Iowa Scholarships
Living or studying in Iowa qualifies you for scholarships that most students never see: statewide awards restricted to IA residents, where the applicant pool is a fraction of any national contest. These verified awards sit on top of the national scholarships and Iowa's own state aid programs, so treat them as one layer of a larger funding plan.
- Open scholarships
- 4
- Median award
- $2,500
- Largest award
- $8,000
- No essay required
- 1
Guardian Scholars Foundation Scholarship
$8,000Due Mar 1, 2027Iowa high school graduates who spent time in Iowa foster care between ages 14 and 18, earned a diploma or associate degree, and graduated with at least a 2.3 GPA may apply for the Guardian Scholars Foundation scholarship. The foundation provides $8,000 per year plus partner-college support toward tuition, room, board, and textbooks, along with community mentoring. The number of recipients varies. Submit a complete application package including an essay, two recommendations, and a consent form. Students attending community college with a strong intention to transfer and earn a bachelor's degree are also considered. The foundation seeks motivated young adults who have shown academic merit and leadership.
Essay written for youBetter Business Bureau Students of Integrity Scholarship
$2,500Due Jan 30, 2027High school seniors who reside in the Greater Des Moines, Quad Cities, or Siouxland regions served by BBB Greater Iowa may apply for the Students of Integrity Scholarship. Six $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually. Submit a 1,000-word essay on an ethical decision-making situation and your personal definition of integrity, school involvement details, future education plans, a transcript, and two letters of recommendation (only one from school personnel). Applications are judged on essay quality, school involvement, and recommendations.
Essay written for youElevate Scholarship Program
$500Annual: March 29Iowa high school seniors enrolling at an Iowa community college in the fall for advanced manufacturing careers such as welding, CNC machining, industrial automation, robotics, tool and die, or transportation and logistics may apply. Fifteen $500 scholarships are awarded by the Iowa ABI Foundation. Complete the application and answer eligibility questions. Elevate Advanced Manufacturing promotes careers in a sector that comprises a significant share of Iowa employment.
No essay requiredJimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship
Amount variesDue Feb 5, 2027U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school seniors or college freshmen or sophomores under age 20 and residing in eligible states or the District of Columbia may apply. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school seniors) or 2.75 GPA (college students), plus demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Award amounts vary based on need and may renew for up to four academic years. Complete the application with details on honors, leadership, community service, financial need, and future goals. Funds must be used at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Student-athletes in intercollegiate sports and exclusively online students are ineligible. The Jimmy Rane Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to help deserving students pursue college educations.
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Common questions
How many Iowa scholarships are there?
Award Scholar currently lists 4 verified scholarships for Iowa students, with amounts and deadlines checked against each sponsor's official page. The median award is around $2,500, and the largest reaches $8,000.
Do these scholarships require essays?
Not all of them. 1 of the current awards need no essay, so they take minutes to apply to. The essay-based ones tend to be less crowded and pay more, and Award Scholar can draft those essays in your own voice.
What Iowa financial aid exists beyond scholarships?
Iowa runs its own aid programs, including Iowa Tuition Grant and Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship, administered by Iowa College Aid. File the FAFSA (July 1, 2026; some programs have earlier priority deadlines.) to unlock them, then stack private scholarships on top. See the full Iowa financial aid guide for deadlines and eligibility.
Can Iowa students also win national scholarships?
Yes. Statewide awards restrict the applicant pool to Iowa residents, which improves your odds, but they are one layer. Most winning students combine state-restricted awards, national scholarships that match their profile, and state aid.
When is the next deadline?
The next verified deadline in this group is January 30, 2027. Deadlines are spread across the whole year, so a miss is never fatal — new windows open every month.