Hagan Foundation Scholarship
The Hagan Scholarship Foundation sponsors the nationwide need-based merit scholarship for seniors attending a public high school. The Hagan Scholarship provides $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Scholarship recipients can also apply for a scholarship extension for up to four additional semesters to attend graduate school. The Hagan Scholarship Foundation provides scholarship recipients with free workshops, free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and free study abroad opportunities. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, have a 3.50 cumulative GPA, enroll at an eligible 4-year college or university following graduation, work 240 hours each year of college, report a gross household income not to exceed $85,000, provide the FAFSA SAR report showing the EFC, not have a felony conviction, and apply for Federal and State grants if eligible. The Hagan Scholarship seeks academically successful, driven students who display financial need. To learn more and apply, visit the Hagan Foundation Scholarship website
Due date: December 1, 2023
Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship
The Taco Bell Foundation sponsors the Live Mas Scholarship program for high school and college students ages 16-26. The Live Mas Scholarship seeks students who are leaders in the classroom and in their communities. Scholarships may range up to $25,000 and be used at any two- or four-year college or university, vocational-technical schools, or trade schools. Applying involves creating a 2-minute video and/or animation highlighting three (3) questions: 1. What is your passion? 2. How do you plan to use your passion to change the world? 3. How will furthering your education help you pursue your passion? Visit the Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship site to learn more and apply online.
Due date: January 3, 2024
The Star Student Scholarship of Iowa
The Star Student Scholarship of Iowa seeks senior applicants who have received special education services while in high school. Applicants must plan to continue their education at a college or university after graduation. This one-time $2,000 award seeks special education students who have goals and aspirations for educational and personal success. To learn more and apply, visit the Star Student Scholarship of Iowa website.
Due date: January 12, 2024
The Special Education Teacher Scholarship of Iowa
The Special Education Teacher Scholarship of Iowa seeks high school seniors who plan to study education at a college or university upon graduation. This one-time $2,000 award seeks graduating seniors who wish to earn a degree specifically in special education. To learn more and apply, visit the Special Education Teacher Scholarship of Iowa website.
United States JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship
The United States JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship program seeks high school seniors interested in continuing their education at an accredited post-secondary college, university, and/or vocational school. To learn more about this opportunity, check out the United States JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship site. Click on the Scholarship section to find an application and state contact information.
Due date: January 19, 2024
Des Moines Women’s Club Scholarships
The Des Moines Women’s Club offers twenty-five (25) scholarship opportunities to high school seniors who are full-time students and residents of Polk County. Applicants may only apply for one scholarship per year. The scholarships offered by the Des Moines Women’s Club are in the areas of art; theater arts; vocal music; instrumental music; literature; music, dance, and/or performing arts; education (elementary, music, and education in general); science, technology, engineering, and/or math; health-related career areas; and many other career related interests. To learn more about this expansive scholarship program, visit the Des Moines Women’s Club Scholarship website.
Due date: January 26, 2024
H.S. Ostlin Memorial Scholarship
High school seniors who plan to attend Iowa State University are encouraged to apply for the H.S. Ostlin Memorial Scholarship. One scholarship will be awarded to an incoming freshman to Iowa State University. Applicants must complete the online OneApp Scholarship application through Iowa State University, file a 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and be offered admission to Iowa State University by January 3, 2024. Scholarship selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, and the applicant’s interest in pursuing an engineering career. The scholarship is worth $1,000 and is renewable for three additional years. Please visit the Iowa State University OneApp scholarship website for more information and access to the online application.
Due date: February 8, 2024
Hixson Opportunity Award
The Hixson Opportunity Award is a $20,000 scholarship to be used over the course of eight semesters at Iowa State University. Christina Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust present the Hixson Opportunity Award for students who display extreme financial need. One hundred high school seniors representing each county in the state of Iowa will be selected for this award. Applicants must have faced challenges of personal and/or financial hardship. Applicants must also be residents of Iowa and possess the potential to succeed. Applicants must demonstrate financial need as determined by filing the FAFSA. Applicants must also apply for admission to Iowa State University before the scholarship deadline. To learn more and apply for this opportunity, check out the Hixson Opportunity Award site.
Due date: February 1, 2024
Masonic Scholarship
The Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. & A.M. awards sixty scholarships to high school seniors who wish to pursue a post-secondary education in any state at an accredited two- or four-year institution. The scholarships may be used for school related expenses, such as tuition, fees, and/or books. Applicants do not need to have a Masonic connection. The Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. & A.M. seeks applicants who display school and community involvement as well as leadership positions within these areas. An applicant’s academic record, communication skills, and need for financial aid will also be considered. To learn more and apply for this scholarship opportunity, please visit Mrs. Fast in the counseling office to obtain a paper application.
MCEC Technical Scholarship
The Masonic Charitable Educational Corporation offers the MCEC Technical Scholarships, otherwise known as the “Mark Earl and Esther Ruth Spencer Technical Scholarships.” The MCEC Technical Scholarships will be offered to high school seniors who plan to enroll in a mechanical or trade course of study at an accredited Iowa community college. The scholarships may be used for school related expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and/or tools. A Masonic connection is preferred but not required. An applicant’s academic record, communication skills, need for financial aid, and plans for the future will be considered. To learn more and apply for this scholarship opportunity, visit the MCEC Technical Scholarship site.
Iowa Newspaper Foundation Scholarships
The Iowa Newspaper Foundation sponsors a variety of scholarship opportunities for Iowa students preparing for a career in media. This may include but is not limited to journalism, photojournalism, graphic design, marketing, and/or public relations. Scholarship awards typically range between $500 and $1,000. Check out the Iowa Newspaper Foundation website to learn more about the various scholarships offered.
Due date: February 16, 2024
Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship
The Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship program will award multiple $5000 scholarships to students attending the University of Iowa. Each recipient of the Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship must be of Protestant faith, a resident of the state of Iowa, and a full-time student at the University of Iowa. At least one recipient of the scholarship must be a member of an Episcopal Church. At least one recipient must also be a young man pursuing a career in banking. All recipients must be of good character and display academic achievement. To apply for the Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship, please visit Mrs. Fast in the counseling office to receive a paper copy of the application. All applications and materials must be emailed in PDF form to SCHOLARSHIPS@MIDWESTONE.COM. or postmarked to:
The Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship Committee
MidWestOne Bank
Attn: Trust Services
P.O. Box 1700
Iowa City, IA 52244-1700
Due date: March 1, 2024
Prairie Meadows Scholarship
Prairie Meadows sponsors two $2,500 scholarships to current seniors. Applicants must be accepted to and plan to enroll as a full-time student (12 credit hours or more) in the fall of 2024 at an accredited Iowa university, community college, and/or trade school. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident for the past two or more consecutive years. Applicants must also possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Applications for the Prairie Meadows Scholarship must be typed. The completed application must include two letters of recommendation. Due to their involvement in the scholarship selection process, the high school counselors CANNOT write one of these letters of recommendation. Seniors should seek another school faculty member for one of the letters of recommendation. Applicants must also complete one personal statement that spans three paragraphs or more. A student resume must also be included. Applicants should display a commitment to community service within their resume and personal statements. Applicants must also submit a high school transcript and a digital photograph in jpeg form with their application materials. To learn more and access the application, visit the Prairie Meadows Scholarship site.
*All completed Prairie Meadows Scholarship applications must be submitted to Kari Fast in the counseling office by the scholarship due date. Digital copies of the applicant’s photograph in jpeg format should be emailed to kari.fast@southeastpolk.org.
Due date: April 1, 2024
Journey to Excellence Scholarship
The Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at the University of Iowa sponsors the Journey to Excellence Scholarship program for male high school seniors.The Journey to Excellence Scholarship program includes three scholarships ranging in value from $1500 to $500. The Delta Tau Delta Fraternity boasts the highest GPA at the University of Iowa and governs themselves with four core values: truth, courage, faith, and power. Male high school seniors who plan to enroll at the University of Iowa are encouraged to fill out the Journey to Excellence Scholarship application form. Scholarship applicants are not required to join the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. To learn more about the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and the Journey to Excellence Scholarship, visit the Delta Tau Delta site.
Due date: No deadline at this time
Mike Rowe Works Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship
The Mike Rowe Works Foundation sponsors the Work Ethic Scholarship for those individuals who display a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, delayed gratification, and a positive attitude.The Work Ethic Scholarship program does not consider test scores or grades when selecting scholarship recipients. Applicants must plan to or be enrolled in an approved trades program. (Please see scholarship website for the complete list of qualifying trades.) Applicants will also have to submit a short video, an essay, an official high school transcript, financial information, two references/recommendations, and a few other pieces of information. Visit the Mike Rowe Works Foundation Worth Ethic Scholarship site for further information and application details.
WikiLawn Grass for Class Scholarship
The WikiLawn Grass for Class Scholarship seeks entrepreneurial high school seniors and college students who own and operate a lawn care service while attending school. WikiLawn will offer a semi-annual $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must display a passionate entrepreneurial spirit and plan to pursue any major at a two-year, four-year, or graduate level college program. Applicants must submit a transcript, a resume, and a 500-700 word essay. To learn more and apply, visit the WikiLawn Grass for Class Scholarship.
Due date: Fall semester deadline is May 1 – August 20. Spring semester deadline is August 31 – December 31.
The KidGuard for Education Scholarship is open to all high school students in grades 9-12. The KidGuard for Education Scholarship hopes to bring awareness and create solutions to issues such as cyberbullying, online predators, teen suicide, and childhood depression in the age of technology. Multiple scholarships are available ranging in amounts from $500-$1,000. Applicants must submit an essay response to one of the prompts given. To learn more and submit an application, visit the KidGuard for Education Scholarship site.
Due date: Ongoing annual contest. Essay responses due every October 31st at 11:59 PM (Pacific time)
RoverPass Outdoor Entrepreneurship Scholarship
RoverPass seeks high school seniors with a passion for the outdoors. The Outdoor Entrepreneurship Scholarship seeks applicants who have a sense of adventure and an entrepreneurial spirit. Applicants have the opportunity to be awarded $1,000 to fund their outdoor entrepreneurial ideas. Applicants should be passionate and ambitious. They are also encouraged to be a part of an outdoor organization or plan to start their own business upon graduation. Applicants must send an update resume, an official high school transcript, and their 500-700 word essay response to RoverPass to be considered for this scholarship. Visit the RoverPass Outdoor Entrepreneurship Scholarship site to learn more and apply.
Due date: Fall application period: May 1-August 20. Spring application period: August 31-December 31
Redfin Scholarship
The Redfin Real Estate Brokerage offers a $2,500 scholarship to high school seniors. Applicants must have a 3.5 cumulative GPA and be willing to write a 300-500 word essay in response to this question: “The place (or places) where we are raised often have a profound effect on who we become as adults. What effect has the community that you were raised in had on who you are today?” To learn more and apply for the Redfin Scholarship, check out the Redfin Scholarship site.
Due date: Spring application period: November 1-January 31 | Fall application period: May 1-July 31
Press Cleaners Scholarship
Press Cleaners is offering a $1,000 scholarship opportunity to aspiring entrepreneurs. Press Cleaners seeks applicants willing to write a 500-800 word essay about a proposed business idea and what problem that business intends to solve. To learn more about this scholarship opportunity, visit the Press Cleaners Scholarship site.
Due date: Varies by semester. See scholarship site for details.
Iowa FFA Scholarships
The Iowa FFA Association has provided a list of scholarship opportunities for FFA members. Check out the Iowa FFA Association website to learn more and apply for these various scholarship opportunities.
Due dates: Varies by scholarship
Scholarships for Military Children
The federal government provides financial assistance through grants, loans, student aid, and scholarships for the children of military personnel. If you are interested in learning more about the financial assistance available to the children of military parents, please visit the Military One Source site for further information.
Due dates vary by scholarship opportunity.
Varsity Tutors’ Monthly $1,000 Scholarship Contest
Varsity Tutors hosts a monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest where students write an essay in response to a monthly prompt. Visitors to the Varsity Tutors scholarship webpage vote via social media for submitted entries. The top five entries with the most votes are reviewed by Varsity Tutors at the end of the month. One winner is then chosen to receive the $1,000 college scholarship. To learn more about this monthly scholarship contest, visit the Varsity Tutors Monthly College Scholarship Contest.
Due date: Monthly essay contest open from the 1st of the month until the 15th of the month
Weird Scholarships
The Weird Scholarships website connects high school students with a variety of unique and interesting scholarship opportunities. Check out the Weird Scholarships site to search and apply for scholarships that fit you!
Due date: Check individual scholarship for due date