Stellar Scholarships to Apply for in Iowa for 2021

Feeling like scholarship applications spin you around like a cyclone? We don’t blame you. That’s why we want to make the process easier for you when you’re searching for financial aid.

The Hawkeye State isn’t just known for its agriculture, it’s also home to a handful of great universities! Top schools like the University of Iowa and Iowa State University attract thousands of students from all over each year…but studying here doesn’t come cheap!

The average in-state tuition for the University of Iowa is $9,492 per year while out-of-state students can expect to pay $31,458. Iowa State University is a cheaper option, with in-state tuition costing $3,870 and out-of-state tuition coming in at $11,072. For some, these prices can make it difficult to continue their education, but scholarships can help!

Benefits of Scholarships & How to Apply

Scholarships are great because they never need to be paid back and there are tons of different ones for all types of situations. The best place to start your search is with Going Merry. We match you with relevant scholarships and show you where to applysaving you both time and money! Then, talk with your high school guidance counselor or college financial aid office to learn about even more opportunities.

If you’d like more information and scholarship tips in the meantime, check out our comprehensive guide to applying for scholarships or our list of expert tips to bring your application to the next level.

scholarships in iowa

Take a breather and check out the list of Iowa scholarships below: 

1. Charlie Burkart Scholarship

Winner of the Charlie Burkart Scholarship are selected on the basis of their interest and activity in golf, the potential for future contributions to the game, leadership skills/community involvement, then on their academic/professional ability and financial need.

Amount: Up to $6,000

Provider: Professional Golfers’ Association Iowa Section

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students

Requirements: (a) Residency in Iowa, (b) Participates in golf, (c) Two letters of recommendation, (d) Resume, (e) Transcript.

2. Vernon J. Baker Educators’ Scholarship

The Vernon J. Baker Scholarship will be awarded to a Clarinda High School graduating senior (or seniors) planning to pursue a degree in higher education at an accredited college or university. The scholarship shall be used to help pay the cost of any college program leading to a degree in education.

Amount: Up to $1,000

Provider: Clarinda Foundation

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors

Requirements: (a) Attends Clarinda High School, (b) Unweighted GPA greater than or equal to 3.0, (c) Resume.

3. The Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship

MidWest One Bank administers the Pearl Hull Falk Trust which provides funds for the Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship. Prior to her death in 1965, Pearl Hull Falk resided in Iowa City where her husband was a prominent banker during the early 1900’s. The trust was established under the Last Will and Testament of Mrs. Falk to provide annual scholarships to needy and worthy students attending the University of Iowa.

Amount: Up to $800

Provider: MidWest One Bank

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors & Undergraduate Students

Requirements: (a) Intend to enroll at the University of Iowa full-time in the upcoming academic school year, (b) Of Christian faith, (c) College Financial Aid Award Letter, (d) FAFSA SAR, (e) Letter of recommendation, (f) Resume, (g) Transcript.

4. Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship

The intent of the Brian Pearson Memorial Scholarship is to recognize two outstanding student-athletes involved with the Iowa Games (one male and one female), and through that process, Brian Pearson. This scholarship is supported by the Orr family, Kenyon family & Skinner family.

Amount: Up to $500

Provider: Iowa Games

Who Can Apply: High School Juniors, High School Seniors

Requirements: (a) Participated in any Iowa Games events (Summer Iowa Games, Winter Iowa Games, Iowa Games Net Fest, Iowa Games NASP, etc.), (b) Residency in Iowa, (c) Two letters of recommendation, (d) Resume.

5. Friends Local Leaders Of Iowa Scholarship

The Friends Local Leaders of Iowa Scholarship is sponsored by Good Investments LLC & Friends Bar & Grill LLC and co-sponsored by Fog Zone LLC, Ink Boss LLC & BRWTL LLC. With this scholarship award, we will be looking for two individuals who are leaders within their community and have the ambition and drive to lead in the business world of whatever field of their choosing. We are searching for individuals who see the importance of becoming leaders in all aspects of their lives.

Amount: Up to $500

Provider: Good Investments LLC & Friends Bar & Grill LLC

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors

Requirements: (a) Attends AHSTW High School, (b) Letter of recommendation, (c) Transcript.


Loving these scholarships, but need help applying for your government financial aid? We can help you fill out your FAFSA and state aid.


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6. The Robert D. Blue Scholarship

The Robert D. Blue Scholarship is awarded to state residents who are planning to attend college during the next school year. Award amounts vary and winners are heavily determined by financial need.

Amount: $500 to $1,000

Provider: Iowa State Treasurer’s Office

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors & Undergraduate Students

Requirements: (a) Planning to attend an accredited college or university for the upcoming school year, (b) Residency in Iowa, (c) Financial need, (d) Academic achievement.

7. The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship

Incoming college freshmen who graduated within the last two years are eligible to apply for The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship. Priority is given to students who have overcome financially difficult situations. Some examples are children who have aged out of the foster care system, children of deceased public safety workers, and students who participated in the GEAR UP grant program in Iowa.  

Amount: Varies (For the 2018-2019 school year, the maximum award was $4,532)

Provider: Iowa College Student Aid Commission

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors & Recent Graduates

Requirements: (a) Planning to attend an eligible college or university in Iowa, (b) Residency in Iowa, (c) FAFSA, (d) Enrollment in at least three semester hours while in college, (e) Meet the criteria for Expected Family Contribution on the FAFSA (TBD).

scholarships in iowa

8. The Lois Dell Memorial Scholarship

The Lois Dell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to female students studying full-time at an accredited college or university. Any woman from Polk, Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, or Warren County can apply.

Amount: $1,000

Provider: The Des Moines Women’s Club

Who Can Apply: Undergraduate Students

Requirements: (a) Female, (b) Enrollment in an accredited college or university, (c) Full-time student status.  

9. Larry W. Carter Scholarship

The Larry W. Carter Scholarship was created in memory of Larry W. Carter, an activist and prominent community leader. Any African-American Iowa resident is eligible to apply. Applicants can be pursuing full-time or part-time studies at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Amount: Varies

Provider: The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students

Requirements: (a) Residency in Iowa, (b) African American, (c) Enrollment in a full-time or part-time college program.

10. PMI Eastern Iowa Chapter Scholarship

The PMI Eastern Iowa Chapter Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in project management or a related field. Priority is given to children and stepchildren of PMI residents who are residents of Eastern Iowa.

Amount: Up to $1,000

Provider: The Project Management Institute

Who Can Apply: Undergraduate Students & Graduate Students

Requirements: (a) Pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in Project Management or a related field, (b) Attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university.



scholarships in iowa

11. Home Builders Association of Iowa Scholarship

Students pursuing a career in the homebuilding industry or a related trade as well as immediate family members of association members are eligible to apply for the Home Builders Association of Iowa Scholarship.

Amount: $1,000

Provider: The Home Builders Association of Iowa

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students

Requirements: (a) Pursuing or planning to pursue a relevant career, (b) Residency in Iowa.

12. The Shirley and Kenneth Smith Memorial Scholarship

The Shirley and Kenneth Smith Memorial Scholarship is granted to male and female students planning to major or minor in art, especially painting or drawing. Applicants must be residents or full-time students in Polk, Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, or Warren County.

Amount: $2,000

Provider: The Des Moines Women’s Club

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors

Requirements: (a) Residency in one of the counties mentioned above, (b) Plans to major or minor in art.

13. Conservation Districts of Iowa Scholarships

Students interested in pursuing a degree related to conservation or agriculture are eligible to apply for the Conservation Districts of Iowa Scholarships. Applicants must be graduating from an Iowa high school and be residents of the state of Iowa. The winner is chosen based on career goals, involvement, leadership, character, conservation message, and academic achievement.

Amount: $600 to $4,000

Provider: Conservation Districts of Iowa

Who Can Apply: High School Seniors

Requirements: (a) Pursuing or planning to pursue a relevant career, (b) Residency in Iowa, (c) Entering college for the first time.

scholarships in iowa

Need more options for financial aid and college scholarships?

We’ve got you covered. Financing college tuition requires a lot of time and dedication, and with so many scholarships out there, how do you know which ones to apply for? Start by submitting your FAFSA form as soon as possible since this will help determine what financial aid you might qualify for. You might also want to read up on what the different forms of student aid are.

Finally, create a free Going Merry profile today for access to our scholarship library. At Going Merry, we make finding and applying for scholarships easy.

You’ll be matched with the scholarships you’re eligible for, save your favorite scholarships, and then apply for those scholarships. We’ll pre-fill any information you’ve already provided. Get started today. Sign up here.

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