State of Iowa Scholarships and Grants
Financial Aid from the State Government
Are you a high school senior who is always involved with the Iowa State Fair? If so, you might consider applying for the Governor Terry Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship. This unique scholarship may be a viable option for picking up a little extra money toward your college tuition. Awards may be up to $1000 and it's as easy as applying through your guidance office.
The State of Iowa Scholarships award small scholarships to outstanding students in their senior year of high school. Students must have top ACT scores and be planning on pursuing a degree in an Iowa state college or university. Awards in the amount of $400 are available.
Iowa recognizes all of its citizens may at some point wish to attend college, but may be financially unable. This non-traditional grant - the Iowa Grant - is designed so even your grandmother may attend college. Applicants must prove financial need and be enrolled in an Iowa state college or university. Students may receive awards up to nearly $1000 annually.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships provide exclusive scholarships to academically talented high school seniors to use toward their college tuitions. This federally funded program requires students to be both high achievers academically as well as personally. Students must have GPAs of 3.5, top ACT scores and already be accepted into a full-time college or university program.
Iowa Tuition Grants make it easier for students to get funding for programs at independent colleges within the state of Iowa. Traditionally state-funded programs have supported those students going to a state school, but in the interest of promoting in-state education for everyone, the eligibility rules have been shifted and grants such as this have been added to the roster. Still, students must prove financial need and those most disadvantaged have preference. Grants may be awarded up to $4000 per academic year for full-time course work, less for part-time. Apply by completing the FAFSA.
The Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grants program works similarly to the Iowa Tuition Grants in that the program is awarded to the most disadvantaged students. However, this program is suited to those students whose career goals take them to technical or professional colleges and programs. Eligible candidates may receive up to $650 per academic year.
Go here for complete details about the programs listed above.
Specialized Scholarships and Grants
The rural areas often suffer from under-representation just as often as do urban areas. Occupations such as nursing and teaching are always in short supply. Much of the problem stems from the fact that these professionals typically wish to work in more challenging facilities in less disadvantaged areas. In order to offset such trends the state of Iowa has established its own brand of loan forgiveness for both nursing students and teaching students.
The Iowa Nursing Education Loan Forgiveness Program offers grants to nurses currently pursuing a registered nurse program or nurse educator program. Students must also be enrolled in an Iowa state college or university. Applicants agree to exchange student loan repayment with a pre-determined number of years of professional nursing work in an under-served area of Iowa.
The Iowa Teacher Shortage Forgivable Loan Program is open to education students who are at least in their sophomore year of a teaching program. Eligible applicants must be willing to exchange loan repayment for up to five years teaching in an underserved area of Iowa.
See this page on Iowa College Student Aid Commission website for complete details and applications.
You may also want to check out our pages on national nursing scholarships and national teaching scholarships.
