How can families increase their student’s chances?

Highlight leadership, service, and rigorous coursework. Prepare for interviews—finalists are typically interviewed in February.

Drake University Scholarships (2025–2026)

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What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

If you’re a parent looking at private colleges in the Midwest, Drake can feel expensive at first glance. But with strong automatic merit, full-tuition competitive awards, and unique programs like the Bulldog Promise for Iowa families, the real cost can be much lower than the sticker price. This guide breaks down everything in plain English so you’ll know what’s possible—and how to line up the right aid. Don’t forget to also check our Iowa state aid guide for options that stack with Drake’s scholarships.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Drake University

Expense	Cost (2025–2026)
Tuition	$51,444
Mandatory Fees	$686
Housing & Meals (On-Campus)	$12,876
Books & Supplies	$510
Transportation	$1,240
Personal Expenses	$1,935
Average Loan Fees	$261
Total (On-Campus)	$68,952

Average Net Price: $30,886 (2022–2023 NCES data). That’s what families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships—before any student loans.

Note: Because Drake is a private university, it does not participate in regional reciprocity programs like MSEP or WUE. Instead, families reduce the cost through Drake’s own scholarships—such as automatic Presidential awards, competitive full-tuition scholarships, and the Bulldog Promise for eligible Iowans.

Cost & Aid FAQ

Who qualifies for lower tuition at Drake?
All admitted students are considered for merit scholarships, which bring down the sticker price. Iowa residents who are Pell-eligible with strong academics may qualify for the Bulldog Promise, which covers full tuition.

How much can scholarships reduce the cost?
Automatic merit alone often cuts tuition by $27,000–$35,000 per year. Competitive and need-based awards can bring the net price even lower, especially for in-state families.

Do I have to apply separately for discounts?
Automatic merit comes with admission. Some special programs (like Bulldog Promise, National Alumni, or Fine Arts awards) require separate steps or earlier deadlines—details are in the scholarship sections below.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Presidential Scholarship	$26,000–$34,000/yr	All admitted first-year students reviewed automatically; amount varies by academics (GPA/rigor, and test scores if submitted). Not available to Bright College, ABSN, or online programs.	No	Yes — full-time enrollment & satisfactory academic progress (SAP); some pathways (e.g., 3+3 Law) have special rules.	Top of range tends to go to ~3.8+ unweighted with strong rigor and/or ~30+ ACT / ~1360+ SAT if submitted; ~3.5–3.8 with solid rigor often land mid-high range. *Estimate based on Drake’s published range; no public tier grid.
Legacy Award	$2,500/yr	Child/grandchild/great-grandchild of a Drake graduate; indicate legacy in admission application. Tuition-only.	No (via admission form)	Yes — up to 8 semesters with good standing	Families with a Drake alum connection; usually stacks alongside academic merit (may affect need-based Drake Grant).
National Merit Finalist (Drake-Sponsored)	$1,500/yr	National Merit Finalists who list Drake as first choice; not available if receiving a corporate-sponsored NM award.	No	Yes	Finalists; typically stacks/coordinates with Presidential per financial aid packaging.

Note: Ranges reflect current entry-year cohorts and holistic review. In some cases, other awards may replace (not stack with) the Presidential Scholarship.

Related: National Merit Scholarship

Automatic Merit FAQ

Is a test score required for merit?
No. Drake is test-optional for admission and merit. If you submit scores, Drake will superscore the ACT and/or SAT (they combine your best section scores across dates).

How do I maximize my automatic scholarship?
Apply by Drake’s priority dates, take the most rigorous courses you can handle, and submit strong test scores if they help you. Your final award reflects GPA, rigor, and (if provided) superscored tests.

Can automatic merit stack with other awards?
Often yes (e.g., Legacy, talent/departmental). But high-value competitive awards (like full tuition) typically replace the Presidential Scholarship rather than stack. Details appear in the competitive section and on official award pages.

Do I need a separate application?
Not for the Presidential Scholarship or National Merit Finalist award. The Legacy Award is captured through your admission form. Some talent/departmental and competitive scholarships require separate steps.

*Estimated GPA/test bands are provided to give parents a realistic picture when the university does not publish a tier matrix. Always rely on your official award letter.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships go beyond automatic merit. They require extra applications, interviews, or auditions and are awarded to a limited number of top students each year. Winning one of these can make a big difference—sometimes even covering full tuition.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
National Alumni Scholarship (NAS)	Full tuition	First-year admits; based on academics, leadership, and service.	Yes — separate application and interview	Yes — maintain full-time status and good standing	Typically students with ~3.9+ GPA, a track record of rigorous courses, leadership roles, and strong service. Many winners also bring high test scores if submitted and shine in the interview process.
George A. Carpenter Scholarship	$10,000/yr	First-year admits; part of the NAS competition.	Yes — same application and interview as NAS	Yes	High-achieving students with strong academics, leadership, and interview performance.

Competitive Scholarship FAQ

Why are these called competitive?
Unlike automatic merit, these scholarships have limited slots and require extra steps such as applications, essays, or interviews.

Are competitive awards stackable?
Generally no. The National Alumni Scholarship and Carpenter Scholarship replace the automatic Presidential Scholarship, not add to it.

When are applications due?
Applications typically open in the fall, interviews take place in February, and award notifications go out by March 1. Check Drake’s scholarship portal for exact deadlines each year.

What can families do to increase their student’s chances?
Encourage your student to highlight leadership, service, and rigor in their application. Practicing for the interview also helps since finalists are invited to campus or virtual interviews in February.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the big automatic and competitive awards, Drake offers several programs that can quietly save families thousands. These “hidden gems” often serve specific groups—like Pell-eligible Iowans, students of color, or those pursuing service, leadership, or military pathways.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Bulldog Promise	Full tuition	Iowa residents who are Pell-eligible with a 3.5+ GPA (for fall 2026 entry and beyond).	No — awarded with admission and FAFSA	Yes — student must remain Pell-eligible and maintain good standing	Iowa families with financial need and strong academic records who file the FAFSA on time.
Crew Scholars	$500/yr	Domestic first-year students of any major who commit to leadership and community engagement.	Yes — program application	Yes — with continued participation and academic progress	Students who demonstrate leadership potential and want active campus involvement with social/academic support.
Center for Public Democracy Scholarship	$5,000/yr	Entering first-year students admitted as Public Democracy Scholars.	Yes — Public Democracy Scholars application	Yes	Students with a demonstrated interest in civic engagement, social justice, or public service.
Fine Arts Scholarships	$1,000–$10,000/yr (based on audition/portfolio)	Students in Music, Art & Design, or Theatre who audition or submit a portfolio; not limited to majors.	Yes — audition or portfolio review	Yes — must maintain good standing and program participation (ensembles, lessons, or productions)	Students who perform well in auditions or present strong creative portfolios.
ROTC Scholarships	Up to full tuition + stipend	Army or Air Force ROTC cadets who meet academic, fitness, and medical standards; service commitment required.	Yes — ROTC application and contracting	Yes — as long as requirements are met	Students committed to military service; STEM majors often prioritized in AFROTC.

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA/test score notes reflect current published data or Drake’s official pages. Where no exact range was provided (e.g., Fine Arts), an evidence-based estimate is given to help families plan.

Departmental Scholarships: Many of Drake’s colleges (Business, Education, Journalism & Mass Communication, etc.) offer their own donor-funded awards with separate applications.
Drake Grant: Need-based institutional grant awarded through FAFSA; amount varies each year.
Federal Grants: Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) for qualifying students.
Iowa Tuition Grant: State-funded need-based grant for Iowa residents at private universities like Drake.

Hidden Gem FAQ

Are these awards automatic?
No. Most hidden gems require an extra application or specific eligibility (like Pell status, identity, or ROTC commitment). The Bulldog Promise is the closest to automatic but still requires FAFSA filing and GPA review.

Can hidden gems stack with other scholarships?
Yes, in many cases. For example, Crew or Changemaker awards stack on top of Presidential merit. ROTC covers tuition but can also be paired with other aid for housing, meals, or fees.

Do these awards cover full costs?
Bulldog Promise covers tuition only. ROTC can cover tuition plus provide a stipend, but students are still responsible for housing, meals, and fees unless other aid applies.

When should students apply?
Cohort applications (Crew, Changemaker, Global Leaders Corps) are usually due in the winter or early spring. ROTC scholarships follow federal board timelines, which can open as early as senior year of high school.

⭐ College Specialty

Drake University may be a smaller private school in Iowa, but it punches above its weight in a few areas. Families looking at health sciences, pharmacy, law, or journalism will find programs with strong reputations and direct career pipelines. Drake is not an R1 research university, but its professional schools and career-focused degrees carry weight nationally.

Pharmacy & Health Sciences: Drake’s College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences is consistently recognized for producing practice-ready graduates. Its PharmD program offers early assurance and professional partnerships that stand out across the Midwest.

Journalism & Mass Communication: Accredited by ACEJMC and ranked among the top journalism schools in the Midwest, with award-winning student publications and a 97% placement rate within six months of graduation.
Business (Zimpleman College of Business): AACSB-accredited and well known statewide for actuarial science, accounting, and analytics programs that feed directly into Des Moines’ insurance and finance industries.
Law (Drake University Law School): One of the oldest law schools west of the Mississippi, recognized for its legal writing program and strong regional placement, including Iowa’s judicial and government sectors.
Education: The School of Education is respected regionally for preparing teachers and educational leaders, especially in STEM education and leadership pathways.

🎖️ Honors College

Drake’s Honors Program is designed for curious students who enjoy reading, writing, and diving deeper into their courses. It’s not an extra year of college—it’s a flexible track that lets motivated students take smaller seminars, build close relationships with faculty, and complete a senior thesis project that stands out on grad school or job applications.

What a Typical Drake Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA in the 3.7–4.0 range*, strong writing and reading skills, leadership or service experience, and an eagerness to take on challenging coursework.

*GPA estimate based on Drake’s published Honors requirements and typical Honors cohorts; exact admission cutoffs are not publicly listed.

Honors Perks that Matter:

Priority access to Honors Foundations courses (if admitted by the March priority deadline)
Small, discussion-based seminars
Dedicated faculty mentorship and a required senior thesis
Honors designation on diploma and transcript

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
John August Book Award	Covers cost of required Honors Program books	Incoming first-year or transfer students admitted to the Honors Program by the priority deadline	Yes — Honors Program application (includes three short-answer responses)	Yes — renewable each year with continued Honors Track participation	Students who apply on time, are accepted into Honors, and stay engaged with Honors coursework and requirements

Honors students are also eligible for Drake’s other scholarships (Presidential, National Alumni, Carpenter, etc.), which are awarded based on academic merit and leadership. These can be combined with Honors participation.

Honors Program FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply separately to the Honors Program, usually by the March priority deadline. Applications after that date are reviewed as space allows, but late admits miss out on certain benefits like the book award.

Does Honors add time to my degree?
No. Honors courses fulfill general education requirements and the thesis integrates with your major, so it doesn’t extend graduation time.

Are there extra scholarships?
Yes, the John August Book Award provides book cost coverage for students admitted to Honors by the priority deadline. (See Hidden Gems section for details.)

What GPA is required to stay in Honors?
Students must maintain at least a 3.2 GPA at Drake and complete the required thesis to graduate with University Honors.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

At first glance, Drake’s price tag might make parents nervous—but once you factor in automatic merit, full-tuition competitive awards, and hidden gems like the Bulldog Promise, the real cost looks very different. Families in Iowa especially can see dramatic savings, while out-of-state students still benefit from generous merit ranges and specialty programs in pharmacy, business, law, and journalism. If your student is a strong academic performer and wants a private school with professional pipelines, Drake can be a smart investment.

✅ Last updated: September 16, 2025