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Scholarships
Iowa scholarships: Free money for Iowa students
Here's a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Scholarships for Iowa
Featured
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Sallie $2,000 No Essay Scholarship
Due: 4/30/26
$2,000
Printing Industry Midwest Education Foundation Scholarship
Due: 4/1/26
$2,000
The Printing Industry Midwest Education Foundation offers renewable scholarships to those enrolled in two or four-year institutions and technical colleges offering degrees in the print communication discipline. In order to ensure acceptance, students must apply for admission to an accredited technical school, college or university. The scholarship grants are restricted to accredited colleges, universities, and technical schools that offer established one, two, and four-year programs leading t...
7 days left!
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O'Brien-Vrba Scholarship Trust Program
Due: 4/8/26
|No essay
$2,500
The O'Brien-Vrba Scholarship Trust is intended to assist rural Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan high school graduates who plan to continue their education in college. Applicants must currently live or have resided in an approved rural county during high school. Applicants must be an undergraduate student or graduate-level student, who plans to enroll in a course of study at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year. Applicants must be actively involved in school activities and community service and have a family Adjusted Gross Income of $150,000 or less. Applicants of the Catholic Faith, those who attend Catholic institution, and/or who participate in activities through the Newman Center at their college are given additional consideration. Two online letters of recommendation must be submitted; one from a teacher, advisor or clergy writing about the applicant's performance and character; and one from a community service supervisor addressing the applicant's service and leadership in the activity. If you will be changing schools, please provide a copy of your acceptance letter to the school you will be attending. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant
Due: 7/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,200
The Iowa Vocational-Technical Tuition Grant is open to Iowa residents enrolled in career or technical education programs at Iowa community colleges. Students must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in a qualified program of study (of at least a 15-week duration), enrolled at an Iowa community college, and must demonstrate financial need. The award is available for up to two years of education. Part-time students may be eligible for adjusted amounts. Please visit the award's website for more information.
Iowa Tuition Grant
Due: 7/1/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Iowa Tuition Grants are awarded to Iowa residents enrolled at one of Iowa's eligible private colleges and universities. Applicants must be enrolled in an associate or bachelor degree. Recipients can receive grants for up to four years of full-time, undergraduate study. Part-time students may be eligible for adjusted amounts. Please visit the award's website for more information.
Ray, NORP, and Katie, WOKTE, Pautz Scholarship
Due: 12/30/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
$1,000
The Ray, NORP, and Katie, WOKTE, Pautz Scholarship will be awarded to those with a General Class License or higher. Applicants must be pursuing a field of study in electronics, computer science, or related fields at an accredited 4-year college or university. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.
Paul and Helen L. Grauer Scholarship
Due: 12/30/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
$1,000
The Paul and Helen L. Grauer Scholarship will be awarded to those with any active Amateur Radio License Class. Applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree or higher in electronics, communications, or related fields. Applicants must submit transcripts which must cover the applicant's entire high school career to date and, if in college, must include all semesters for which grades have been awarded. For students applying for graduate school assistance, high school transcripts are not necessary. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.
ARRL Foundation Inc. PHD Amateur Radio Association Scholarship
Due: 12/30/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
$1,000
The PHD Amateur Radio Association Scholarship will be awarded to those with any active Amateur Radio License Class. Applicants must be a resident of the ARRL Midwest Division and pursuing their education in any institution. Students may be the child of a deceased radio amateur. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.
NIAF Norman R. Peterson Scholarship
Due: 3/1/27
|No essay
$5,000
The NIAF Norman R. Peterson Scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding Italian American student at John Cabot University. This student must originally be from the Midwest. Applicants must be enrolled in a US accredited institution of higher education for the Fall 2026 semester. Applicants must have an active NIAF Membership. They may use their parent, guardian or grandparent's membership. Applicants must be a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. They must also demonstrate a commitment to or interest in Italian culture and heritage. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the National Italian American Foundation for more information.
PFund Foundation Scholarship Program
Due: 3/3/27
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$12,000
The PFund Foundation Scholarship Program awards LGBTQIA individuals for their commitment and leadership within LGBTQIA communities. Scholarships support post-secondary academic programs as well as non-scholastic leadership development opportunities. Applicants must be either from or currently attending school in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, or South Dakota. Applicants must also be currently enrolled in or admitted to a GED program, community college, four-year college, university, graduate school, trade school, professional certificate program, or apprenticeship program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Preference will be given to applicants with a strong vision for making a social or political impact in LGBTQIA communities; applicants serving, leading and working for culture change in communities around LGBTQIA issues, recognizing that access to leadership opportunities can vary; and applicants of diverse backgrounds, particularly those from traditionally under-represented communities and demographic groups including but not limited to: (1) Indigenous, Black, People of Color; first generation, immigrant, and new Americans; (2) Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming people, and (3) LGBTQIA Individuals from rural communities across the upper Midwest. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Key things to know about Iowa scholarships
- Iowa scholarships can help reduce your college costs. They can cover part of your tuition, fees, books, or training expenses, and it's money you don't need to pay back.
- Scholarships aren't just for four-year college students. Iowa aid can also support community college students, certificate seekers, and some adult learners.
- State aid often depends on completing key forms. In Iowa, many programs use both the FAFSA® and the Iowa Financial Aid Application.
- Different awards serve different goals. Some are for private college students, some are for first-time students with financial need, and others support career and technical pathways.
- Applying broadly can help maximize your scholarship money. State programs matter, but local scholarships and college scholarships can help fill the rest of the gap.
Paying for college takes planning, especially when you’re trying to compare scholarships, grants, and school-based aid. If you’re searching for Iowa scholarships, you'll find both statewide programs and local opportunities that can support students at different kinds of schools.
Looking for scholarships can be well worth the effort. In fact, Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2025 found that 75% of students who received a scholarship said it made college possible. For Iowa students, that can mean looking at programs like the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship and combining them with local awards, institutional scholarships, and need-based grants.
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What are Iowa scholarships?
Iowa scholarships are financial awards that help Iowa students pay for college, certificates, diplomas, or other eligible programs. They can come from the state, colleges, nonprofits, employers, and local community groups.
Unlike student loans, scholarships don’t have to be repaid. Depending on the program, eligibility might be based on:
- Iowa residency
- Financial need
- Academic achievement
- Enrollment at an eligible Iowa college
- Career or technical program choice
- Community service, leadership, or special background factors
What scholarships are available for Iowa students?
Think in categories. In Iowa you'll find state scholarships, local and county awards, and school-based aid. Applying across all three categories gives you more chances to lower your cost. You can also use Scholly Scholarships to find more Iowa scholarships that match your background, major, or career interests, including statewide awards and broader scholarships.
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS)
The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship is a state-funded scholarship for Iowa students attending an eligible Iowa college or university. It focuses on students with financial need and gives priority to several student groups identified by the state.
Local and community scholarships
County, city, and community-based scholarships can be especially useful in Iowa because they may have smaller applicant pools than statewide awards. These can come from local community foundations, civic groups, employers, high school scholarship committees, and regional nonprofits. Check with your high school counselor, local foundation websites, and nearby community organizations for these opportunities.
Iowa college and university scholarships
Iowa colleges also offer their own scholarships, which may be based on merit, need, major, leadership, or talent. Some awards are automatic when you apply, while others require separate applications.
For example, students may find institutional opportunities at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Drake University. Community colleges such as Kirkwood Community College may also offer foundation and program-based scholarships.
Additional financial aid resources
Iowa Tuition Grant
The Iowa Tuition Grant is awarded to Iowa residents enrolled at eligible private colleges and universities in the state. Because it is a grant, not a scholarship, it belongs under additional financial aid resources.
Kibbie Grant (Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant)
The Kibbie Grant helps Iowa residents pay for career and technical education programs at eligible Iowa community colleges. It supports students training for high-demand fields such as manufacturing, health care, information technology, and skilled trades. Because it’s a grant rather than a scholarship, it’s typically listed alongside other state financial aid programs.
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How to apply for Iowa scholarships
- Pull together key documents early, such as your transcript, activity list, resume, and a basic personal statement.
- Make a list of scholarships that fit your background, major, and goals, focusing on both statewide and local programs.
- Work through a few applications at a time so the process stays consistent but not overwhelming.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) so you can be considered for need-based scholarships, grants, and other aid.
- Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or checklist to keep track of application requirements and deadlines.
- Read instructions carefully and double-check your application before you hit submit.
Looking for a faster way to get started? With Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships, you can use a single application to apply to multiple scholarships at once.
What are the eligibility requirements for Iowa scholarships?
Each program sets its own rules, but many Iowa scholarships and grants share some common eligibility requirements, such as:
- Iowa residency
- Enrollment at an eligible Iowa college or program
- FAFSA® completion
- Iowa Financial Aid Application completion for some programs
- Financial need
- Satisfactory academic progress
- Program, major, or training pathway
How do I improve my chances of winning scholarships?
- Complete both required forms.
In Iowa, missing the FAFSA® or Iowa Financial Aid Application can mean missing state aid entirely. For step-by-step help applying for federal aid, check our FAFSA® guide. - Look at community colleges too.
Iowa students pursuing certificates or two-year programs may still qualify for meaningful aid. - Don’t skip local scholarships.
County and city awards can be less competitive than statewide programs. - Apply to school-based scholarships after admission.
Colleges often have separate scholarship portals or foundation applications. - Start early and track deadlines.
Iowa state aid dates matter, and waiting too long can limit your options.
More scholarship resources
Iowa students can expand their search with resources like these:
- Scholarships by major
See scholarship options connected to your intended field of study. - Scholarships for high school seniors
Ideal if you are planning for college during your senior year of high school. - Scholarships for college students
Scholarship opportunities continue after freshman year — explore options for current undergraduates. - Scholarships for first-generation students
If you are the first in your family to attend college, these awards are designed with you in mind. - Scholarships for adults and returning learners
Find support if you are going back to school later in life or finishing a degree. - Scholarships for women
Explore scholarships that support women across a variety of majors and career paths. - LGBTQ+ scholarships
Discover scholarships that support students who identify as LGBTQ+ or who are allies. - STEM scholarships
Funding options for students pursuing science, technology, engineering, or math degrees. - Scholarships for graduate students
Learn about scholarships that can help reduce the cost of master’s, PhD, or professional programs. - Scholarships for minority students
Scholarship programs supporting students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds. - Scholarships for Native American students
Opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students.
Your next steps
Going after Iowa scholarships work best when you treat them as part of a bigger funding plan. State scholarships, local awards, and institutional aid can all work together, especially if you file the FAFSA® and any required Iowa forms early.
To keep your search active, combine Iowa-specific aid with quick-apply opportunities like Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships and the $2,000 No Essay Scholarship, and check local scholarship lists from your school or county.
FAQs about Iowa scholarships
What scholarships are available for Iowa students?
Iowa students can look at state programs like the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, local and county scholarships, and institutional scholarships from Iowa colleges. They may also qualify for grant programs such as the Iowa Tuition Grant and other state aid.
What is the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS)?
AIOS is a state-funded scholarship for Iowa students attending an eligible Iowa college or university. It focuses on students with financial need and gives priority to several student groups identified by the state.
Are there Iowa scholarships for community college students?
Yes. Iowa students at community colleges may qualify for local scholarships, institutional aid, and some state grant or career-focused aid programs, depending on their program.
How can I find scholarships in my Iowa county or city?
Start with your high school counselor, local community foundations, civic groups, employers, and nearby colleges. County-based and local awards are often posted through those channels.
Do Iowa scholarships require FAFSA®?
Many do. Filing the FAFSA® is an important step for federal, state, and many school-based aid programs, and some Iowa programs also require the Iowa Financial Aid Application.
Do Iowa colleges offer their own scholarships?
Yes. Colleges such as the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, and Iowa community colleges may offer institutional scholarships.
Are there easy or no-essay scholarships for Iowa students?
Yes. In addition to Iowa-specific aid, students can use broader scholarship platforms such as Scholly® Easy Apply Scholarships and the $2,000 No Essay scholarship to find faster applications.
Is the Iowa Tuition Grant a scholarship?
No. It is a grant for eligible Iowa residents attending participating private colleges and universities in Iowa.
Do I need the Iowa Financial Aid Application?
For some Iowa programs, yes. Students should review state program instructions carefully because some grants and scholarships require the Iowa Financial Aid Application in addition to the FAFSA®.
Are there Iowa scholarships for adult learners?
Yes. Some Iowa aid programs and broader scholarship options can support adult learners, especially those returning for workforce or career-focused training.
Need more money for college?
Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.
No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
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