This quick snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and state-level resources. It shows how many scholarships we currently list for Iowa, the total dollars represented, and a short overview of key state aid programs.
We currently have 135 scholarships in our database tagged for Iowa. This includes statewide programs, school-specific awards, and private or foundation-based scholarships.
Across our Top 35 Iowa Scholarship & Grant listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $175,234. Some programs are renewable or stackable, so your real lifetime value could be even higher depending on how long you remain eligible.
Iowa students should begin with the Iowa Tuition Grant, which provides significant need-based aid for residents attending private colleges. The Iowa State Grant supports students at public institutions, while Future Ready Iowa programs fund high-demand workforce training for adult learners and recent graduates. Local community foundations are very active scholarship providers, especially in rural counties. Public universities like Iowa and Iowa State offer strong merit scholarships for high-achieving residents. Iowa students should file the FAFSA early, compare public and private options carefully, and pursue local scholarships that can stack with state and institutional awards.
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Iowa scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.
The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation Scholarship Program supports Iowa students who have demonstrated a strong connection to the Iowa State Fair—either through participation, volunteerism, or involvement in related youth organizations such as 4-H or FFA. The program exists
Award: $500 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~88 min)
The Iowa Automobile Dealers Foundation for Education Scholarship is offered through the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association (IADA) to support students pursuing careers in the automotive industry. The foundation is dedicated to strengthening Iowa’s automotive workforce by helping future technicians, service
Award: $1,000 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~88 min)
The Iowa Grocers Education Foundation Scholarship (IGEF), established by the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA), supports the educational goals of students connected to Iowa’s grocery, food distribution, and convenience store industries. Each year, the foundation awards dozens of scholarships to
Award: $500 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Scholarship supports Iowa students pursuing higher education, particularly those with interests connected to agriculture, rural community development, leadership, and service. As one of the state’s largest agricultural organizations, the Iowa Farm Bureau invests in the
Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Pork Foundation award annual scholarships to support students who plan to pursue careers in agriculture, especially those connected to the swine and pork industry. These scholarships are intended to encourage the
Award: $1,000 Deadline: April Est. Time: Low (~28 min)
The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to members and alumni of Iowa 4-H who plan to pursue higher education. The Foundation’s scholarship program rewards students for their commitment to 4-H, leadership, community involvement, and academic
Award: $10,000 Deadline: March Est. Time: Med (~48 min)
The Warren A. Morrow Memorial Scholarship is offered annually by the Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) to support Iowa credit-union members pursuing post-secondary education. The scholarship honors the legacy of Warren A. Morrow, reflecting the credit-union philosophy of “people helping
Award: $3,000 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~83 min)
The Iowa Bankers Association (IBA) Student-Athlete Achievement Award is a scholarship program conducted by the IBA to recognize outstanding high school student-athletes in Iowa who excel academically, athletically, and in community involvement. Each year, a recipient from each class level
Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Time: Med (~78 min)
The Iowa CPA Education Foundation Scholarship is offered by the Iowa Society of CPAs to support accounting students who plan to enter the CPA profession in Iowa. The program provides financial assistance to students enrolled at accredited Iowa colleges and
Award: $2,500 Deadline: April Est. Time: Med (~68 min)
The Jack Hovelson Scholarship is funded by friends and family of the late Jack Hovelson — a longtime Iowa newspaper reporter and former bureau chief at the Des Moines Register. The scholarship aims to honor his legacy by supporting students
Award: $500 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~58 min)
The Carter Pitts Scholarships are funded by Le Mars Daily Sentinel, named for the paper’s longtime publisher and first president of Iowa Newspaper Foundation (INF). These awards are granted to students preparing for a career in the newspaper industry —
Award: $500 Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~43 min)
The Morlan Scholarship is offered by the Iowa Newspaper Foundation (INF), funded in memory of newspaper publishers Frank and Sally Morlan. This scholarship is designed to support students from small towns — reflecting INF’s commitment to fostering journalism talent from
Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Time: Med (~78 min)This comprehensive collection of Iowa scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Iowa scholarship opportunities.
Iowa students have access to a wide range of scholarships and grants that make higher education more affordable, whether they plan to attend a public university, a private college, or a community college. Major statewide programs include the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, the Iowa Tuition Grant, and the Bright Scholars of Iowa Scholarship. These programs support students based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership, and community involvement.
In addition to statewide awards, Iowa’s universities and colleges offer generous institutional scholarships. For example, both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University provide merit-based and need-based scholarships that automatically consider applicants based on GPA, test scores, class rank, or intended major. Many Iowa community colleges also offer program-specific and foundation-funded scholarships to support career and technical pathways.
The Iowa Tuition Grant is one of the state’s largest need-based aid programs for students planning to attend private colleges and universities in Iowa. It helps reduce tuition expenses for residents enrolled full-time at eligible nonprofit institutions.
To qualify, students must:
Award amounts vary each year, but students can typically receive up to $7,500 annually depending on their financial situation and available funding. This grant makes Iowa’s private institutions more affordable for families seeking smaller class sizes or specialized academic programs.
Iowa offers a variety of scholarships and grants for college students across all types of higher education institutions—from public universities to community colleges and trade programs. These awards recognize academic achievement, leadership, career interests, and financial need.
Key statewide programs include:
Many Iowa students also benefit from need-based programs such as the Federal Pell Grant and institutional scholarships awarded automatically upon admission.
The University of Iowa provides a wide range of scholarships for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and continuing undergraduates. These awards recognize academic achievement, leadership, talent, and financial need.
Popular University of Iowa scholarships include:
Many University of Iowa scholarships require no separate application and are automatically awarded based on your admission file, while competitive awards may require essays or interviews.
Yes. Iowa’s public universities actively recruit strong students from outside the state and offer generous merit-based tuition reductions to help offset higher non-resident costs.
Notable awards include:
These awards help make Iowa an appealing option for students seeking strong academic programs at a reasonable cost.
The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS) is one of the state’s most impactful need-based programs and supports students attending eligible two- or four-year institutions in Iowa. It is renewable for up to four years, making it a stable source of financial support.
Priority is given to:
Award amounts can cover up to the equivalent of full tuition at an Iowa public university. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress and submit the FAFSA each year to remain eligible.
The Iowa Scholarship Portal is an online scholarship search and application system managed by the University of Iowa. It allows students to explore departmental, college-wide, and campus-based scholarships all in one place. After completing a general application, the portal matches students to awards they may be eligible for, streamlining the application process.
Benefits of using the portal include:
Iowa high school seniors can apply for numerous scholarships that reward academic performance, leadership, service, and extracurricular involvement.
Popular options include:
Students should also ask their high school counselor for district-specific scholarships and early deadlines.
The University of Iowa offers several competitive scholarships for non-resident students to help reduce the cost of out-of-state tuition. Awards are based on GPA, test scores, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
Examples include:
Many of these scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as students maintain the required GPA and complete full-time enrollment.
Requirements vary by scholarship, but most competitive University of Iowa awards consider:
Students are strongly encouraged to apply early for admission and complete the FAFSA on time to ensure full consideration for both merit and need-based scholarships.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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