,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Cornell College
Luther College
- Eligibility: Based on the student’s cumulative grade point average, a personal essay, and an educator’s reference
- Amount: Up to full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Luther College
Additional Iowa resources
ICAN Scholarship Database
ICAN provides resources to Iowa students to succeed in their education and career. Browse their scholarship database for a variety of local Iowa scholarships!
Iowa Financial Aid Application
The Iowa Financial Aid Application provides Iowans with an opportunity to apply for scholarships, grants, and loan repayment programs.
Iowa College Aid
Iowa College Aid is a “one-stop shopping” website for Iowa students. This state-run agency strives to make college accessible for all Iowans. Bookmark this one!
Keep Iowa Beautiful scholarships
Three $1,000 scholarships made annually to Iowa high school seniors who show respect for home, neighborhood, community, and state.
The Bright Foundation
The Bright Foundation focuses on helping Iowa students go to college and graduate debt free. They offer merit-based scholarships to high school seniors, who must apply through their high school counseling office or directly through the Iowa public community college or university they have been accepted to.
FAFSA Guide
The FAFSA deadline in Iowa is July 1 of each year (it opens October 1). For help with the FAFSA, check out our FAFSA guide for step-by-step assistance.
Frequently asked questions
Does Iowa offer free college?
There is not a state-sponsored scholarship program in Iowa that offers completely free college. However, there are several state-sponsored programs, such as the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship and Iowa Tuition Grant.
