🎓 Iowa State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Iowa state aid
- Sticker cost (tuition, housing) vs. what families actually pay
- How Iowa State’s automatic merit works and where to apply
- Competitive awards worth targeting
- Honors perks and stacking strategies
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~88%
- Middle 50% ACT: ~22–28
- Middle 50% SAT: ~1080–1330
- Average HS GPA: ~3.7
Source: Iowa State CDS/Admissions summaries. Ranges vary by college/major.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Iowa State University at a Glance
Last verified: October 7, 2025
Iowa State keeps the process straightforward: apply for admission, complete OneApp, and you’re considered for automatic first-year awards—no separate scholarship application for most university awards. Test scores are optional, but strong academics (and scores, if sent) can raise award levels.
Iowa is not part of the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), so out-of-state discounts generally come from institutional merit rather than regional reciprocity.
FAQ
Does Iowa State offer automatic merit? Yes. ISU lists automatic first-year awards by residency and college; you apply through OneApp.
Is Iowa State test-optional? Yes. First-year applicants can be admitted and considered for merit without ACT/SAT scores.
Does ISU participate in MSEP? No—neither Iowa nor ISU participates. Focus on ISU’s own merit and competitive scholarships.
When do I start scholarships? Complete OneApp starting Sept 15 (for the next aid year) and file the FAFSA by the priority date listed.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/iowa-state-university/admissions
https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Iowa-State-University-sat-scores-GPA
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/iowa-state-university-1869/applying
https://www.acceptancerate.com/schools/iowa-state-university
https://www.minnstate.edu/system/finance/budget/docs/minnesotastate26_iambmsepndsdwi_revisede_mankato_7.28.2025.pdf
https://honors.illinoisstate.edu/applying/current/
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/oneapp/
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/getting-started/cost/net-price-calculator/
https://www.collegeraptor.com/colleges/admissions/Iowa-State-University-IA–153603
💰 Cost of Attendance at Iowa State University (2025–2026)
Here’s a simple look at the typical first-year costs before any aid or scholarships are applied.
| Type | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $11,092 | $30,140 |
| Housing & Meals (On-Campus) | $10,928 | $10,928 |
| Total Estimated Cost (On-Campus) | $25,720 | $45,218 |
📌 Federal Average Net Price (all undergraduates who received aid): ~$15,310/year.
Typical in-state net price by income (estimate): $0–30k ≈ $7,532 • $30–48k ≈ $9,230 • $48–75k ≈ $12,102 • $75–110k ≈ $17,262 • $110k+ ≈ $20,129. Your student’s actual cost will vary based on aid and scholarships.
Reciprocity & Out-of-State Waivers: Iowa does not participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), and Iowa State does not offer a statewide nonresident tuition match/reciprocity program. Out-of-state families typically reduce costs through automatic merit and competitive scholarships.
Cost & Waiver FAQs
Does Iowa State participate in MSEP?
No. Iowa is not currently an MSEP state. Families should look at Iowa State’s automatic and competitive scholarships instead.
What’s the difference between sticker price and net price?
Sticker price is the full cost before aid. Net price is what families actually pay after grants and scholarships—often much lower than the totals in the table.
Can out-of-state students ever pay close to in-state rates?
There’s no automatic reciprocity to match in-state rates, but strong out-of-state applicants can bring costs down significantly with automatic merit and competitive awards.
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/getting-started/cost/cost-of-attendance/undergraduate-students/
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/getting-started/cost/net-price-calculator/
https://msep.mhec.org/institutions
https://www.housing.iastate.edu/rates-fees/2022-23-rates/
https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/iowa-state-university/paying-for-college/net-price/
https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/tuition-and-fees
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships (2025–2026)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyal Scholar | $3,000/yr × 4 (max $12,000) | HS GPA ≥ 3.80 and ACT 32 or SAT 1450 (superscore allowed) | No | Yes — up to 4 years; maintain full-time + ~2.50 GPA | Top academic students meeting both GPA and test benchmarks; award is automatic with admission. | Mar 1 |
| Forever Scholar | $2,000/yr × 4 (max $8,000) | HS GPA ≥ 3.60 and ACT 28 or SAT 1300 (superscore allowed) | No | Yes — up to 4 years; maintain full-time + ~2.50 GPA | Strong students who hit the mid-high test band paired with solid GPA. | Mar 1 |
| True Scholar | $1,500/yr × 4 (max $6,000) | HS GPA = 4.00 (no test required) | No | Yes — up to 4 years; maintain full-time + ~2.50 GPA | Students with a perfect 4.0 transcript earn an automatic award without testing. | Mar 1 |
| National Merit (Iowa residents) | Full tuition for 4 years | National Merit Scholar; list ISU as first choice; FAFSA + standard NMSC steps | No (via NMSC process) | Yes — maintain full-time + ≥ 3.00 GPA | Named National Merit Scholars who choose ISU; cannot stack with Loyal/Forever/True. | NMSC Deadline |
| Academic Achievement Award (Nonresident) | $3,000–$12,000/yr × 4 (max $12,000–$48,000) | Out-of-state admits; award scales by HS GPA (higher GPA = higher award) | No | Yes — up to 4 years; maintain full-time + ~2.50 GPA | Most nonresident admits with 3.10+ GPA receive an award; 4.0 students may earn the $12,000 tier. | Mar 1 |
Cutoffs are based on the university’s published bands and may shift year to year. When exact thresholds aren’t explicitly listed, we translate them using a mix of official award pages, prior recipient profiles, and campus statistics. Actual awards depend on funding and the applicant pool.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Do they superscore ACT/SAT?
Yes. Iowa State uses a student’s best composite and will calculate a superscore from all official results on file (they do not accept the ACT-provided superscore report).
What about the Academic Achievement Award for nonresidents?
Yes — this is Iowa State’s main automatic scholarship for out-of-state students. Awards scale directly with GPA, ranging from about $3,000/year at the lower end up to $12,000/year ($48,000 over four years) for students with a 4.0. Nearly all nonresident students with at least a 3.10 GPA receive some level of award.
Is a separate application required?
No. These awards are automatic with admission review. You’ll be offered the single highest automatic award you qualify for.
What about “First Cyclones” full tuition?
That’s a selective program with additional requirements through OneApp and support programming; it’s not an automatic merit tier and belongs in Competitive/Hidden Gems.
How do renewals work?
Keep full-time status and around a 2.50 ISU GPA (National Merit requires ~3.00). Awards are typically available for up to eight semesters.
https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/admissions/first-year-students/first-year-scholarship-awards
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/
https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/affording-college/scholarships
https://www.wedushare.com/programs/iowa-state-university-merit-scholarship-2025
https://iadmissions.uiowa.edu/cost-aid/first-year-non-resident-scholarships
Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
Iowa State’s top competitive scholarships go beyond automatic merit. They require essays, recommendations, or financial documentation, all submitted through the university’s OneApp scholarship portal.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Washington Carver Scholarship | Full tuition (up to $25,000+ for out-of-state students) | First-generation and/or underserved U.S. students; GPA ≥ 3.7; FAFSA and essay required | Yes (via OneApp) | Yes (4 years) | Around 100 recipients annually; high-achieving first-gen or minority students with leadership and service records | Dec 1 (priority) |
| First Cyclones Scholarship Program | Full tuition (in-state or out-of-state) for 4 years | Incoming freshmen; GPA ≥ 3.0; first-gen and/or income-eligible; must file FAFSA | Yes (OneApp + essays) | Yes (4 years) | Highly competitive—about 100 chosen yearly; strong essays and demonstrated need are key | Feb 8 (typical) |
Note: Full-tuition awards like the Carver or First Cyclones generally replace automatic merit aid but can stack with need-based grants or smaller departmental scholarships.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
What is the OneApp?
OneApp is Iowa State’s centralized portal for all scholarships. Most competitive awards, including Carver and First Cyclones, require essays, recommendations, and FAFSA submission through this system.
How selective are these scholarships?
Extremely. Each draws hundreds of applicants for roughly 100 spots. Recipients usually combine strong grades, service, leadership, and compelling essays.
Can full-tuition awards stack with automatic merit?
No. Full-tuition scholarships typically replace automatic merit awards, though smaller grants or departmental awards can still be combined.
Are out-of-state students eligible?
Yes—both Carver and First Cyclones are open nationwide, though priority goes to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
https://multicultural.dso.iastate.edu/programs/cls
https://iastate.academicworks.com/opportunities/66538
https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/scholarships/100430-george-washington-carver-full-tuition-scholarship
https://iowastatedaily.com/11640/diversity/george-washington-carver-program-continues-to-benefit-multicultural-students-today/
https://lc.iastate.edu/communities/first-cyclones
https://multicultural.dso.iastate.edu/programs/1st_cyclone
https://iastate.academicworks.com/opportunities/71464
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/oneapp/
Honors at Iowa State University (University Honors Program)
Iowa State’s University Honors Program offers smaller, discussion-based seminars, priority registration, early faculty research opportunities, and a required Honors project. It’s designed for high-achieving students seeking academic challenge and mentorship.
Incoming Freshman Honors Scholarship
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding First-Year Honors Program Member Scholarship | $250 (one-time) | First-year Honors students nominated by their Honors 121 seminar leaders | Yes — nomination required | No (one-time) | 4–6 students per year who actively participate and show academic promise | Late April (after spring nominations) |
Other Honors Awards & Grants (typically for continuing students)
| Scholarship / Grant | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn & Carol Glass Scholarship | Varies (typically $1,000–$2,000) | Need-based; juniors or seniors active in Honors | Yes — via OneApp | No (one-year) | Upperclass Honors students showing leadership and need | Early March (OneApp cycle) |
| Freeman Memorial Scholarship | $500 (one-time) | Honors Chemical Engineering majors active in the program | Yes — departmental nomination | No | Outstanding Honors ChemE students engaged in leadership/research | March 1 |
| Honors Research & Travel Grants | Typically $500–$1,500 | Honors students funding research, travel, or conference presentations | Yes — Honors proposal form | No | Students presenting or conducting faculty-mentored work | Fall & Spring rolling deadlines |
| Outstanding University Honors Program Member | $250 (one-time) | Continuing Honors student making exceptional impact on community | Yes — nomination | No | Highly active juniors or seniors in Honors leadership/service | April 1 |
| Outstanding Honors Student Board Member | $250 (one-time) | Honors Student Board leaders recognized for service | No — selected internally | No | Board members demonstrating leadership and sustained involvement | April 1 |
*Award sizes listed as “varies” are determined annually based on available funding and applicant pool.
Honors FAQs
Is there a separate Honors application?
Yes. After admission to Iowa State, invited students and self-nominees complete a short Honors application—typically due by April 1 for first-year consideration.
Does Honors include large freshman scholarships?
Not typically. The $250 Outstanding First-Year Member Scholarship is the only freshman-specific award. Larger awards (like Carver or First Cyclone) are university-level and not managed by Honors.
Can Honors awards stack with other scholarships?
Usually yes. Most small awards, grants, and travel funds can stack with automatic merit or need-based aid. Full-tuition awards may replace overlapping institutional scholarships.
How do I apply for Honors funding?
Submit applications through OneApp for general scholarships, and visit the Honors Program site for deadlines related to research, travel, or leadership grants.
https://www.honors.iastate.edu/awards-and-aid
https://www.honors.iastate.edu/first-year-student
https://catalog.iastate.edu/interdisciplinaryprograms/honorsprogram/
https://iastate.academicworks.com
https://financialaid.iastate.edu/types-of-aid/scholarships/additional-iowa-state-scholarships/
⭐ What Iowa State is Known For
Iowa State University, a Land-Grant powerhouse and R1 Research University, is nationally recognized for blending hands-on innovation with academic rigor. From agriculture to engineering to business and veterinary medicine, ISU prepares students to tackle real-world challenges while building programs that rank among the very best in the nation.
- College of Veterinary Medicine — the oldest veterinary college in the U.S., consistently ranked among the top 10 vet schools nationwide.
- College of Engineering — nationally ranked across multiple fields:
- #1 in Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering nationally
- Highly regarded in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Computer, and Software Engineering
- Ivy College of Business —
- #1 MBA program in Iowa (U.S. News 2025)
- Entrepreneurship ranked top 14% nationally (U.S. News), #1 in Iowa, #6 in the Midwest (Princeton Review)
- High ROI Degrees — Mechanical Engineering shows a $925K lifetime income return (Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025), with strong outcomes also in Business Administration, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.
- Ames National Laboratory — the only U.S. Department of Energy national lab located on a university campus, advancing research in materials and energy sciences.