Drake is a private school, so everyone pays the same sticker price whether you live in Des Moines or Denver. The good news is that nobody actually pays that sticker price. Every full-time student who comes straight from high school gets a Presidential Scholarship, and Drake locks your tuition for four years so it never goes up while your student is enrolled. Applying is simple, too: the Common App or Drake’s own free application both work, no essay or test scores required.
National Alumni Scholarship (1 per year) & Bulldog Promise (Pell-eligible Iowans)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Drake University (Read This First)
Drake scholarships only pay tuition. Almost every Drake award is “tuition-specific,” and all of them together stop at full tuition. Housing and meals (about $13,500 a year) have to come from somewhere else: grants, savings, work, or loans.
Tuition is locked. Housing is not. The Tuition Guarantee freezes your tuition for four years, but room and board can still go up every year.
The Presidential amount never grows. Whatever number your student gets at admission is the number for all four years. A stronger senior year does not raise it later.
December 1 is the big money date. The full-tuition National Alumni Scholarship requires a 3.8 GPA and BOTH a finished admission file and a separate NAS application by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 1. No exceptions.
Fine Arts money has a catch. If your student wins a Fine Arts Scholarship, they can no longer receive the need-based Drake Grant or Drake Supplemental Grant. Run the numbers before you celebrate.
Start the admission app before anything else. Drake’s scholarship and program applications live inside the same portal, and you can’t open them until the admission application exists.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. Drake University is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 24–31; SAT: 1120–1370.
Average net price? About $29,127/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No. It is a private school, so everyone pays the same rate.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Drake University: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest Drake University has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $1,300 to $3,300 more than the total below.
✔ Same price for every student, no matter which state you live in.
All students: billed cost per year
$66,504
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$52,988
Housing & meals (typical)
$13,516
Total billed cost
$66,504
Average federal net price: $29,127 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
🔒 Drake’s Tuition Guarantee
Here’s something most private schools don’t do. Once your student enrolls, Drake will not raise their tuition for four years. Tuition for students starting in fall 2027 is $54,578, and that’s the number on the bill every year through graduation. Drake estimates this saves families about $12,700 over four years compared with schools that raise tuition annually while your scholarship stays flat.
Fine print: the guarantee covers tuition only. Housing, meals, and fees can still change. It applies to full-time undergraduates (pre-pharmacy students during their first two years), not part-time or graduate students.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Drake University
How much does Drake cost per year?
For 2026–27, tuition is $52,988 and a standard double room plus the base meal plan runs about $13,516, so direct costs land around $66,500 before any aid. Add small fees (wellness $350, student activity $260, and a one-time $170 new student fee) and an optional $534 Course Ready program that covers all required books and materials.
What will tuition be for students starting in fall 2027?
Drake has already published 2027–28 tuition: $54,578. Thanks to the Tuition Guarantee, that number stays the same all four years. Housing and meal rates for 2027–28 come out in February 2027.
What do families actually pay for tuition after the Presidential Scholarship?
Drake says net tuition for fall 2027 freshmen lands between about $19,578 and $27,578 after the Presidential Scholarship alone. That’s before any need-based grants, program scholarships, or outside money.
Does Drake charge more for out-of-state students?
No. Drake is private, so a student from Texas pays the same tuition as a student from Iowa. There’s no regional exchange discount (like WUE or the Academic Common Market) at Drake, but there’s also no out-of-state premium to escape.
Can Drake scholarships help pay for housing?
Not really. Drake’s merit awards are tuition-specific, and all of them combined stop at full tuition. Even a student with a full-tuition package still has to cover room, board, and fees. Federal and state grants, work-study, and outside scholarships are what fill that gap.
Is there extra state money for Iowa families?
Yes. Iowa residents who file the FAFSA by July 1 can be considered for the Iowa Tuition Grant, and Pell-eligible Iowans with a 3.5 GPA may qualify for the full-tuition Bulldog Promise. Out-of-state families should check whether their own state grant can travel to a private school in Iowa (most can’t).
What’s the average net price at Drake?
The most recent federal College Scorecard figure is about $29,127 a year after grants and scholarships. Your number depends heavily on your Presidential amount and your family’s financial aid eligibility, so run Drake’s Net Price Calculator with your real numbers.
November 1: National Alumni Scholarship application opens.
December 1: NAS deadline (full tuition). Early Action filers also hear about their Presidential amount first.
January 18–29: Crew, Zimpleman, Journalism, Boys & Girls Club, Public Democracy, Changemaker, and CODE applications close.
February 18–19: Business Dean Team and Fine Arts priority deadlines.
March 1: Bulldog Promise admission file due; FAFSA priority date.
March 4 & March 11: Honors Program book award and Global Leaders Corps.
Kitchen-table rule: get the admission application in by December 1, even if your student isn’t sure about Drake yet. It’s free, and it unlocks every scholarship application on this list.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at Drake University
Every full-time first-year student admitted straight from high school gets a Presidential Scholarship. There’s no separate application, and the amount arrives with the admission decision. Test scores are optional, and if your student sends them, Drake superscores both the ACT and SAT.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
Presidential Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$26,000–$36,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Legacy, National Merit, Carpenter, departmental, program and fine arts awards, but all tuition-specific awards combined cannot exceed the cost of tuition. Replaced by the full-tuition National Alumni Scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
Automatic merit award for full-time first-year students admitted directly from high school who are charged Drake's traditional undergraduate tuition rate. Drake's scholarship page lists $26,000–$36,500 per year for students entering fall 2024 or later; Drake's cost pages describe it as covering 51–66% of tuition. Not available to Bright College, Accelerated BSN, or online program students. Renews at the amount awarded at admission.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Every full-time first-year student admitted directly from high school into a traditional campus program. Drake does not publish a GPA-to-amount chart; the amount reflects academic achievement at admission and stays fixed for four years.
Automatic
Legacy Award
📅 Deadline: No separate application. Disclose the legacy connection on the admission application. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with the Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards; applied to tuition only.
💡
Strategic Detail
A $2,500 annual tuition benefit for students with a Drake family connection. One award per student, renewable for up to eight semesters (four academic years) of full-time undergraduate enrollment.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any admitted student who is a child, grandchild, or great-grandchild of a Drake graduate, as long as that alum's degree was conferred before the student enrolls.
Automaticnational merit
National Merit Finalist (Drake-Sponsored)
📅 Deadline: Name Drake as first-choice institution with NMSC by the national deadline. No Drake application required. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks on top of the Presidential Scholarship. Not available to students who receive a corporate-sponsored National Merit award.
💡
Strategic Detail
A Drake-sponsored $1,500 annual award that stacks on top of the Presidential Scholarship for National Merit Finalists who designate Drake first. Mutually exclusive with corporate-sponsored National Merit awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: National Merit Finalists who name Drake as their first-choice school with NMSC, the scholarship is triggered automatically by that designation.
Data last verified Oct 14, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: Drake’s own pages don’t quite agree on the Presidential range. The scholarship page lists $26,000–$36,500 per year, while the cost pages work out to about $27,000–$35,000. We show the scholarship page’s range. Either way, the award is guaranteed, and it stacks with Legacy and National Merit awards up to full tuition.
Automatic Merit FAQs (Drake University)
How much is the Presidential Scholarship?
Between $26,000 and $36,500 per year according to Drake’s scholarship page. Drake doesn’t publish a GPA chart, so the best way to estimate your student’s amount is Drake’s Net Price Calculator, which asks for GPA.
Does my student need test scores to get the Presidential?
No. Drake is test-optional for admission and the Presidential is awarded at admission. If your student has a strong score, sending it can’t hurt, and Drake will superscore it.
Does the Presidential renew all four years?
Yes, as long as your student stays full-time (12+ credits) and makes satisfactory academic progress. It renews for up to four years or until a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first, and always at the original amount.
What is the Legacy Award?
A $2,500 per year tuition award for children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Drake graduates. List the connection on the admission application. The family member’s Drake degree has to be finished before your student enrolls.
Does Drake give National Merit money?
A small amount. National Merit Finalists who name Drake as their first choice can get a renewable $1,500 per year on top of the Presidential. Students who win a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship aren’t eligible for Drake’s version.
Who doesn’t get the Presidential?
Students in Bright College (Drake’s two-year associate program), the Accelerated BSN, and online programs. Those students have different aid paths.
What about pharmacy and the 3+3 programs?
Undergraduate scholarships only cover the undergraduate years. Pharmacy students keep them through the second year of the PharmD (P2). Law 3+3 and OTD 3+3 students keep them for three years. Plan for those professional years separately.
Drake’s flagship competition is the National Alumni Scholarship (NAS). One student a year wins full tuition. The next three finalists each win a $10,000 per year Carpenter Scholarship on top of their Presidential. Your student needs a 3.8 GPA to apply, and everything is due December 1, 2026.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at Drake?
Aid Type
Stacks with Presidential?
Drake Parent Translation
National Alumni Scholarship
Replaces it
The full-tuition NAS takes the place of the Presidential. It covers tuition only, not housing.
Carpenter Scholarship
Yes
$10,000 a year added on top of the Presidential, up to full tuition. That’s a serious package.
Program & Department Awards
Yes
CODE, Public Democracy, Changemaker, business, and journalism awards all stack, but the total stops at full tuition.
Fine Arts Scholarships
Yes, with a catch
Stacks with merit, but winners can’t receive the need-based Drake Grant or Drake Supplemental Grant.
Federal & State Grants
Usually
Pell and the Iowa Tuition Grant are how many families cover housing, since Drake merit stops at tuition.
Here’s the honest math. NAS is a long shot by design: one winner a year. But the semi-finalist round is where real money moves. If your student has a 3.8 and a story to tell about leadership or initiative, the $10,000 Carpenter is a realistic target, and it’s worth the extra application on December 1.
Full TuitionApp Requiredpipeline
National Alumni Scholarship (NAS)
📅 Deadline: December 1 · 📢 Results: Semi-finalists notified late January; virtual interviews Feb 2–11, 2027; awards announced by March 5, 2027. ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition
✘ Not stackable
⚠ One full-tuition award per year, plus three $10,000/year Carpenter awards. Treat full tuition as possible, not likely.
🏫 3.8+ GPA
📄
How to Apply
Start the Drake admission application first (the NAS form lives in the same portal). Complete every admission checklist item and the NAS application by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 1, 2026. Semi-finalists pick a virtual interview slot on a first-come basis.
Selection criteria: Holistic evaluation of academics, leadership, service, work ethic, initiative, and interview performance. Minimum 3.8 GPA or top 5% class rank required to apply.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Drake's most competitive scholarship. One full-tuition award per year goes to the top finalist; three $10,000 Carpenter Scholarships go to the next semi-finalists. Application opens November 1, 2026. Recipients meet each semester with Alumni & Development and help with future NAS competition days.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students entering directly from high school with a 3.8+ cumulative GPA who also show leadership, sustained commitment, initiative and a real love of learning. Only one student wins the full-tuition award each year.
App Required
George A. Carpenter Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 1 · 📢 Results: By March 5, 2027 ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA👥 ~3 winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
The $10,000 Carpenter Scholarship stacks on top of a student's Presidential Scholarship ($27,000–$35,000 per year), up to the cost of full tuition. This is a meaningful stack, together these awards can get very close to full coverage.
📄
How to Apply
No separate Carpenter application. Apply through the National Alumni Scholarship by December 1, 2026; the top three semi-finalists after the virtual interviews receive Carpenter Scholarships.
Selection criteria: Holistic review of academics, leadership, service, and interview outcomes among NAS semi-finalists. Minimum 3.8 GPA or top 5% class rank required.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
$10,000 per year competitive scholarship awarded to three top NAS semi-finalists. Accessed through the NAS application process, no separate application required. Three recipients per cycle.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: The three strongest NAS semi-finalists who didn't win the full-tuition award. If your student is in that top semi-finalist tier, this is a realistic outcome, $10,000/year stacked on their Presidential Scholarship is a substantial package.
Data last verified Oct 14, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
When is the National Alumni Scholarship deadline?
December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central. The application opens November 1. Both the complete admission file (every checklist item) and the separate NAS application must be in by then. Drake does not make exceptions.
What GPA does my student need to apply for NAS?
A cumulative 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale, entering directly from high school. Beyond grades, Drake looks for leadership, a strong work ethic, initiative, and a genuine love of learning.
How does the NAS interview work?
Applicants are narrowed to semi-finalists, who are notified in late January. Semi-finalists choose a virtual interview slot between February 2 and February 11, 2027. Slots go first-come, first-served, so book quickly. Awards are announced by March 5, 2027.
How many students win the Carpenter Scholarship?
Three per year, each worth $10,000 a year, awarded to the top semi-finalists after interviews. There’s no separate Carpenter application. It comes through the NAS process.
What does it take to keep NAS or Carpenter money?
A 3.25 GPA at Drake, full-time enrollment, a meeting each semester with Drake’s alumni office, and helping out at future NAS competition days.
Does the full-tuition NAS cover housing?
No. It’s restricted to tuition and replaces the Presidential Scholarship. Your family would still budget for room, board, and fees.
What should my student prepare?
A clear, specific record of activities and leadership plus thoughtful writing. Our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder help organize it all before November.
At Drake, the admission application is the key that unlocks everything else. Every program and department scholarship uses the same login, and none of them open until the admission application exists.
Start the admission application early in the fall (it’s free and no essay is required).
File the FAFSA. Drake’s code is 001860. Crew requires it, Bulldog Promise depends on it, and many donor awards factor in need.
Apply to the big-school application that matches the major: Zimpleman (business), SJMC (journalism), or School of Education.
Add one or two program apps that fit your student: CODE, Public Democracy, Changemaker, or Global Leaders Corps.
Screenshot every submission confirmation.
Parent translation: the Presidential shows up on its own. Everything else on this page only happens if your student asks for it.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards aren’t automatic, but most of them stack on top of the Presidential up to full tuition. A few are worth a lot more than families expect: a full-tuition path for Iowa students, a physics exam that can pay for four years, and a federal grant that covers tuition for future rehabilitation professionals.
Full TuitionAutomaticgeographicneed based
Bulldog Promise
📅 Deadline: March 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition
✔ Stackable
⚠ Iowa residents who meet GPA and financial‑need criteria can attend Drake tuition‑free through Bulldog Promise; families still pay housing, meals, and other non‑tuition costs
🏫 3.5+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers tuition for qualifying Pell-eligible Iowa residents; other aid such as grants and scholarships may be applied first, with Bulldog Promise filling to full tuition.
💡
Strategic Detail
Tuition-only commitment program targeting Pell-eligible Iowa students with strong academics; must maintain Pell eligibility and satisfactory academic progress.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Iowa residents with Pell eligibility, 3.5+ GPA, and timely FAFSA filing who enroll full time and remain in good standing.
Full TuitionApp Required
Drake Physics Prize
📅 Deadline: Dates announced each year by the Physics & Astronomy department (the 2026 cycle closed January 10 with an on-campus exam in late February). · 📢 Results: Semi-finalists notified by February 2; winners announced the week following February 27 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition
✔ Stackable
👥 ~3 winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Partial awards stack with Presidential up to full tuition. The first-place award covers tuition by itself.
📄
How to Apply
Submit a Drake admission application and the separate Physics Prize application by January 10. Application includes academic information, co-curricular activities, transcripts, recommendation letters, and an essay on 'Why I want to study physics.' Top senior applicants are selected by February 2 and invited to campus February 27 for the Physics Prize Test and program events.
Selection criteria: Phase 1: Application review of academics, activities, transcript, recommendations, and essay. Phase 2: On-campus Physics Prize Exam covering classical mechanics, waves, energy, rotational motion, and sound.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Running since 1970. First place: four-year, full-tuition scholarship to study physics at Drake. Second place: Helmick-Cruisenberry partial-tuition scholarship. Third place: William Humphrey partial-tuition scholarship (aimed at, not limited to, computational physics). Top 20 receive a certificate. Any AI or outside help on the exam means disqualification.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: High school seniors who love physics and can handle a rigorous two-hour exam on first-semester high school physics (mechanics, energy, momentum, rotation, waves, sound). Faculty first screen applications, transcripts, recommendations and an essay on why the student wants to study physics.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlymajor specificservice commitment
📅 Deadline: Rolling; contact the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Drake has not published how RSA combines with the Presidential Scholarship. Ask the National Rehabilitation Institute director (Dr. Matt Bruinekool) before counting on both.
📄
How to Apply
Declare the Disability and Rehabilitation Services major and contact Dr. Matt Bruinekool (matt.bruinekool@drake.edu), Director of the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake, about funding and service requirements.
💡
Strategic Detail
Federally funded grant (U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration) for undergraduates in Drake's Disability and Rehabilitation Services major. Can cover up to 100% of tuition for the 49-credit major, plus a small book stipend each semester; the amount depends on major credits taken. Service payback: one year of work in an approved rehabilitation or disability services setting for every 10 credit hours funded. Skip the service and the money must be repaid.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who already plan a career serving people with disabilities, such as vocational rehabilitation, VA programs or community disability nonprofits. For them the payback is simply the job they wanted anyway.
App Required
Community of Digital Excellence (CODE) Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 29 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Submit Drake admission application and all required materials by January 29. Complete the separate CODE scholarship application by January 29, including one essay response. Must declare a major in the Drake Digital Proficiency Platform (math, math education, computer science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, or information systems).
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing academic achievement, collaborative potential, financial need, and commitment to digital proficiency community engagement.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A four-year cohort scholarship for students majoring in math, computer science, data analytics, AI, or information systems. CODE Scholars commit to 40 hours of Digital Proficiency community service per year (e.g., tutoring, coding events, research) and monthly cohort meetings. If a student changes to a non-qualifying major, the scholarship is not renewed.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Tech-minded students who bring both academic ability and a collaborative, community-minded spirit. Preference goes to students with demonstrated financial need and a consistent record of taking math or computer science courses throughout high school. This isn't a pure merit contest, collaboration and unique perspectives matter.
App Required
Institute for Public Democracy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 28 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition. Scholars may also apply for additional summer funding for unpaid internships or research.
📄
How to Apply
Submit Drake admission application and all required materials by January 29. Submit the separate Public Democracy Scholar application by January 29. Transcripts must be postmarked or submitted with the Drake application.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing civic passion, leadership, democratic values, and community engagement. 3.5 minimum GPA. Financial need considered as a preference factor.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A four-year $5,000/year scholarship for students committed to civic engagement and democratic leadership. Scholars participate in immersive programming, fully-funded travel, and leadership opportunities through the Ron and Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy. Open to any major. Students must enroll at Drake by May 1 to hold their spot.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who are passionate about democracy, civic leadership, and public participation, any major welcome. Scientists, artists, and activists are as important here as pre-law students. Preference given to applicants with demonstrated financial need.
App Required
Changemaker Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: January 28 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for Drake admission and submit the separate Changemaker Scholars application by January 29. Both the admission application and all required materials must be submitted by that same date.
Selection criteria: Holistic review emphasizing civic engagement, leadership, service-learning commitment, and community impact. No minimum ACT/SAT required.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A four-year cohort program open to any major. Scholars receive $5,000/year plus exclusive access to mentoring, civic engagement experiences, leadership development, non-profit and start-up partnerships, and the opportunity to earn a Leadership minor. Students must enroll at Drake by May 1 to hold their place.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who are genuinely driven by community impact, not just good grades. Changemaker Scholars are civic entrepreneurs at heart: people who've started things, led organizations, or found creative solutions to problems in their communities. Any major is welcome.
App Required
Zimpleman College of Business Donor Scholarships
📅 Deadline: January 21 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Submit Drake admission application and the unified Zimpleman College of Business Scholarship application by January 22. Include a personal essay. FAFSA recommended for need-based consideration.
Selection criteria: Holistic review across 35+ donor funds; some awards weight financial need, others are merit-only. Indicate actuarial science major to access those specific awards.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Over 35 donor scholarships available through one unified application for all Zimpleman College of Business majors (fall entry only). Actuarial Science students use the same application and should indicate their major to be considered for actuarial-specific awards. FAFSA not required but strongly recommended.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Business students, accounting, finance, marketing, management, economics, actuarial science, data analytics, and more, who apply early. Over 35 separate donor scholarships are accessible through a single application, ranging $1,000 to $5,000 per year. Some awards weight financial need; FAFSA improves your odds.
App Requiredmajor specific
Roger K. Brooks Actuarial Science Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 21 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 2 yrs)
$3,500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential and other Drake awards up to the cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Drake, submit the unified Zimpleman College of Business scholarship application with actuarial science listed as the major, and file the FAFSA by January 21, 2027.
💡
Strategic Detail
$3,500 award for entering first-year actuarial science majors, renewable through sophomore year. Funded by friends of retired AmerUs Chairman Roger Brooks. FAFSA (or ISFIF for international students) required.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Incoming actuarial science majors with strong academics who stay in the major and keep a 3.0 GPA.
App Requiredmajor specific
Dr. Newt Bowers Endowed Scholarship (Actuarial Science)
📅 Deadline: January 21 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential and other Drake awards up to the cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Drake and submit the unified Zimpleman College of Business scholarship application with actuarial science listed as the major by January 21, 2027.
💡
Strategic Detail
$1,000 per year for an entering first-year actuarial science major, renewable up to four years in good academic standing. Named for emeritus actuarial science professor Dr. Newt Bowers.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: An incoming actuarial science major who stays in the major and in good academic standing.
App Required
School of Journalism & Mass Communication Scholarships
📅 Deadline: January 21 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Drake admission application and the unified SJMC Scholarships application by January 25. FAFSA submission is recommended as most awards factor in financial need.
Selection criteria: Holistic review across multiple named scholarships. 3.5 minimum HS GPA, demonstrated financial need (most awards), and SJMC major required. Single application covers all eligible SJMC awards.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
One SJMC application covers every donor-funded journalism scholarship plus the SJMC Dean Team. Most named awards require a 3.5 high school GPA and demonstrated financial need; renewal GPAs run 3.0 to 3.5 depending on the award. Dean Team Scholars get a one-time $500 book award and monthly meetings with the Dean in year one.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Aspiring journalists, broadcasters, magazine editors, and media professionals with strong academic records and demonstrated financial need. Named awards include the Katharine Futch Scholarship, Sheila Wolfe Award (Chicago-area preference), Woodward Endowed Scholarship, and E.T. Meredith Scholarship (preference for underrepresented students). The SJMC Dean Team is also available for a $500 book stipend with major perks.
App Required
School of Education Donor Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Deadlines vary; awards announced mid to late spring. FAFSA strongly encouraged. · 📢 Results: March 20 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Drake, submit the School of Education scholarship application, and file the FAFSA (Drake code 001860).
Selection criteria: Holistic review across up to 25 donor funds; some awards weight financial need, others are merit-only. Single application covers all eligible awards.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Donor-funded awards for undergraduate education majors through one School of Education application. Some (Goodenow, Middleton Urban Education, Donald D. Shaw STEM Educators) may be awarded automatically at admission; a few are need-based, so filing the FAFSA matters.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Future elementary and secondary teachers, with extra attention to students heading into STEM teaching and students with financial need.
App Required
Fine Arts Scholarships (Art & Design, Music, Theatre)
📅 Deadline: February 19 · 📢 Results: March 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Combines with Presidential and other Drake aid up to full tuition. Fine Arts Scholarship recipients are NOT eligible for the need-based Drake Grant or Drake Supplemental Grant.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Drake first, then submit the portfolio (Art & Design) or schedule an audition (Music, Theatre) by February 19, 2027. Early is better because review is rolling.
Selection criteria: Talent-based; criteria and process managed by each fine arts department independently.
💡
Strategic Detail
Competitive, talent-based awards for incoming fine arts degree students. Art & Design requires a portfolio (6–8 images) or a short art history writing sample; Music and Theatre require an audition. Students may apply in more than one area but can receive only one Fine Arts Scholarship. Renewable up to four years.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with strong portfolios or auditions who are pursuing a fine arts bachelor's degree. Music also considers minors and non-major ensemble participants; Art & Design and Theatre do not.
App Required
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 21 · 📢 Results: March 19, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$7,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards up to cost of tuition.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for Drake admission, then complete the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa Scholarship application. Submit by January 22 for priority consideration.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based on B&GC membership; preference given to Greg and Suzie Burt Club at Drake members.
💡
Strategic Detail
Two renewable awards for Central Iowa Boys & Girls Club members. Available to all undergraduate students at Drake including Bright College students. Preference given to members of the Greg and Suzie Burt Club located at Drake's campus.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Current or past members of any Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa location. Two separate named awards are available: the Jane and John Evans Scholarship ($2,500 to $7,000/year) and the Kelly Caldbeck and Ted Thoms Scholarship ($1,000/year). Preference given to members of the Greg and Suzie Burt Club at Drake University.
App Required
Global Leaders Corps
📅 Deadline: March 11 Non-Renewable
$3,000–$4,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~10 winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Study abroad grant ($3,000–$4,000) stacks on top of any existing Drake merit awards. Scholars also get priority access to paid employment and conference funding.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Drake admission application and transcripts by March 11, 2027, attend a virtual or on-campus visit by that date, and submit the separate Global Leaders Corps application with two video essays.
Selection criteria: Holistic review of global commitment, intercultural engagement, leadership potential, and video essay quality. 3.5 minimum GPA. 8–10 spots per cohort.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A highly selective cohort program (8–10 students) for students committed to global leadership. The centerpiece financial benefit is a $3,000–$4,000 study abroad grant, plus priority access to paid employment, conference funding, and YALI/diplomatic engagement opportunities. Sponsored by the Principal Center for Global Citizenship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with a genuine passion for international affairs, cross-cultural leadership, and global service, any major welcome. Only 8 to 10 students per cohort, making this one of Drake's most selective special programs. If your student has a track record of engaging with global issues or international communities, this is tailor-made.
App Required
Zimpleman College of Business Dean Team
📅 Deadline: February 18 · 📢 Results: Late March 2027 Non-Renewable
$500
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to Drake with a Zimpleman major listed first. Submit the separate Dean Team application, including two video essays, by February 18, 2027. This is separate from the general business scholarship application.
Selection criteria: Holistic review of academic achievement, business interest, leadership potential, and video essay performance. 3.8 minimum GPA; first-generation students receive special consideration.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Small-group meetings with the Dean of the Zimpleman College of Business during the first semester, plus a one-time $500 book award. Must list a Zimpleman major as first choice, have a 3.8+ high school GPA, and keep a 3.0 at Drake to stay in the program. Must enroll by May 1, 2027.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
High-achieving business students (3.8+ GPA) who visit campus or attend a virtual event before the deadline. First-generation college students get special consideration.
App Required
Crew Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: January 18 ✓ Renews
$500/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential Scholarship and other Drake institutional awards. Not available to students receiving Tuition Exchange or students whose tuition is already 100% funded.
📄
How to Apply
Apply and be admitted to Drake, submit the Crew Scholars form, and file the FAFSA. Transfer students request a personalized form from the program director.
Selection criteria: Holistic selection focused on commitment to community, campus involvement, and program participation. Three cohorts of 20 selected per cycle.
💡
Strategic Detail
$500 per year renewable tuition scholarship tied to a two-year cohort program: a summer day, three days before Welcome Weekend, then weekly Crew Connections meetings through sophomore year. Fall entry only. FAFSA required. Not available to Tuition Exchange recipients or students whose tuition is already fully funded.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students of any major who want a close-knit support group from day one and can commit to two years of mandatory Crew programming.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
ROTC Scholarships
📅 Deadline: National Army and Air Force ROTC scholarship deadlines vary by cycle ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
tuition plus stipend
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
ROTC can cover up to full tuition plus a stipend; may be combined with other aid for housing, meals, and fees, but institutional tuition aid may be adjusted to avoid over-awarding.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for Army or Air Force ROTC scholarships through their respective national processes; meet academic, fitness, and medical standards; contract as a cadet while enrolled at Drake.
Selection criteria: National ROTC boards assess academic performance, leadership potential, physical fitness, and commitment to military service.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes Army and Air Force ROTC scholarships; provides tuition coverage plus living stipend for contracted cadets in exchange for a service commitment.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students committed to military service who meet ROTC academic, fitness, and medical standards; STEM majors may be prioritized in AFROTC.
Data last verified Oct 14, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
Who qualifies for the Bulldog Promise?
Iowa residents entering college for the first time with a 3.5+ high school GPA who are eligible for a federal Pell Grant. The admission application and documents are due March 1, 2027, and the 2027–28 FAFSA must be filed before July 1, 2027. Drake fills the gap so tuition is fully covered after other aid. Housing and meals are still on the family.
What is the CODE Scholarship?
$5,000 a year for students majoring in math, math education, computer science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, or information systems. Scholars give 40 hours a year of tech-related service, like tutoring or running coding events. The deadline is January 29, 2027, with one essay.
What’s the difference between Public Democracy Scholars and Changemaker Scholars?
Both pay $5,000 a year and close January 28, 2027. Public Democracy (3.5 GPA) centers on civic life: elections, policy, social movements, and funded travel. Changemaker (3.0 GPA) centers on community impact through service, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurship, with a path to a Leadership minor. Pick the one that matches what your student already does.
Is there special money for actuarial science?
Yes. Through the single Zimpleman business application (due January 21, 2027), actuarial majors are also considered for the $3,500 Roger K. Brooks Scholarship (renewable through sophomore year, FAFSA required) and the $1,000 Dr. Newt Bowers Scholarship (renewable up to four years). One application covers more than 35 business awards.
How does the Drake Physics Prize work?
High school seniors apply with transcripts, recommendations, and an essay. Top applicants take a two-hour physics exam on campus. First place wins a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to study physics at Drake, and second and third place get partial tuition. Dates are announced each year by the physics department. The 2026 cycle closed January 10.
What is the RSA Scholarship?
A federally funded award for Drake’s Disability and Rehabilitation Services major that can cover up to all of the major’s tuition plus a small book stipend. The trade-off is a service payback: one year of work in an approved disability services setting for every 10 credit hours funded. Contact the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake for details.
Does the Fine Arts Scholarship affect other aid?
Yes, and this one surprises families. Fine Arts winners are not eligible for the need-based Drake Grant or Drake Supplemental Grant. For a family with significant need, compare both packages before accepting.
What if we miss a priority deadline?
Several applications (Zimpleman, Journalism, Boys & Girls Club, Honors) stay open until May 1 or until money runs out, and Crew keeps reviewing after its date. Changemaker and the NAS do not accept late applications.
Drake runs an Honors Program (not a separate Honors College). It’s built for students who want to reach beyond their major: interdisciplinary courses that lean heavily on reading, writing, and discussion. Admission isn’t automatic. Your student fills out a short Honors application after applying to Drake.
Application: Three short-answer questions, submitted through the same Drake admission portal
Priority Deadline: March 4, 2027
Award Notification: By April 16, 2027 for priority applicants
Honors Program Scholarships
App Required
Honors Program: John August Book Award
📅 Deadline: March 4 · 📢 Results: April 16, 2027 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
👥 ~3 winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Presidential and other institutional scholarships; covers qualified Honors Program book purchases only and does not reduce tuition cost.
📄
How to Apply
Apply and be admitted to Drake, then complete the Honors Program application (three short-answer questions) by March 4, 2027.
Selection criteria: Merit-based selection among Honors Program applicants, with emphasis on demonstrated willingness to engage in interdisciplinary, writing-intensive, discussion-centered learning beyond the student's primary major.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Three awards per entering class. Covers the cost of qualified Honors Track book purchases via reimbursement to the student's Drake account. Renewable each year as students progress through Honors Track requirements. Students in joint degree programs (Law 3+3, Pharm D, OTD 3+3) should check program-specific award duration rules.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Three students per cohort who are admitted to the Honors Program and demonstrate genuine intellectual curiosity and a readiness to engage in interdisciplinary, discussion-heavy, writing-intensive coursework, not just high GPAs.
Data last verified Oct 14, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Honors at Drake is about the experience more than the money. The program’s dedicated scholarship is a book award, not a tuition award.
Deadline Note: Only three John August Book Awards are given each year. Applying by the March 4, 2027 priority deadline matters. The application stays open until May 1, 2027, but the awards may be gone by then.
Where High Achievers Find Bigger Money at Drake
3.8+ GPA: National Alumni Scholarship (full tuition) or a $10,000/yr Carpenter. Due December 1.
Physics lovers: The Drake Physics Prize offers four-year full tuition to the first-place finisher.
Tech majors: CODE Scholarship, $5,000/yr.
Civic leaders: Public Democracy or Changemaker Scholars, $5,000/yr each.
Honors Program FAQs (Drake University)
Is the Honors Program automatic for high-GPA students?
No. Students apply separately after applying to Drake. The Honors application asks three short-answer questions.
Does the Honors Program come with a tuition scholarship?
Not directly. The John August Book Award covers the cost of qualified Honors book purchases for three students per class, reimbursed to their Drake account. Tuition money comes through the Presidential, NAS, and program scholarships instead.
Does the book award renew?
Yes. It renews each year as the student keeps completing Honors Track requirements.
Who wins the John August Book Award?
Entering fall first-year students who apply by the priority deadline and show they’re excited about interdisciplinary, writing-heavy, discussion-based classes. Drake is looking for curiosity, not just a GPA.
Can pharmacy or 3+3 students do Honors?
Yes, but undergraduate awards run on the undergraduate clock: through P2 for pharmacy, and three years for Law 3+3 and OTD 3+3.
Drake is a small private university (about 2,500 undergrads) sitting in the middle of Des Moines, which happens to be one of the country’s big insurance and financial services hubs and the state capital. That location shapes what Drake does best: career-ready programs where internships are part of normal life. Drake reports that more than nine in ten undergrads complete an internship before graduating.
Nationally Known Program: Actuarial Science: Drake was one of the original 12 schools named a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries back in 2009, and it has kept that designation since. Students learn the math, statistics, and business side of risk while living down the street from the insurance companies that hire actuaries. If your student is the “loves math, wants a stable well-paid career” type, this is Drake’s crown jewel.
Zimpleman College of Business: Accounting, finance, marketing, data analytics, and more. About 28% of incoming freshmen start here, and one scholarship application covers 35+ donor awards.
School of Journalism & Mass Communication: A big draw for a school Drake’s size (about 17% of first-year students). Strong in multimedia journalism, public relations, advertising, and content strategy.
Pharmacy: Students can start a PharmD path straight from high school through the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
Law 3+3: Drake Law is a graduate school, but undergrads can finish a bachelor’s and a law degree in six years instead of seven.
Artificial Intelligence: Drake offers an interdisciplinary AI major that mixes computer science with philosophy, psychology, business, and ethics. It’s a good fit for students who want tech skills plus the “should we?” questions.
Education: Teacher prep with its own scholarship pool, plus federal Noyce money for juniors and seniors heading into STEM teaching.
🔗 Official Drake University Links
Use Drake’s official pages below to confirm admissions details, scholarship terms, costs, and current data. Deadlines and award amounts change each cycle, so always treat these pages as the final word.
Here’s Drake in a nutshell. It’s a small private school with a big-city backyard, and its money is unusually predictable. Every student straight from high school gets a Presidential Scholarship, and the Tuition Guarantee means the tuition bill your student sees as a freshman is the one they’ll see as a senior. That kind of certainty is rare at private schools.
The catch is that Drake’s scholarships pay tuition and stop there, so housing and meals are the part you’ll need to plan for. That’s why the extra applications matter: NAS and Carpenter for 3.8 students, the Bulldog Promise for Pell-eligible Iowans, CODE or Public Democracy or Changemaker for students with a clear passion, and the Zimpleman or Journalism application for anyone headed into business or media. Get the admission application in by December 1, file the FAFSA, and treat late January as scholarship season. If your student loves numbers and wants a real career at the end, Drake’s actuarial program alone makes it worth a serious look.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
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Leo is the founder of CollegeReadyParent. He went through the college process firsthand with his daughter and built this site to give middle-income and first-generation families free, plain-English answers about what college really costs. No paywall, no lead forms.
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