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Scholarships

Scholarships are usually awarded without regard to financial need. Each scholarship has its own application process and selection criteria. Recipients may be selected based on specific career interests, community service, heritage, special talents, or performance in academics, music, and/or athletics. Some scholarships are one-time awards, while others are renewable for multiple years.

All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship
Students attending eligible Iowa colleges and universities may receive awards of up to $6,420* for the 2008-2009 academic year. Priority will be given to students who participated in the Federal TRIO Programs, graduated from alternative high schools, and to homeless youth. [Program Fact Sheet]

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Iowa resident who begins initial enrollment at an eligible Iowa college or university within two academic years of graduating from high school
  • Minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent
  • Enroll for at least 3 semester hours (or the trimester or quarter equivalent) in a program leading to an undergraduate degree
How to Apply:
*Maximum individual awards cannot exceed than the resident tuition rate at Iowa Regent Universities. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the average tuition rate for full-time students at Iowa Regent Universities is $6,420.

Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship
This scholarship, named after former governor Terry E. Branstad, recognizes outstanding Iowa high school seniors who have actively participated in the Iowa State Fair. Up to four scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 are awarded each year.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Actively participate in the Iowa State Fair (past or present)
  • Be a graduating senior from an Iowa high school
  • Plan to enroll at an Iowa college or university
How to apply:
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship provides renewable scholarships of up to $1,500 to Iowa high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. The competitive selection is determined by academic officials. Recipients may attend any accredited postsecondary institution in the United States.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Iowa resident/high school senior
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA and 28 ACT/1860 SAT test scores
  • Class rank in the top 10 percent
Applicants must meet specific course requirements including:
  • Two years of the same foreign language
  • Three years of social studies, science (including one year each of biology, chemistry, and physics), and math (beyond general science and pre-Algebra)
  • Four years of English
How to Apply:
  • Submit an application (PDF) (deadline for 2007-08 has passed)
  • Apply by the February 1 deadline
Robert D. Blue Scholarship
The Robert D. Blue Scholarship, named after former Iowa Governor Robert D. Blue, provides scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to Iowa students who demonstrate literary and scholastic ability; exhibit qualities of truth, courage, and fellowship; and display moral force of character. Applicants can be current high school seniors or students already enrolled at an Iowa college or university.

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Iowa resident
  • Attend or plan to attend an Iowa college or university
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following:
  • High school GPA
  • Financial need
  • References (3 are required)
  • 500-word essay
How to Apply:
  • Apply online
  • Apply by the May 10 deadline
State of Iowa Scholars
This program provides recognition to Iowa's academically outstanding high school seniors with a State of Iowa Scholars designation. There is no monetary award.

Eligbility Criteria:
  • Be scheduled to graduate from an Iowa public or non-public high school or be a home-schooled Iowa resident student
  • Rank in the upper 15 percent of your class at the end of your junior year
  • Take the American College Testing Program (ACT) test or the College Scholarship Service Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) by October of your senior year
How to Apply
  • Apply online (deadline for 2007-08 has passed)
  • Apply by the November 15 deadline
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Scholarship

Eligibility Criteria:
  • Son and/or daughter of Iowa Farm Bureau member
  • Enrolled in an accredited college, university or community college
  • High school graduate, or if still in high school must have an expected graduation date of Spring 2008
  • College freshmen, sophomore, junior or senior in a 2 or 4 year accredited college or university
  • Working toward a degree in one of the following occupational areas of agriculture and/or agribusiness: (1) Production, (2) Horticulture, (3) Sales and Service, (4) Products and Processing, (5) Forestry, (6) Conservation, (7) Mechanization, (8) Research, (9) Economics, (10) Education and (11) Ag Health (Occupational Health and/or Veterinary Science) curriculum
How to Apply:
  • Complete an application (PDF)
  • Applications must be postmarked on or before March 1, 2008
TIP: You should search for other scholarship opportunties offered by private sources. Check with your high school counselor, community, and search online.