Scholarship Opportunities

The Citizens Scholarship awards a monthly prize of $2,500 and a grand prize of $15,000. Both students and their parents/sponsors can enter*! No essays, no report cards—just a couple easy steps and you’re entered. The Citizens Scholarship is giving away $2,500 every month to students and parents. If you don’t win this month, you could win next month and you’re automatically entered for the annual grand prize of $15,000. With all that, you’re made ready for success.

More information and application

Deadline: July 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
 

High School Prevention Magazine offers a scholarship to high school seniors who write the best essay on preventing abuse. More information and application: Here. There is no DEADLINE to submit the essays! We accept essay submissions year-round!

Regional and National scholarships of $1,000 -- $20,000, selection based on excellence in leadership, academics, activities, service/volunteer.  

More information and application

Deadline: September 30

Scholarships of varying amounts for seniors who are members of the National Honor Society. Selection includes academics (GPA and Test Scores), volunteer and service, and leadership. Recommendations and essays are required.  NHS Advisor must enter a verification code prior to students applying.  

More information and application

Application opens: September 16
Deadline: November 26
 

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship awards a $2,000 college scholarship to 30 Iowa high school students each year. All participants experience two online tools to help them understand ways to reduce borrowing to pay for college and receive emailed tips on planning and paying for college.

More information and application

Opening September 4
Deadline: December 2

Profile in Courage Scholarship Essay Contest: Scholarships based on original student essays about political leaders who have demonstrated courage. 

More information and application

Opening September 1. 

Deadline: January 17

Multiple scholarship programs offering scholarship assistance to seniors and juniors based on academic achievement, leadership and students who have overcome difficulties/obstacles.

Application opens: December 1
Deadline: March 15

More information and application
 

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.

More information and application

Deadline: October 31
 

Scholarships for seniors – selection based on school and community service/volunteer and activity; leadership of a project that benefits others; has overcome personal challenges.

Information and application

Opening October 2024
 

Eligibility:

• Be a current high school senior, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States and show financial need.
   
• You do not have to be a member (or the dependent of a member) of the Elks to qualify.
   
• High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
   
• Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.

More information and application

Deadline: November 12

Distracted driving, including due to texting and other cell phone use, is a serious issue that leads to hundreds of thousands of accidents and injuries in the United States each year. The problem is especially prominent among teen and young adult drivers, and teens are also at a greater risk of being the victim of a distracted driving accident.

At Kanoski Bresney, we want to support students who do their part to fight the problem of distracted driving. Through the Kansoki Bresney Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship program, we are offering five scholarships, in the amount of $1,000 each, to students in the U.S. who are pursuing higher education at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Eligibility:

• You are a high school senior who will be starting your college or university education in 2025.

• You are a U.S. citizen.

• You have a current overall GPA of at least 3.0.

More information and application

Deadline: November 13

Veridian Credit Union Scholarship Program will award $2,000 scholarship to a high school senior.

Incoming Freshman- is open to any high school senior who will be an incoming freshman in the 2025-26 academic year and is enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or vocational program.
 

Eligibility

A. Entrants must have a Veridian account established in their own name and be a

member in good standing at Veridian.

B. Veridian staff, directors and their immediate relatives are not eligible.
 

More information and application

Opening November 2024

Scholarships of varying amounts for seniors who are members of the National Honor Society. Selection includes academics (GPA and Test Scores), volunteer and service, and leadership. Recommendations and essays are required.  NHS Advisor must enter a verification code prior to students applying.  

More information and application

Application opens: September 16
Deadline: November 26
 

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship awards a $2,000 college scholarship to 30 Iowa high school students each year. All participants experience two online tools to help them understand ways to reduce borrowing to pay for college and receive emailed tips on planning and paying for college.

More information and application

Opening September 4
Deadline: December 2

The Lamber-Goodnow Injury Law Team (an award-winning personal injury law firm serving Phoenix, Denver & Chicago) awards several academic scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of programs and schools. Winners also get a free, one-hour consultation with a college admissions counseling firm that can help show winners how to get into a top college. Follow the links below to find out more about each of our scholarship opportunities:

• College Scholarship – Two for $1,000 each

• Nursing Scholarship – One for $1,000

• Law School Scholarship – One for $1,000

• Medical School Scholarship – One for $1,000

• Physical Therapist / Occupational Therapist Scholarship – One for $1,000

• Summer College Scholarship – One for $1000

• Summer Law School Scholarship – One for $1000

More information and application

Deadline: December 1

Multiple scholarship programs offering scholarship assistance to seniors and juniors based on academic achievement, leadership and students who have overcome difficulties/obstacles.

Application opens: December 1
Deadline: March 15

More information and application
 

The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that may be used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2023 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply (current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major.

More information and application

Deadline: December 11

North American Van Lines, one of the leading moving companies in the United States, is committed to supporting the community as well as the growth and development of the moving services and logistics industries. We believe education is the best way to ensure our industry has qualified professionals for years to come. Because of this belief, we are proud to announce our first annual Logistics Scholarship contest. Three lucky qualified entrants will each win a $1,000 scholarship towards their degree in logistics or supply chain management at the college or university of their choice.

More information and application

Deadline: December 15

Profile in Courage Scholarship Essay Contest: Scholarships based on original student essays about political leaders who have demonstrated courage. 

More information and application

Opening September 1. 

Deadline: January 17

Profile in Courage Scholarship Essay Contest: Scholarships based on original student essays about political leaders who have demonstrated courage. 

More information and application

Opening September 1. 

Deadline: January 17

Each year, the U.S. Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Foundation grants $1,500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education at an accredited post-secondary college or university.  Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited vocational or industrial school. The number of grants awarded annually is at the discretion of the Foundation and must be used for educational expenses in the first year of full-time study. Checks awarded will be made out in the name of the recipient and the educational institution of the recipient’s choice

More information and application

Deadline: January 17

The MVP scholarship is a four-year, full tuition award for 100 Iowa high school students who identify as people of color or who have participated in a federally funded Educational Talent Search or Upward Bound program. More than just a scholarship, it's a learning community of students all beginning a journey toward future careers and long-lasting legacies of excellence. 

More Information and application

Deadline: February 1
 

Principal Financial Group® is inviting high school students in the U.S. to participate in the EVERFI Black History Month Challenge, a first-of-its-kind national scholarship competition to inspire students and spark critical conversations. The challenge runs through the month of February and was created by EVERFI, an innovator in social impact education, to help students in grades 9-12 understand the Black experience through perspectives, successes, and struggles. Students will complete four digital lessons and compete in a capstone essay contest, in which they’re invited to share a plan for fostering conversation about Black history in their communities year-round. EVERFI will award a total of $20,000 in scholarships to three winners of the challenge. More information and application: Here. Deadline: Feb 1-28.

Scholarships for seniors planning a career in an area of the newspaper industry. 

More information and application

Deadline: February 14
 

The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that may be used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2023 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply (current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major.

More information and application

Deadline: December 11

Entrants must be a GreenState member “in good standing” prior to submitting a scholarship entry form. Note: Entrants must be the primary owner of a GreenState account to qualify for consideration.  Membership of a parent or guardian of the entrant is not sufficient.

Entry Requirements

• Entrants must complete and sign the official entry form.
• Entrants must submit an official high school transcript.
• Entrants must submit one letter of recommendation.
• Entrants must write an original essay up to 500 words on the following topic:
• Tell us about your volunteer experience and why it is important to you.

More information and application: Here. Deadline: February 29

$5000 scholarships for students planning to attend the University of Iowa – eligibility criteria include: must be of the Protestant faith, resident of the State of Iowa, and plan to attend University of Iowa full-time. Selection includes good academics and character. 

More information and application

Deadline: March 3
 

The Hagan Scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters, providing recipients with the opportunity to graduate college debt-free. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must graduate from a public, private, charter, magnet, or STEM high school
• Must have achieved 3.5 GPA
• Must enroll in eligible college or university the first semester following graduation
• Must maintain a 4 year or less graduation schedule
• Must work 240 hours prior to commencement of the fall semester in college
• Applicants Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2022 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000.

Applications are due by March 1st, 2024. 

The Jim Hallihan Character Legacy Scholarship was created by his family in memory of a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, coach and friend. Jim believed that good character was even more important than grades, success in sports, or excelling in other talents. He believed in mentoring young people and often talked about the biblical principle of how challenges in life create perseverance which builds character and leads to hope.

The scholarship will provide applicants with the opportunity to share some of those challenges and experiences where their character was tested, and they prevailed with good decisions and caring actions. We hope to provide opportunities for first generation college students and/or underrepresented populations on a college campus. Through stories and narratives, the focus will be on community service, volunteering, involvement in religious organizations and schools, and references of good character.

For online Application: Here. Applications open on January 5, 2024. Deadline: March 1, 2024. 

Scholarships for seniors who plan to pursue some type of automotive-related education. More information and application here: here. Deadline: March 1

Iowa United Methodist Foundation has over 100 scholarships available for the 2021-2022 school year. There are scholarships specifically for graduating high school seniors, general scholarships for students going to non-Methodist colleges, scholarships for students going to United Methodist colleges and seminary scholarships designated for individuals following the call to join the ministry. Information and application: Here. Scholarship applications are open December 1 – March 1 annually.

Open to current high school juniors in eastern Iowa, this program offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills and earn a 4-H Scholarship. You do not need to be a current Iowa 4-H member to apply for the Leadership Scholarship program. For current High School Juniors- Hills Bank Leadership Grant, applicants will also need 2 letters of recommendation from either a community member, employer, or volunteer and from a school teacher or academic advisor. Within the application is a section to send the request to each reference for a letter to be submitted on your behalf.  Please begin your application in a timely fashion to give your references time to submit their letter. More information and application: Here.  Deadline: March 1

Ten $1,000 academic scholarships and scholarships for students planning to pursue Industrial Arts/Technology/Trade careers in college.  More Details and Scholarship Application: Here.  Deadline:  March 2

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) is pleased to offer two scholarship programs this year – a scholarship program for students pursuing a post-secondary program with a utility focus and a general scholarship program for children or grandchildren of IAMU member employees. $2,000 scholarship will be distributed to the educational institution. 

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:

• Live in a residence that is a verified customer of an IAMU member or attend a high school that is a verified customer of an IAMU member. If you are unsure whether your local area is an IAMU member, contact your city hall.
• Be a 2023 graduating high school senior or have previously graduated from high school.
• Be attending a post high school education program located in Iowa in the fall of 2023.

More details and information: Here. Deadline: March 6

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) is pleased to offer two scholarship programs this year – a scholarship program for students pursuing a post-secondary program with a utility focus and a general scholarship program for children or grandchildren of IAMU member employees. $500 will be distributed to the educational institution.  

• To be eligible for consideration, candidates must:
• Attend college/technical school within the state of Iowa.
• Have a parent/grandparent/legal guardian who is an employee of an IAMU-verified member.
• Have a 3.0 minimum GPA.

More details and information:Here.  Deadline: March 6

The Rotarians Supporting Women Committee was established in 2016 within the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club. It is our hope that the recipient of this scholarship will use the opportunity-for post-high school education, to develop new skills that can be used to live the ideal characteristics of Rotary.

Eligibility- To be eligible to apply, an applicant must be a woman who wishes to continue her education. Students must be planning to attend an accredited trade, vocational, secondary school, college or university. Applicants must be a Johnson County resident at the time of application, and will be attending a school or program in Iowa. While this is open to all people, strong preference will be given to those pursuing vocational and/or trade programs. There will be no discrimination in the selection of the recipient with respect to race, religion, creed, color, or Rotary membership of relatives. Information and application: Here. Deadline: March 7

For a student to be eligible for the scholarship program, they must be graduating from high school in 2024 and their parent/guardian must be an Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative member. 

Applications are due by March 11th, 2024. 

Multiple scholarship programs offering scholarship assistance to seniors and juniors based on academic achievement, leadership and students who have overcome difficulties/obstacles.

Application opens: December 1
Deadline: March 15

More information and application
 

FFBC awards annual scholarships to outstanding Iowa high school seniors who fight homophobia and educate their schools and/or communities about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) issues. Academic excellence, extracurricular activities and community involvement also factor into the awards.  The scholarships are $3,000 each. The number of awards varies each year based on the number and quality of applicants and the funds available.  Applicants must be Iowa residents.

More Details and Scholarship Application: here. Deadline: March 15

The Autism Society of Iowa has four different college scholarship opportunities for students who are on the autism spectrum or who plan to work in the field of autism upon completion of their post-secondary education. More information and application:Here.   Deadline: March 15

 This $1000 scholarship is a one-time award, designed to assist first-generation college/university students who are pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Applicants must satisfy the following criteria to be eligible to apply for this scholarship:

• Be a senior at a Johnson County public high school
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Be a first-generation college student
• Plan to attend a 2-year or 4-year college or university
• Plan to major in a STEM field

More information and application: here. Deadline: March 15

This $2,000 scholarship is a one-time award, designed to assist senior high school students who are pursuing a degree in Education from a post-secondary institution in the state of Iowa.

More Details and application: here. Deadline: March 15

The Outstanding Youth in Agriculture Scholarship is a one-time, $2,500 award designed to support students who have shown leadership and interest in agriculture and who will continue to study and/or work in a field related to agriculture. The application includes a one-page essay on future goals and barriers to achieving those goals.

More information and application: here. Deadline: March 15

The Kearns-Cooper family Scholarship is an annual  $2000 scholarship that is renewable for up to 4 years. The scholarship is available to seniors who are planning to enroll in accredited colleges or universities. Students need to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 while receiving the scholarship. More information and application: Here. 

Each year, the Chapter selects up to two individuals to receive a one-time $1000 scholarship. Applicants must be a resident of Iowa and have been accepted to or enrolled as either an online or resident student in a nationally or regionally accredited college, university or vocational/technical school. Applicants must major in a field of education promoting a career in one of the following professions or area of study: Fire Service, Fire Science, Law Enforcement, Law, Fire Protection Engineering, Fire Protection Technology or Insurance. 

More information and application: Here.

This $2,500 scholarship is a one-time award, designed to assist senior high school students who are pursuing post-secondary education or a trade school program or certification.

More information and application: here. Deadline: March 15

The Svatos Engineering Endowed Scholarship is a one-time, $500 award to one student. The application includes a one-page essay on personal interest in engineering and barriers which may prevent the student from becoming an engineer.

More information and application: here. Deadline: March 15

9th-12th grade students may enter for a chance to earn one of the 45 $1,000 deposits into a College Savings 529 account. 

Visit www.iowastudentloan.org/enter by March 29, 2024.

The SFM Foundation/Kids Chance provides scholarships to students whose parents were killed or seriously injured in workplace accidents while working for Minnesota or Iowa' employers. Scholarships are awarded up to a maximum of $10,000 a year, and are renewable for two years for a 2-year program, and up to 5 years for a bachelor’s degree. More information and application: Here. Deadline: March 31

LULAC Councils will award scholarships to qualified Latino students who are enrolled or are planning to enroll in accredited colleges or universities in the United States. Awards start at $250. Awards of $500 and under are disbursed on July 15th; awards over $500 are disbursed in two equal payments on July 15th and January 15th. All awards are sent to the local LULAC Councils for distribution to recipients. Scholarships may be used for the payment of tuition, academic fees, room, board, and the purchase of required educational materials & books. A student may not accept more than one LNESC-sponsored scholarship award in a given academic school year. More Details and Scholarship Application: Here. Deadline: March 31

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship awards a $2,000 college scholarship to 30 Iowa high school students each year. All participants experience two online tools to help them understand ways to reduce borrowing to pay for college and receive emailed tips on planning and paying for college.

More information and application

Opening September 4
Deadline: December 2

The Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award is a $10,000 scholarship program for Iowa high school juniors. The program is designed to attract students who are motivated and community minded. The award, which honors Herbert Hoover, an Iowa native and the 31st President of the United States, identifies approximately 15 Iowa high school juniors who propose and then accomplish projects of their own design. The projects the students propose should demonstrate the values that Herbert Hoover exemplified in his life of public service.

Grades, test scores, essays, and financial need are not evaluated. Each of the 15 finalists will receive a $1,500 cash award at the completion of the program. Four of those could earn an additional $10,000 scholarship each, for a total of $11,500!

More information and application: Here. Deadline: April 1

The Cedar Valley Detachment of the Marine Corps League is pleased to offer a $500 Scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year. The applicant or the applicant’s sponsoring relative must be eligible for regular membership in the Marine Corps League.  The sponsoring relative may be a parent, sibling or grandparent.  This includes step-parents, step siblings and step grandparents.

More information and application: Here. Deadline: April 1

CNA Free Training provides free training materials for those preparing to take the CNA exam, which is a requirement in order to become a licensed CNA. We have free practice tests for each section of the CNA exam, as well as supplemental training materials that can be used while taking CNA classes – all of which are free. Information and application: Here. Deadline: April 2

In honor of former Iowa State University basketball player Brian Pearson, who died of brain cancer in the fall of 1997, the Iowa Games began awarding the Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship in 1998. One $1,000 scholarship annually will be awarded to one male and one female Iowan. Throughout the selection process, the degree of participation in the Iowa Games will be given consideration, as well as the applicant’s display of character. Eligible recipients for the 2021 scholarship are those students who will be in their junior or senior year of high school during the 2023-24 school year. More Details and Scholarship Application: Here. Deadline: April 3

The Iowa City Area Association of REALTORS® (ICAAR) Scholarship Foundation is happy to announce the opening of applications for the 2023 ICAAR Community Service Scholarship Program. We have designated $4,000 to be split between multiple recipients that are graduating seniors at high schools within the ICAAR service area (Cedar, Iowa, Johnson,  Washington and Muscatine Counties). The student must attend school in one of the aforementioned counties. More information and application:Here.  Deadline: April 14

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Must be a resident of Johnson, Washington, Iowa or Cedar Counties in Iowa or family of a member of The Greater Iowa City Area Home Builders Association
2. Must be enrolling in, or attending if graduated in December, an accredited post-secondary school

More Details and Scholarship Application: Here.  Deadline: April 15

The 2024 Student View Scholarship Program is offering over $14,000 worth of scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend a four year college, community/junior college or career school. The program includes:

• One $10,000 scholarship
• Two $1,000 scholarships
• Five $500 scholarships

Log on to www.studentview.com and complete the application survey by April 23, 2024. 

The ArtShare Scholarship supports the development of outstanding high school students who excel in the arts and who plan to pursue educational programs leading to a career in the arts. This includes, but is not limited to, Art Education, Art History, Ceramics, Design, Jewelry and Metal Arts, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Veridian will award one $2,000 scholarship.

Eligibility

• The ArtShare Scholarship is open to any high school student classified as a senior, with a projected graduation date of 2021 and planning to attend an accredited undergraduate or vocational program.
• Applicants must have an account established in their own name and be a member in good standing at Veridian Credit Union.
• Veridian Credit Union staff and directors and their immediate relatives are not eligible.

Information and application: Here.  Deadline: April 26

The Bertell family is pleased to announce a scholarship in Matt Bertell’s name. Matt Bertell was born and raised in Iowa City. Matt graduated from West High School in Iowa City in 2016. Matt loved bowling and bowled all 4 years of high school on the West High bowling team. After graduation from West High, Matt went on to the University of Iowa, where he was a Sport Management Major, and also bowled competitively on the University of Iowa Bowling Club team.

The Scholarship will be awarded annually, with at least one $1,000 award, or two $500 awards (to multiple recipients). Additional scholarship awards will be presented any year when additional funds are available for distribution. The scholarship award decisions will be made and communicated by May 3rd each year, with tuition payments made directly to the attending institution(s) that fall (August/September), before the tuition payments are due. Additional information is available here and the scholarship application is available here.

Deadline: April 30

The Ag Coop Safety Directors of Iowa Scholarship is open to high school Seniors looking to go on to a career in an Agriculture or Safety related field and must be planning to attend college/university during the upcoming school year. Applicants will be required to fill out a simple application and submit an essay on “What does Ag Safety mean to you?”. One letter of recommendation from a non-family member is also required.

More information and application: Here. Deadline: April 15

The DREAM Iowa Scholarship was established in 2018 and is proudly granted by DREAM Iowa Inc. (501c3). This scholarship is to provide monetary support for immigrant students pursuing higher education. The principal requirements for the DREAM Iowa scholarship are that the student be a high school senior or enrolled in college, demonstrate the spirit to overcome adversity and commitment to our immigrant community. More information and application: Here.  Deadline: May 1

For a student who is interested pursuing a degree in education or another social services field. More details and application: Here. Deadline: May 5.

The PB&J Scholarship is for students who have experienced personal challenges that may not have allowed them to perform well academically, but who still have the drive to succeed.

Examples of personal challenges include, but are not limited to:

• Medical issues
• Peer issues: bullying, change of school, minority status, etc.
• Family issues: divorce, death, lack of income, homelessness, foster care, abuse, etc.

More details and information: Here. Deadline: May 31

This scholarship is for graduating seniors who plan to pursue a four-year Bachelor degree program of study in any area of Family and Consumer Science (may include study in Family and Consumer Science area at a community college).
More details and application: Here. Deadline: June 1

Three (3) scholarships, in the amount of $1,000, will be awarded to high school seniors (college or trade school bound) or currently enrolled college students pursuing a degree at a two or four-year accredited college/university. Students must be attending high school, trade school, or college in Linn or Johnson counties.

Applications are due by June 15th, 2024. 

The Catherine McAuley Scholarship program at Mt. Mercy University offers free tuition to Iowa students whose family income is $50,000 or less annually.  The scholarship helps cover tuition costs (and future tuition increases) and is renewable for all four years. More Details and Scholarship Application: Here. Deadline: June 30

A $1500 scholarship per year for four years.  Selection is based on interest and activity in golf, potential for future contributions to golf, leadership skills/community involvement, academic/professional abilities, and financial need. 

Application is available Here.