Top 18 Iowa Scholarships & Grants for 2026 - 2027

Iowa Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid Overview

What Scholarships Can I Get in Iowa?

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.

• All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship: Need-based program supporting students attending public and private colleges statewide.
• Iowa Tuition Grant: Helps students pay for private, nonprofit college tuition in Iowa.
• Bright Scholars of Iowa: Full-tuition award for high-achieving students with significant financial need and strong leadership backgrounds.

Who Qualifies for the Iowa Tuition Grant?

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:

• Be Iowa residents.
• Attend a private, nonprofit college in Iowa.
• Submit the FAFSA by the state priority deadline.
• Demonstrate financial need based on federal aid calculations.

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.

What Scholarships and Grants Are Available for College Students in Iowa?

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:

• Robert D. Blue Scholarship: Honors academic excellence, community service, and leadership among Iowa residents.
• Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant: Assists students pursuing diploma or certificate programs at Iowa community colleges.
• Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship: Rewards students actively involved in the Iowa State Fair or agriculture-related activities.

Many Iowa students also benefit from need-based programs such as the Federal Pell Grant and institutional scholarships awarded automatically upon admission.

What Scholarships Are Offered at the University of Iowa?

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:

• Presidential Scholarship: Awarded to exceptional students with strong academic records, leadership achievements, and community service.
• Iowa Scholars Award: Merit-based funding for high-performing Iowa residents.
• Old Gold Scholarship: Merit scholarship for strong academic performers from across the United States.
• Departmental Awards: Individual colleges (such as Business, Engineering, and Liberal Arts) offer scholarships based on major, portfolio, or research interests.

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.

Are There Scholarships for Out-of-State Students in Iowa?

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:

• Advantage Iowa Award (University of Iowa): Merit scholarship for out-of-state students who demonstrate academic success and contribute to campus diversity.
• International Merit Scholarship (Iowa State University): Awards based on academic performance, leadership, and international engagement.
• Automatic Merit Scholarships: Many Iowa public universities offer tiered scholarships for non-resident students who meet GPA or test score benchmarks.

These awards help make Iowa an appealing option for students seeking strong academic programs at a reasonable cost.

What Is the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship?

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:

• Students who were in foster care after the age of 16.
• Students adopted after age 16.
• Students who participated in federal TRIO programs like Upward Bound or Talent Search.

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.

What Is the Iowa Scholarship Portal?

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:

• One centralized scholarship application.
• Automatic matching to eligible awards.
• Access to departmental and campus-specific opportunities.
• Improved efficiency by reducing repetitive applications.

What Scholarships Are Available for High School Seniors in Iowa?

Iowa high school seniors can apply for numerous scholarships that reward academic performance, leadership, service, and extracurricular involvement.

Popular options include:

• Bright Scholars of Iowa Program: Full tuition and fees for outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and financial need.
• Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarships: Supports students with strong involvement in 4-H programs across the state.
• Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) Scholarship: Available to future educators pursuing careers in teaching.
• Local Community Foundation Scholarships: Many counties offer awards with smaller applicant pools and local eligibility criteria.

Students should also ask their high school counselor for district-specific scholarships and early deadlines.

What Are the University of Iowa Merit Scholarships for Non-Residents?

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:

• National Scholars Award: Provides up to $12,000 annually for academically strong out-of-state students.
• Advantage Iowa Award: For non-resident students with strong academics and contributions to campus diversity.

Many of these scholarships are renewable for up to four years as long as students maintain the required GPA and complete full-time enrollment.

What Are the Requirements for University of Iowa Merit Scholarships?

Requirements vary by scholarship, but most competitive University of Iowa awards consider:

• High school GPA (often 3.5+ for major awards)
• ACT or SAT scores (when submitted)
• Leadership and extracurricular activities
• Community service or volunteer contributions
• Strong application essays for competitive awards like the Presidential Scholarship

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.