
External Scholarships
Organizations, business, and individuals’ external of Iowa Central offer scholarship opportunities to students. Listed is the summary of the scholarship and the contact information for the person, organization or business that are awarding these scholarships. Students may apply for these scholarships by completing the application process designated by the organization, business, or individual offering the scholarship.
Amount: (2) $2,500
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited United States technical institute, 2/4 year college/university with program in construction management, secondary votech school or tuition bearing apprenticeship program in the traditional building trades(e.g. carpentry, HVAC, electrical or related fields of study). Students pursuing certificate programs or apprenticeship programs are welcome to apply.
- Currently attending high school and will be attending an accredited school in the next academic year to one of the aforementioned programs.
Application: https://www.americantrucks.com/scholarships.html
Deadline: Spring- October 15, Fall- June 15
Contact: Scholarships@americantrucks.com
Amount: $1,000 Per Semester
Requirements:
- Applicants must be residents of Webster, Buena Vista, or Palo Alto counties in Iowa.
- Must be pursuing a degree in the arts, environmental sciences, agriculture, or conservation/natural resources management.
- Applicants must also be a current college student, graduate student, pursing a PhD or have completed at least one year of college coursework post high school. Special consideration will be given to upper classmen, non-traditional students, and college graduates seeking professional improvement/education.
- Click to download application
Deadline: Scholarship requests for the fall semester must be submitted by June 1st and spring semester requests must be submitted by November 1st.
Please mail a copy of this application and all pertinent paperwork to:
Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust
c/o Scholarship Applications
PO Box 791
Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501-4245
Amount: $4,000
Requirements:
Applicants must be a member of NEW Cooperative or the dependent of a NEW Cooperative member or full-time employee. Applicants shall be a full-time student that has been accepted into an accredited two-year college or four-year university, pursuing an Agricultural Business degree. High school seniors as well as college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors are eligible to apply. Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee.
Deadline: March 15th
Application & More Information: Scholarships - NEW Cooperative Inc.
Amount: $1,000 per year
Requirements:
- Permanent resident of Buena Vista County or adjoining county of Ida, Sac, Pocahontas, Clay or Cherokee.
- Completed at least one year of pre-nursing education at an accredited school and has applied or will be applying to a nursing program for the upcoming academic year.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.
Deadline: March 31
Website: https://www.bvrmc.org/give/foundation-nursing-scholarship/?v=7516fd43adaa
Contact: Katie Schwint: schwint.katie@bvrmc.org
Amount: $500
Requirements:
- Be a multiple birth student (twin, triplet or higher order multiple).
- Be either
- A senior in high school with plans to attend a college, university, trade or vocational school; or
- A high school graduate (or equivalent) student currently attending or planning to attend a college, university, trade or vocational school as a degree seeking student.
- Be a resident of Iowa.
- Provide an official copy of your most recent academic transcript in a sealed envelope from your school. Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher is required.
- Submit two (2) letters of recommendation that state the strengths and character of the applicant. The name, address and phone number of the person writing the recommendation, as well as the nature of the relationship (cannot be an immediate family member) and the length of time the applicant has been known by said individual, must be included.
- Submit a 300-500 word essay discussing one of the following two topics:
- Your educational plan stating how this scholarship will help further your education; or
- How being a multiple has impacted you and advice you would give to parent(s) who are raising multiple-birth children.
- The essay must be typewritten, double-spaced and printed on white paper only.
- Provide an acceptance letter from the college, university, trade or vocation school you plan to attend or an enrollment verification letter from the registrar’s office if currently enrolled in the institution. An enrollment verification letter will also be required upon the start of the term.
- Submit copies of Birth Certificates for the applicant and the multiple birth child(ren) in order to verify multiple birth family status.
- We prefer all documents be sent together at the same time. However, if some documents need to be sent separately, they should clearly identify the applicant.
- Please mail completed applications to:
Des Moines Mothers of Multiples
Attn: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 8205
Des Moines, IA 50301
Deadline: Postmarked April 1st. We prefer all documents to be sent at the same time.
Contact: Questions can be emailed toscholarship@dmmom.com. Additional information can be found at www.dmmom.com
Amount: $500
Requirements:
- Iowa high school seniors interested in studying a manufacturing-related career.
- You can print the application at Elevate Iowa - Elevate Scholarship Program
Deadline: July 1st, 2022
Contact: Michele Farrell at mfarrell@measuredintentions.com
Amount: $1000-$3000
Requirements:
ASIST is available to adults facing economic, social, or physical challengers who are looking to improve their situation through educational opportunities. This would include individuals who are past high school ago who are entering an accredited college, university, or trade school for the first time; non-traditional students already enrolled in an accredited program, an individual seeking training due to changes in the workplace or who otherwise not a traditional college/trade school student recently finished with high school. Selection criteria include financial need; socially, physically and/or economically disadvantaged adults; displaced homemakers; and heads of household with small children or dependent adults. Applicants for the EWI Des Moines scholarship must reside in one the following counties: Adair, Appanoose, Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hardin, Jasper, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Polk, Ringgold, Story, Union, Wapello, Wayne, or Webster.
Deadline: March 25th
Applicaiton & More Information: 2024 ASIST Scholarship (mykaleidoscope.com)
Amount: $1,000 Scholarships – 4 Awards (2 in the fall, 2 in the spring)
Requirements:
- Must be a veteran of the armed forces.
- Applicant must plan to use their education to help fellow veterans.
- Provide a statement of 300 words or less on how the applicant plans to use their education to help veterans.
Deadline: May 1 & November 1
Application: http://www.hillandponton.com/veterans-scholarship/
Contact: Chad Hill at cahill@hillandponton.com
Amount: Various
Requirements:
- Must be enrolled at an accredited institution for a Facility Management or related field. “Degree” (Associate, Bachelor, and Graduate) is determined by your institution at the time of application submission
- Must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 in FM or related courses. For international students, equivalent documentation of academic achievement level equivalent to a 4.0 GPA. Click International Grade Equivalencies as a basis to determine eligibility.
- Applicants awarded a scholarship are required to attend IFMA’s World Workplace Conference and Exhibition in Anaheim, CA October 20th to 22nd and participate in the IFMA Foundation activities
- Working students are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: May 1st
Application: https://foundation.ifma.org/students-academics/scholarships
Amount: $500 Scholarships
Requirements:
- Must be a resident of Iowa
- A high school senior OR non-traditional student returning to college in the state of Iowa
- Currently a full-time student at any college, university, or community colletge in the state of Iowa
- An Environmental Health major or related field
Deadline: Must be postmarked by February 1
Application and Website: http://www.ieha.net/college-scholarship
Contact: Sandy Burke, mocoenvr@longlines.com
Amount: Varies
Requirements:
- Must be enrolled in an accredited Iowa college.
- Must be enrolled in an associate, bachelor, masters, or nurse practitioner program.
- Apply online at http://www.iowaheartfoundation.org/community/annual-scholarship-program/
Deadline: Last week of May
Contact: Iowa Heart Foundation at 515-633-3555 or email Laura Jackman, ljackman@iowaheart.com
Amount: $750 Scholarship (2)
Requirements:
- Must be an Iowa Resident.
- One award for a high school senior and a second “open” scholarship to individuals already in college or graduate school.
- Must be a current member in good standing of the Iowa Horse Council or one of its affiliated organizations.
Deadline: February 1
Application: Click here for application
Contact: Rebecca Howe RHowe75579@gmail.com or 515-689-2733
Amount: $3,500 Scholarships
Requirements:
- Must be enrolled in an accredited health care education program listed on the application.
- Be within two years of completing your education.
- Must work for an Iowa hospital. (one year per scholarship awarded)
- Must be willing to commit to working one year in an Iowa hospital for each year of scholarship award.
- Apply online at IHERF Health Care Careers 2024 Scholarship Program (mykaleidoscope.com).
Deadline: Paper applications must be postmarked by March 30
Contact: Clara Stults, or stultsc@ihaonline.org
Amount: $2,000 Scholarships – 30 total
Requirements:- Must be a legal US resident
- Must be a graduating Senior at an Iowa High School
- Must be planning on attending an eligible college the fall following the registration dates
Application Period: November - March
More Information & Application: www.IowaStudentLoan.org/2000forCollege
Contact: scholarship@studentloan.org
Amount: (6) $1,500 Scholarships
Requirements:
The ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship is open to high school seniors, and parents of students, who are:
- Legal U.S. residents.
- Residents of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota or Wisconsin.
- Planning to attend, physically or virtually, an eligible college the fall following the registration dates.
There are no financial need, minimum grade point average or class rank requirements for the ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship.
Website: https://www.iowastudentloan.org/scholarships/isl-midwest-senior-scholarship.aspx
The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) at Iowa State University has an online scholarship application called OneApp. The OneApp application is a single application for all scholarships administered through the OSFA.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Here are the steps that your students need to complete to be considered for OSFA awards:
- Go to http://www.financialaid.iastate.edu/scholarships/finaid/transfer.php
- Read the directions
- Register for a Net-ID (Directions included on website)
- Click on “Apply on our FinAidScholar Website!”
- Log in with your Net-ID
- Select the Transfer Application
- Click on “Click Here to Apply!”
- Complete the application by March 1st
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to March 1st
This application is ONLY for scholarships administered through The Office of Student Financial Aid. Please be sure to let your students know that they will need to check with their college and/or department, and private donors to maximize their scholarship search.
If you or one of your students has questions on this application or our new process, please have them email our office at scholarships@iastate.edu or call us at 515.294.5627.
Amount: Receive up to $40,000 per year to attend a 4-year undergraduate institution for tuition, living expenses, books, and other required fees.
Requirements:
To be eligible for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, at a minimum, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Sophomore Status
- Fall College Enrollment– Plan to enroll full-time in a baccalaureate program at an accredited college or university.
- GPA– Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent).
- Demonstrate unmet financial need –We will consider applicants with a maximum annual gross income of $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
- No previous enrollment or attendance at a four-year institution – Students who have attended a four-year institution in the past are not eligible for this scholarship.
- If you started at a four-year institution, but did not complete a semester of full-time study, then you may be eligible. Please contact us to verify your eligibility.
- Students who have already transferred to a four-year institution or plan to transfer to start during the spring 2023 semester are also not eligible for this scholarship.
Contact: Learn more and apply online at www.jkcf.org
Amount: Two one-year $500 Scholarships (awarded to attend Iowa Central)
$1000 scholarship (A one-year scholarship will be awarded to an Iowa resident student for tuitionto a 4 year Iowa college or university of choice.)
Requirements:
The Karl King Memorial Education Foundation exists to provide band instrument scholarships for students majoring in music. Three scholarships are to be awarded each year. This tribute is to honor the late Karl L. King, the memories of Everett and Dorothy Olson, and Tom Dowd.
- Scholarships will be awarded only to Iowa resident band instrument students. (String Bass and Piano are not considered regular “band” instruments).
- The recipient of each instrumental scholarship must be either a graduating high school senior or college freshman. The award is paid in two installments – one each semester upon receipt of a class schedule indicating enrollment in music classes.
- Applicants will audition in Fort Dodge on Sunday, April 27, 2025 before a committee of three Karl King band members. Auditions will begin at approximately 11:30 AM.
- It is recommended that selections written with an accompaniment part should be performed with live accompaniment, but not required.
- ALL finalists will be expected to play with the Karl King Band on one march that will be rehearsed after the audition (approximately 1:30 PM) and perform during their concert at 3:30 PM that afternoon.
- One scholarship winner will be invited to perform their solo on this concert.
- The finalists that are not selected will earn a $50 stipend toward expenses.
- High school seniors that do not win may re-apply as a college freshmen.
- Past recipients of this scholarship may not re-apply.
- In the event of inclement weather, the auditions will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
- Click to download the fill scholarship form
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2025.
Contact: Paul Bloomquist, Office: 515-574-1203 Cell: 514-571-4539, bloomquist@iowacentral.edu
Amount: $500
Requirements:
- Host a blood drive
- Have a minimum of 40 Donors at their blood drive
Website and Information: http://www.lifeservebloodcenter.org/host-a-drive/student-opportunities/
Contact: 1-800-287-4903 Blooddonor@lifeservebloodcenter.org
Amount: Variable, depending on scholarship
Requirements:
- Visit http://www.mgmc.org/careers/scholarships/ and click on Scholarship Opportunities to see scholarships available and requirements for each.
Deadline: Vary depending on scholarship
Contact: Melissa McGarry, 515-239-2147
Amount: $2,500 or $1,000
Requirements:
- High school seniors and undergraduate college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are:
- Sons or daughters of full-time employees of firms that are members of the IGIA. The parent must have been employed for at least two years as of January 1, 2021.
- Employees (full-time or part-time) who are full-time students employed by firms that are members of IGIA. Applicants must have worked a minimum of 300 hours for the six-month period between July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
- Employees (full-time or part-time) who are full-time students employed by firms that are members of IGIA. Applicants must have worked a minimum of 300 hours for the six-month period between July 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
Deadline: March 1st, 2022.
Application & Website: IGEF Scholarship Program - IOWA GROCERY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (iowagrocers.com)
Contact: Call Ann Seuferer at 800-383-3663 or email anns@iowagrocers.com
Applicants Include:
- Those who have battled cancer at any point in their lives (not limited to mesothelioma).
- Those who have a parent, sibling, immediate family member or close friend that has battled or is currently fighting cancer
Requirements:
- Must be enrolled full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year university, community college or junior college, or a graduate degree program.
- This scholarship is offered nationwide to US Citizens
- Students must be in academic “Good Standing” and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible.
Deadline:March 31
Contact: Visit http://www.mesothelioma.com/scholarship/ to learn more and apply.
Amount: $500 – 1 Award
Requirements:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 24..
- Submit answer to the essay question, which can be found on the application page.
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or greater.
- Be a resident of the United States or Canada
Deadline: May 1st
Application: Click here
Amount: 2,000 (8 will be awarded)
Requirements:
Applicants must be a member of NEW Cooperative or the dependent of a NEW Cooperative member or full-time employee.
Applicants shall be a full-time student that has been accepted into an accredited two-year college or four-year university, pursuing an agriculture-based degree. High school seniors as well as college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors are eligible to apply. Recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee.
Deadline: March.
Application & More Information: Scholarships - NEW Cooperative Inc.
Various scholarships for students pursuing a career in the health care field. Please click on the link for details.
http://www.publichealthonline.org/scholarships-and-grants/Amount: $500
Requirements:
Applicants must be, or plan to be enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary educational institution. The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited post-secondary educational institution at the time of award.
The Rest Right Mattress Scholarship is open US citizen, national, or permanent resident, plan on attending an accredited US institution (two- or four-year college) The recipient must have an cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Deadline: August
Amount: $5,200 and will be considered for renewal for senior year
Requirements:
- Sophomore students currently attending a community college in Iowa, who intend to transfer to one of the participating four-year institutions as a junior in the fall semester of the award year.
- Residency. Students applying for scholarships must be a United States citizen and have graduated from an accredited high school in the state of Iowa or have been a resident of the state of Iowa for at least five consecutive years immediately prior to application
- Areas of Study. Students in all fields of study are eligible for an award.
- Social Factors. Students must present evidence of unusual barriers they have encountered, or are facing, in their pursuit of full-time college attendance.
- Financial Need. Students must demonstrate financial need on the basis of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed prior to March 1st of the award year.
- Merit. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Administrative officials at the participating institutions will be required to verify GPAs for accuracy based on the student’s official academic transcript.
Deadline: Application and attachments must be submitted by April 1
Contact: Contact information for school participants listed on www.carvertrust.org
Amount: Varies
Requirements:
The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program is now accepting applications. SMART offers a unique education and workforce development opportunity for aspiring leaders in STEM.
More than a scholarship, SMART scholars receive full tuition, annual stipends, internships, mentorship, opportunities for grants and international internships, and a guaranteed civilian career with the Department of Defense after graduation.
SMART scholars encompass a diverse and passionate group of undergraduates, master’s and doctoral students, dedicated to advancing STEM. This dynamic community represents the future of innovation and leadership.
High school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: December 6, 2024
Application: https://smartscholarship.org
Amount: Varies
Requirements:
- Must be attending an accredited post-secondary institution.
- Must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a program that is at least two years in length.
Deadline: Varies
Application: https://www.scholarshipguidance.com/
Amount: Varies
Spencer Hospital in Spencer, IA has a Shine scholarship and Cornwall low interest loan program that annually awards funds to persons who have successfully completed their first semester of nursing or an allied health program, (such as radiology technologist, respiratory, speech, physical or occupational therapy, med tech, lab tech, paramedic, pharmacy, etc). These programs are not intended to be of assistance to individuals pursuing a degree in medicine, dentistry, physician assistant or veterinary science.
There is also an Adam J. Anderson scholarship program that annually awards funds to persons pursuing education & training to become a certified EMS provider (EMT through Paramedic).
Deadline: Application deadline for all scholarships and loan programs are March 31st of each year.
Application: https://www.spencerhospital.org/about-us/professional-education/scholarships/
Amount: $1,000
Requirements:
- Iowa High school.
- Must pursue program of study in any field of conservation or agriculture.
- Preference will be given to students pursuing programs of study in conservation.
- Scholarship must be used for the student’s first year of college education.
Deadline & Application Information: Scholarships - Conservation Districts of Iowa (cdiowa.org)
Contact: Conservation Districts of Iowa, admin@cdiowa.org, 515-289-8300
Amount: $2,000/year at a community college or $4,000/year at a university
Requirements:
- Work in a regulated preschool, child care center, or home program for at least 30 hours per week (or all the hours your preschool offers programming with a 20 hour minimum)
- Have worked with children birth to age 5 in current program for at least 3 months (6 months for bachelor scholarships)
- Are working toward an early childhood degree, CDA credential (or renewal), endorsement, or teacher licensure renewal at an Iowa college
- Have the support of your employer (if applicable)
- Demonstrate participation in or progress towards a quality initiative such as QRS, QPPS, Head Start, or NAEYC/NAFCC accreditation
Deadline: July 15 - fall term, November 15 - spring term, April 30 - summer term
Website & Application: T.E.A.C.H. – Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (iowaaeyc.org)
Contact: 515-331-800 or 800-469-2392 to speak with a T.E.A.C.H. counselor.
Amount: Awards range from $200-$6000
Requirements: Various scholarships available with different requirements. Complete online at www.uni.edu/finaid/scholarship
Contact: UNI Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 319-273-2700 or fin-aid@uni.edu
Amount: $1,000 monthly
Requirements:
- Varsity Tutors holds a monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest where students must write an essay in response to a monthly prompt.
- Entries are reviewed by Varsity Tutors at the end of the month and one winner is subsequently chosen to receive the $1,000 college scholarship.
- Interested students can enter the contest here: http://www.varsitytutors.com/college-scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Application: http://www.varsitytutors.com/college-scholarship
Contact: Jessica Webb at her email: jessica.webb@varsitytutors.com
Amount: $1,000
Requirements:
- Be honorably-discharged (no longer drilling) veterans or spouses of disabled veterans who have served in the United States military, including the Reserves and National Guard, and have received a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs or another document of service.
- Be high school or GED graduates who plan to enroll or students who are already enrolled in full-time undergraduate (first Bachelor's) or graduate (first Master’s degree) study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school* for the entire upcoming academic year. *College must not be on warning or probationary status with the federal government, or must not be in litigation with the federal government or a state.
- Be Pell-eligible and have applied for Title IV and completed FAFSA to ensure full discovery of actual unmet need.
- Use any military education benefits for which they are eligible in the upcoming academic year.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent
Deadline: & Application Process: Wells Fargo Veterans – Wells Fargo is strongly invested in supporting our nation's veterans (scholarsapply.org)
Contact: wellsfargoveterans@scholarshipamerica.org or call 1-507-931-1682 and ask for Wells Fargo Veterans Scholarship Program
Amount: 50 - $5,000
Western Digital is committed to expanding access to STEM education in the U.S. by reducing financial barriers and increasing representation of historically underrepresented and underserved students in the STEM field. This includes first generation college students, women, and those who self-identify as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, and Alaska Native. Students must be transferring from a community college to a four-year university.
Recipients are selected based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership in extracurricular and/or community activities, financial need, and the overall quality of the application. Scholarships are one-time awards of $5,000.
Requirements:
- Be a current full-time undergraduate student attending a two-year community college in the United States (U.S.)
- Planning to transfer to full-time enrollment at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. for the upcoming academic year (for which the scholarship will be applied)
- Pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of Engineering, Mathematics, or Science (not including agricultural, health, and other life sciences)
- Minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- Demonstrated financial need or hardship
Application Process: Click to apply

As an International Student here at Iowa Central, I’ve found a great community that acts as a platform for me to grow off of. The opportunities here both in terms of athletics and academics are endless and I look forward to reaping the rewards of my hard work.