Scholarships in Iowa

Updated December 1, 2022 · 5 Min Read

When one considers the significance the state of Iowa has played in the history of higher education, it is no wonder whatsoever how or why scholarships in Iowa are readily available help state residents of modest means. Iowa has widespread acclaim for being the catalyst of America's high school movement. It was a major revolution ...

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When one considers the significance the state of Iowa has played in the history of higher education, it is no wonder whatsoever how or why scholarships in Iowa are readily available help state residents of modest means.

Iowa has widespread acclaim for being the catalyst of America's high school movement. It was a major revolution and monumental paradigm shift for its time that commenced around 1910 when the first of what are now called secondary schools appeared within Iowa's borders. That impressive accolade is actually only one of many prominent points that prove Iowa's progressive academic attitudes. During eras when women doctors did not dare apply for hospital privileges or admission to medical associations, University of Iowa opened in 1870 by welcoming female students with open arms. As word spread like wildfire, ladies who aspired to become doctors came from all across the U.S. to U of I to realize lifelong dreams and career success. Likewise, U of I was among the first of U.S. higher learning institutions to hire and aggressively recruit African American students and faculty. Not to mention setting an example that led to and end of racial segregation in college dorms across the nation.

Considering such notable footnotes in educational history, it comes as no surprise that Iowa schools currently have the 3rd highest rate of four-year high school graduation and 12th lowest student/faculty ratio in the land. This backdrop gives bright scholars residing in the Hawkeye State good cause to take pride and keep eyes wide open for every opportunity to get pecuniary backing for scholastic advancement. A perfect beginning point of focus is the partial list of college scholarships in Iowa featured below.

1. 2 Plus 2 Transfer Scholarship - University of Iowa

Deadline: March 1 - summer or fall semester
October 1 - spring semester

Annual awards of $1,000, renewable for one year, are made to 25 incoming transfer students with associate's degrees from participating Iowa community colleges. Candidates must enroll in U of I's Early Registration program before graduating from community college and by accepted for admission by U of I.

No separate application form is required, as eligible students are automatically considered. Minimum grade point average and curricular checkpoints are applicable, based on specific U of I major.

Contact

2 Plus 2 Transfer Scholarship - University of Iowa
Office of Admissions
107 Calvin Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: 319-335-1569
Email: https://www.uiowa.edu/2plus2/contact/request-info.htm

2. AFE Cedar Valley Chapter #132 Scholarship

Deadline: Contact sponsor

The Association for Facilities Engineering Cedar Valley Chapter #132 makes awards that vary in number and amount to engineering students at accredited Iowa institutions. Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in an associate or bachelor's degree program, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, work in the facilities maintenance or facilities management field, and be a U.S. citizen and Iowa resident.

Contact

AFE Cedar Valley Chapter #132 Scholarship
Gerald Hagen, Chapter President
Email:
Interested candidates may also get more details from their guidance counselor.

3. Ag Business or Econ Scholarship for Incoming Freshman - Iowa State

Open date: January 16
Deadline: July 1

Incoming freshmen majoring in agricultural business receive awards of $250. Although no specific minimum criteria are stated, influential selections factors are listed as high school GPA and class rank, ACT or SAT score, demonstrated leadership potential, extracurricular activities, personal essay and financial need.

Contact

Ag Business or Econ Scholarship for Incoming Freshman - Iowa State
Department of Economics Undergraduate Programs
174 Heady Hall
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: 515-294-5436
Email:

4. Byers Environmental Scholarship

Deadline: January 10

Keep Iowa Beautiful is a joint sponsor and the administrator of this program that makes awards of $1,000 to several Iowa graduating high school seniors annually. Applicants must enroll in an Iowa institution and major in an environmental or community enhancement field.

Learn more and download an application for any of these scholarships in Iowa at https://www.keepiowabeautiful.com/grants/byers.

Contact

Byers Environmental Scholarship
Gerald F. Schnepf, Executive Director
Keep Iowa Beautiful
300 E. Locust St, Ste. 100
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Phone: 515-323-6507

5. Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: July 20

Sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. and administered by the Iowa Games, this memorial scholarship awards $1,000 to one female and one male Iowan each year. As of the academic year immediately prior to this writing, eligible applicants were high school juniors required to apply all funds toward post-secondary education. Primary factors of consideration were Iowa Games participation, moral character, sportsmanship, citizenship, responsibility and fairness exhibited by applicants.

Contact

Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship
The Iowa Games
1421 S Bell Ave. #104
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 1-888-777-8881
Email:

6. Iowa 4-H Scholarships

Deadline: February 1

The Iowa 4-H Foundation sponsors 69 different scholarships that make annual awards ranging from $500 to $3,500 to assist deserving Iowa 4-H members obtain higher education. Although specifics vary somewhat, all current and future undergraduate students must enroll full-time and may receive only one scholarship per year. Only one application form is required to be considered for all available awards.

Contact

Iowa 4-H Scholarships
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-3630
Phone: 515-294-1537
Email:

7. Beth Brotherton Blum Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Deadline: Contact institutional office

Established by the parents of named honoree and alumnus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA, this memorial fund makes annual awards in varying amounts to students attending its nominee's alma mater. Applicants must demonstrate good academic standing, full-time enrollment and financial need.

Learn more at https://www.bvu.edu/alumni/give/named-scholarships.dot#ixzz2qzsf4Prf.

Contact

Beth Brotherton Blum Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Buena Vista University Office of Financial Assistance
Phone: 800-383-2821, ext. 2164

8. Jacobson Companies Scholarship

Deadline: February 1

This fund makes annual awards in varying amounts to Iowa State University undergraduate students majoring in logistics, operations and management information. For specific eligibility criteria, contact office listed below.

Contact
Jacobson Companies Scholarship
Pat Wiederholt
College of Business Union Pacific Undergraduate Programs Office
Iowa State University
1200 Gerdin Building
Ames, IA 50011
2330 Gerdin Business Building
Phone: (515) 294-8106
Email:

9. Tom & Corrine Lonergan Scholarship

Deadline: Contact institutional office

This fund awards $1,500 annually to an outstanding student in Iowa State's Animal Science Department. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, demonstrated interest in animal science studies and preferably, financial need.

Contact

Tom & Corrine Lonergan Scholarship
Department of Animal Science 1221 Kildee Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: (515) 294-2160
Email:

10. ASSISt - Adult Student Scholarships at Iowa State

Deadline: January 22

This fund makes one-time annual awards to mature Iowa State students equal to approximate cost of books and supplies for an academic semester. Applicants must be at least 24 years old as of application deadline, not enter directly after high school, non-spouse legal dependents, attend at least half-time and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Contact

ASSISt - Adult Student Scholarships at Iowa State
Penny Rice, PhD, Director
Margaret Sloss Women's Center
203 Sloss House
Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: (515) 294-4154
Email:

11. Alumni Dairy Food Scholarship

Deadline: January 15 for priority consideration and no later than May 1

These annual scholarships in Iowa are made in varying amounts to full-time incoming freshmen at Iowa State's College of Agriculture. Applicants must pursue a career in the dairy industry, enroll in at least 12 credit hours and declare a primary major offered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Applications must be submitted online no earlier than September 1 immediately prior to initial enrollment.

Contact

Alumni Dairy Food Scholarship
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
20 Curtiss Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: (515) 294-6614
Email:

12. Floyd E. Bell & Viola Rheam Bell Scholarship

Deadline: March 1

Annual awards in varying amounts are available to worthy entering freshmen in Iowa State's Colleges of Human Sciences and Engineering. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic accomplishment and financial need, by virtue of Free Application for Federal Student Aid data.

No separate application form is required, as students who file a FAFSA by March 1 are automatically considered by the Iowa State Office of Student Financial Aid.

Contact

Floyd E. Bell & Viola Rheam Bell Scholarship
Office of Student Financial Aid
0210 Beardshear Hall
Ames, IA 50011
Phone: (515) 294-5627
Email:

13. Educational Partners in Covenant Matching Grants

Deadline: August 1

Luther College in Decorah, IA makes annual matching grants of up to $750 in funds contributed by each recipient's home congregation. Membership in a home congregation enrolled in EPIC that provides educational funding is the sole eligibility criterion and condition of grant renewal for up to eight semesters.

Learn more at https://www.luther.edu/financialaid/prospective/scholarships/epic/.

Contact

Educational Partners in Covenant Matching Grants
Luther College
Janice Cordell, Financial Aid Director
Main 27
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1018
E-mail:

14. George Washington Carver Scholarship

Deadline: Contact institutional offices listed below

These renewable awards are $11,000 to $15,000 for incoming freshmen and transfer students at Simpson College in Indianola, IA and full-tuition for entering freshmen at Iowa State. All candidates must identify on admissions application as American Indian, Alaskan Native, African American, Asian American, Hispanic, Latino, multiracial, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

In addition, Iowa State applicants must file a FAFSA, have a high school class rank among the top 25 percent or minimum 3.5 GPA and a composite ACT score of 24 or combined math/reading SAT score of 1100.

Contact

George Washington Carver Scholarship
Iowa State Multicultural Student Affairs
Phone: 515-294-6338
Also see https://www.dso.iastate.edu/msa/prospective-students/GWC.

Simpson College Financial Assistance
Phone: 515-961-1630
Email:

15. Swine Industry Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

Via collaborative efforts of Iowa's Pork Producers Association, Pork Foundation and Purebred Swine Council, numerous annual awards of $1,000 to $2,500 are made to agricultural students. Although eligibility criteria vary, a common threshold requirement is demonstrated interest in the pork industry.

Contact

Swine Industry Scholarship
P.O. Box 71009
Clive, Iowa 50325
Phone: 800-372-7675 or 515-225-7675
Email:

16. AFS Twin City Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: October 4, subject to change annually

Foundry Education Foundation makes annual awards in varying amounts to Northern Iowa residents. Applicants must also be citizens or permanent residents of North America, attend an FEF school and meet FEF Student Guidelines.

Contact

AFS Twin City Memorial Scholarship
Foundry Educational Foundation
31695 Penny Lane
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 847-490-9200
Email:

17. Matthew Shepard Scholarship

Deadline: Contact sponsor

Sponsor and anti-discrimination group Eychaner Foundation makes renewable annual scholarships in Iowa of up to $10,000 to entering freshmen at U of I, University of Northern Iowa or Iowa State. Applicants must be graduating Iowa high school seniors, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, minimum ACT score of 22, be openly gay, bisexual, lesbian or transgender, and of high integrity.

Contact

Matthew Shepard Scholarship
To apply, visit The Ultimate Guide to Affording College

Filed under: Scholarships in Iowa

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