đ University of Iowa Scholarships (2025â2026)
â Back to the Public University Scholarships hub ⢠See Iowa state aid
Big Ten campus. Tight-knit college town. And a merit picture thatâs clearer than most. At the University of Iowa, in-state families look first at the Iowa Scholars Award, while nonresidents watch the National Scholars Award (automatic, GPA/test-based, up to $12,000/yr). Iowa is test-optional, but strong scores can still boost scholarships. Full-ride talk? Rareâexcept for niche programs like John Deere Scholars (Davenport schools, need-based, full cost of attendance). Below we spell out who typically wins what, what college really costs, and how to stack aid the smart way.
- 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
đ Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~85%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22â29
- Middle 50% SAT: 1140â1313
- Median HS GPA: 3.83
Source: University of Iowa admissions/official data (latest available). Middle 50% = the range where half of enrolling students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state â
University of Iowa at a Glance
Admissions Snapshot and GPA/test score data: https://registrar.uiowa.edu/common-data-set
Iowa Scholars Award and National Scholars Award details: https://admissions.uiowa.edu/cost/automatic-scholarships
Honors Program overview: https://honors.uiowa.edu/
Application deadlines (Early Action, Regular Decision): https://admissions.uiowa.edu/apply
FAFSA priority date and financial aid info: https://financialaid.uiowa.edu/
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153658-University-of-Iowa=
đ° Cost of Attendance (2025â2026)
On-campus, full-time undergraduates (9-month budget). Figures below use the University of Iowaâs standard allowances for 2025â2026.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $10,546 | $31,102 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus avg.) | $13,076 | $13,076 |
| Total (before aid) | $23,622 | $44,178 |
- No MSEP/reciprocity: Iowa does not participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program. Nonresidents pay the standard rate unless they earn merit or departmental awards that reduce costs. See our MSEP guide.
- Main automatic merit: Iowa Scholars (in-state) and National Scholars (nonresident) â amounts vary by GPA/test profile.
Cost & Aid FAQs
Is Iowa test-optional?
Yes. Submitting ACT/SAT is optional; strong scores (if submitted) can help scholarship review.
What other typical costs should we plan for?
Books & supplies â $900, transportation â $1,200,
and personal/misc. â $2,600 (not included in the table).
Do border-state discounts exist?
No formal reciprocity. Out-of-state students primarily reduce costs with National Scholars merit and departmental awards.
Tuition & Fees (2025â26 academic year): https://registrar.uiowa.edu/tuition-fees
Housing & Dining rates: https://housing.uiowa.edu/costs
Estimated cost of attendance breakdown: https://financialaid.uiowa.edu/cost
Average net price by income (College Scorecard): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?153658-University-of-Iowa=
MSEP participation status: https://msep.mhec.org/institution/university-iowa
â Automatic Merit Scholarships at University of Iowa (2025â2026)
The University of Iowa awards automatic scholarships to out-of-state students based on GPA and test scores. These are guaranteed if you meet the listed criteria, and they do not require a separate scholarship applicationâjust apply for admission by the priority deadline.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | $12,000/year | 3.95+ GPA and 33+ ACT / 1450+ SAT | No | Yes | Top out-of-state students; most recipients in the top 5â10% of their class | March 1 (priority) |
| Old Gold Scholarship | $8,000/year | 3.80+ GPA and 28â32 ACT / 1300â1440 SAT | No | Yes | Strong students just below Presidential level; many Midwest admits fall here | March 1 (priority) |
| Iowa Scholars Award | $6,000/year | 3.60+ GPA and 25â27 ACT / 1200â1290 SAT | No | Yes | Solid but not top-tier out-of-state applicants; cuts average $24k off a 4-year degree | March 1 (priority) |
*Cutoffs are approximate. Iowa publishes GPA/test bands, but the exact threshold can shift slightly each year depending on the applicant pool and funding.*
Do we need a separate application? No. Automatic merit comes from your admission file. Apply for admission by the priority deadline and youâll be reviewed for these awards automatically.
What counts for eligibility? Iowa looks at your unweighted high school GPA and, if you submit them, ACT/SAT scores. Higher academics can place you in a higher award tier.
Test-optional vs. submitting scores? You can be admitted without test scores, but strong ACT/SAT results can help you qualify for bigger automatic awards. If your current score is close to a higher tier, retesting can be worth it.
Can automatic awards stack with other aid? Usually yes. They can stack with need-based grants and many competitive or departmental awards. Always check the stacking notes on each scholarship.
When will we find out? Most automatic awards post with or shortly after the admission decision, then appear in your financial aid package.
Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
These awards are not automatic. They require essays or a separate application and are reviewed for leadership, service, andâsometimesâfinancial need. Most decisions are released in the spring after admission.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James W. Pappas Scholarship | $3,000â$5,000 (one-time) | First-generation student with demonstrated financial need | Yes (via Iowa Scholarship Portal) | No | First-gen students with solid academics and persistence through challenges | Feb 1 |
| Lloyd-Jones Scholarship | $1,000â$4,000 (typically one-time) | Demonstrated leadership and community service | Yes (Portal) | No | Students active in clubs, athletics, or sustained community service projects | Feb 1 |
| Provost Scholarship (National Merit/Recognition) | $3,000 per year | National Merit Finalist (Iowa first choice) or College Board National Recognition Scholar | No (automatic via designation) | Yes (4 years) | NMFs who list Iowa as first choice; Recognition Scholars with strong academics | Nov 1 (Early Action) |
*Dollar ranges reflect past recipients. Amounts and deadlines can vary yearly depending on available funding and applicant volume.*
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
What makes these âcompetitiveâ?
Theyâre limited-pool awards reviewed on essays, leadership, service, and occasionally financial need. Meeting the baseline doesnât guarantee selection.
Are they worth applying for?
Yes. Even one-time awards can offset costs significantly, and renewable awards can add thousands over four years. Many can stack with automatic merit.
How do students apply?
Most require the Iowa Scholarship Portal application and short essays; some also request recommendation letters. Deadlines are earlyâstart the portal soon after applying for admission.
How can students improve their odds?
Submit FAFSA, meet every deadline, and write specific essays highlighting measurable impactâwhat you led, solved, or contributed. Choose recommenders who can provide detailed examples.
When are decisions announced?
Typically between February and April. Results appear in the Iowa Scholarship Portal and/or official financial aid offer.
University of Iowahttps://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/provostvosts-scholarship/12554/
Honors Program at the University of Iowa
The University of Iowa Honors Program is built for curious, driven students who want smaller classes, close faculty mentorship, and early access to research. Students benefit from priority registration, dedicated advising in the Blank Honors Center, and a strong residential community in Daum Hall. Invitations are based on a holistic review of the admission fileâacademics, writing, service, and leadership all matter.
Honors Scholarships & Awards
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholars Program | Up to $20,000 total (over 4 years) | Invitation-only for top Honors-eligible first-year admits; holistic review of academics, writing, leadership, and service | By invitation (essays/interview possible) | Yes | Exceptional Honors students with strong academics and demonstrated leadership | Invites roll out after admission; finalist steps typically JanâMar |
| Dewey B. Stuit Scholarship for Excellence | $1,000â$2,000 (one-time) | Honors students in CLAS showing academic excellence, leadership, or service | Yes â via Portal or Honors process | No | Active Honors students contributing to the academic community | Typically late JanâMar (check portal) |
| Richard Tyner Scholarship | $1,000â$2,000 (one-time) | In-state students joining Honors after sophomore year with strong GPA growth; preference for rural Iowa graduates | Yes â Honors/Portal | No | Later-entry Honors students with upward trends and community involvement | Opens fall; priority earlyâmid spring |
| Rhodes Dunlap Scholarship for Achievement | $1,000â$3,000 (one-time or renewable) | Honors students recognized for academic performance, leadership, or research impact | Yes â Portal/Honors | Some renewable | Honors students with sustained excellence and campus engagement | Commonly FebâMar (annual cycle) |
| SIT Study Abroad Honors Scholarship | $500â$3,000 (one-time) | Honors students participating in SIT programs with academic or research goals | Yes â SIT + Honors proposal | No | Students pursuing international study or research | Apply 8â12 weeks before program start; fall/spring cycles |
| Honors Experiential Learning Grant | $500â$2,000 (one-time) | Honors students funding research, internships, or creative projects | Yes â proposal + budget | No | Honors students with faculty mentorship and a clear project plan | Multiple rounds each term (e.g., early Oct / early Mar) |
Note: Award amounts and deadlines can shift year to year. Use the Honors/Scholarship Portal for the official dates in the current cycle.
Honors students can live in Daum Hall, located next to the Blank Honors Center, for easy access to advising and a built-in community of motivated peers.
Honors FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Some students are invited at admission, while others apply through MyUI later. Iowa uses a holistic review that considers GPA, rigor, and involvementânot just test scores.
Can Honors scholarships stack with other aid?
Yes, in most cases. Honors awards typically stack with automatic merit and need-based aid, but total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
What are the benefits besides scholarships?
Smaller classes, early research access, priority registration, strong advising, and community life in Daum Hall. Many students say mentorship is the most valuable part.
Can students join later?
Yes. Iowa allows current students with strong GPAs to apply for Honors after their first year. The Richard Tyner Scholarship supports late-entry students specifically.
Are there grants for research or internships?
Yes. The Honors Experiential Learning Grant provides up to $2,000 to support approved research, creative work, or study abroad projects.
â What Iowa Is Known For
The University of Iowa shines nationally and regionally in its elite health sciences, creative writing, and research footprint. As an R1 research university, it leads in medical innovation, hydroscience, and space physics. Itâs also home to the legendary Iowa Writersâ Workshopâan unparalleled hub for creative literary talent. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
The Iowa Writersâ Workshop â the oldest MFA creative writing program in the U.S., world-renowned for producing generations of Pulitzer Prizeâwinning authors and cultural leaders.
- Physician Assistant (Carver College of Medicine): Tied for No. 1 nationally in U.S. News & World Reportâs 2025-2026 rankings.
- Physical Therapy (Carver College of Medicine): Ranked No. 3 nationally.
- Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology (CLAS): Consistently in the top ranks nationallyâAudiology top-2, Speech-Language Pathology top-5.
- Rehabilitation Counseling (College of Education): Ranked No. 3 nationally.
- College of Dentistry: The only dental school in Iowa and one of two in the U.S. offering all ADA-accredited dental specialty training programsâa consistent regional standout.
đ Official Links
These are the official University of Iowa pages for admissions, scholarships, and Honors. Always verify details like deadlines and award amounts directly with the university.