UPDATED JANUARY 2022Scholarship Opportunities
STATEWIDE OPPORTUNITIES
BRIGHT SCHOLARS OF IOWA
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Vary
DEADLINE: Varies (mid-January)
The applicant must be in the top 10% of their graduating class and have at least a 28 on the ACT. They must submit an essay regarding how they have overcome adversity, and they must show financial need. Each of the state schools has its own application process.
OPTIMIST ESSAY CONTEST (NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF IOWA)
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $2,500 (1 award)
DEADLINE: January 31, 2022
Applicants must write a 700-800 word essay regarding the topic of how an optimistic mindset changes their tomorrow.
OPTIMIST ESSAY CONTEST (IOWA)
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Up to $500 for winning the Club level; $2,500 for District level winners
DEADLINE: February 15, 2022
Applicants must write a 700-800 word essay on “How Does Having an Optimistic Mindset Change my Tomorrow?”
Note: Click on Club Essay Planning Guide
NATIONWIDE OPPORTUNITIES
TERRY CREWS CREATIVE COURAGE SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $20,000 (1 award)
DEADLINE: January 12, 2022
The applicant must submit a link to an original piece of art they have created. This can be a painting, drawing, music, sculpture, or any form that demonstrates your artistic vision. The applicant must also submit a brief statement regarding their artistic vision.
DR. MEME HEINEMAN SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $6,000 (1 award)
DEADLINE: January 14, 2022
The applicant must plan on pursuing a degree in psychology or behavioral analysis. They must write a 1,000-word or less essay regarding how the scholarship will help them achieve their goals in the field, an how they can positively impact the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.
AVERA SCHOLARS PROGRAM - MOUNT MARTY UNIVERSITY
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $10,000 per year = $40,000 (four years of college)
DEADLINE: January 15, 2022
This scholarship is awarded to Nursing Majors at Mount Marty University. In order to qualify, you must have a 2.8 GPA or higher and have at least a 20 on your ACT. You must complete 8 hours per week at Avera while attending college and pledge to work for them for three years following college. Once these requirements have been met, the student’s educational loans will be forgiven.
WASHINGTON CROSSING SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $6,000 (39 recipients)
DEADLINE: January 15, 2022
The applicant must plan on pursuing a career of service to the United States local, state, or federal government. They must write a one-page essay, send national testing scores, a transcript, and a letter of recommendation from the school counselor or principal.
HUNNICUTT LAW GROUP SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $1,000 (1 award)
DEADLINE: January 15, 2022
The applicant must plan on attending an accredited undergraduate program or law school. They must write a 500-word essay regarding why they choose to pursue a degree in law.
MENSA US SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $2,500 (178 awards)
DEADLINE: January 15, 2022
Applicants must submit a 550-word essay regarding their intended career, academic, and vocational goals.
ULTATEL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $2,500 (1 award)
DEADLINE: January 31, 2022
Applicants must complete a 500-word essay and application letter. They must be pursuing a degree in one of the following areas: Mass Communication, Development Communication, Information Systems, Software Development, Web Development, Cyber Security, Computer Science, or Management and Technology.
PLAYSCHOLARS HELPING COLLARS
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $1,500 (1st place), $300 (2nd place) and $200 (3rd place)
DEADLINE: February 28, 2022
Applicants must submit a 500 to 1,000-word essay regarding the positive impact they have made on a rescue animal or other animal welfare cause.
LIVING WITH EPILEPSY
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $1,500 (1 award)
DEADLINE: February 28, 2022
Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be in good academic standing, submit a resume, and a transcript. The applicant must submit a 750+ word essay indicating how epilepsy has impacted their life.
DEBBIE TAUSSIG COMPASSION SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS ARE AS FOLLOWS: $1,000 (1 award)
DEADLINE: February 28, 2022
The applicant will have at least a 3.0 GPA, submit a transcript, and resume. They must write a 750 to 1,000 word essay on how they feel about compassion, and ways a person can show compassions to others.