Federal Scholarships & Grants

Pell Grant
Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant/National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
Robert C. Byrd Scholarship
Teach Grant

State Scholarships and Grants

Iowa Tuition Grant
Iowa Grants
Iowa National Guard Grant
Iowa Education and Training Grant
All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship

Buena Vista University Scholarships & Grants 

The following institutional awards are available to Storm Lake campus undergraduate students only.

Trustee Scholarships
Multicultural Scholarships
President's Scholarships
Merit Scholarships
Heritage Scholarships
Arch Awards
Dean's Fellowship
Math/Science Excellence Awards
Master Teacher Scholarships
Pre-Law Excellence Awards
Out-Of-State Scholarships
Buena Vista Transfer Scholarships
President's Transfer Scholarships
Merit Transfer Scholarships
Heritage Transfer Scholarships
Arch Transfer Awards
Multicultural Incentive Grants
Sibling Grants
National Presbyterian Scholarships
Buena Vista Grants

List of Outside Scholarships
Outside Scholarship Search Programs

Pell Grant - will range from $890 to $4,731 for 2008-09 for eligible students for a full-year, full-time award. Individual awards are determined based on federal formula. Payment is calculated for full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester), ¾ time enrollment (9-11 hours per semester), or half-time enrollment (6-8 hours per semester). Students enrolled less than half-time may also be eligible. To be considered for a Federal Pell Grant, the results of your valid application must reach us while you are still enrolled.

Academic Competitiveness (AC) Grant/National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant - may be available to students who show exceptional financial need. Full-time enrollment, U.S. citizenship and Pell Grant eligibility are required for both programs.

AC Grants of $750 will be available to first year students who meet the criteria above and who have also graduated from a rigorous high school program after January 1, 2006. The award is renewable at $1,300 for a student's second year, provided the student earns a 3.0 cgpa after the first year and continues to be Pell Grant eligible.

SMART Grants of $4,000 are available for each of the third and fourth academic years if the student is enrolled in a program leading to a degree in physical or life sciences, computer science, technology, math or certain foreign languages, has met the requirements above, and has earned, and continues to maintain, a 3.0 or better cgpa.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available to students who show exceptional financial need and, normally, who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. These grants are partially federally funded, but awarding is controlled by the University. Because funding is limited, priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA by June 1 and list Buena Vista University on the application.

Robert C. Byrd Scholarship - Robert C. Byrd Scholarships of up to $1,500 are made available by the federal government in the form of grants provided to the state. Students can apply for this scholarship through the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. Evidence of financial need is not a requirement.

TEACH Grant  The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grant funds for graduate and undergraduate students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families .  The grant reverts to an Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan if the conditions mentioned are not met within eight years of graduation.   To receive a TEACH Grant, students must:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the yearly deadline, although financial need is not required.
• Meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
• Meet one of the following academic achievement requirements
  • Score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (e.g. SAT, ACT, GRE, or
  • Graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) to receive a grant as a freshman, or
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) on college course work to receive a grant for each subsequent term.
• Students enrolled in the post-baccalaureate education program are not eligible

Iowa Tuition Grant - are available, based on financial need, for fulltime undergraduate study and for less than full-time enrollment. The full-time award is $4,000 for 2008-09. The grant may be renewable for a total of eight full-time semesters of study.

Iowa Grants - of up to $1,000 a year are funded by the State of Iowa and awarded by Buena Vista University to Iowa residents. Awards will be made on a need basis, as funds are limited. The award may be renewable.

Iowa National Guard Educational Grants are available to Iowa residents who are members of an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit while enrolled in higher education. The individual award amount will not exceed the average tuition rate for full-time students at Iowa Regents Universities.

 Other gift aid programs, such has the Iowa Education & Training Voucher Grant, All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant and the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, are available from the State of Iowa in limited amounts. These funds currently help Iowa students who have been in foster care, TRIO programs, alternative high schools or are homeless.

  

Academic Merit Awards 

Trustee Scholarships, amounting to full tuition, will be awarded to up to five freshmen each year. Applicants for this scholarship must meet two of the following criteria: 3.85 CGPA, 29 ACT or a high school class rank in the top 5 percent. Recipients will be selected through competition. Recipients must enroll fulltime and may renew a Trustee Scholarship by maintaining a 3.25 CGPA and full-time status. Financial need is not required.

If a Trustee Scholarship recipient is eligible for a Pell Grant and/or an Iowa Tuition Grant funds, the amount available will be subtracted from the Trustee Scholarship. The total of all gift aid will never be less than the BVU tuition charge. However, an individual's financial need and direct charges may limit total gift aid (including outside scholarships) received.

Multicultural Scholarships - amounting to full tuition and room and board, will be awarded to four full-time freshman students from diverse populations each year. Applicants for this scholarship must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and possess strong leadership skills. Applicants must complete the Scholarship Application and interview with the Director of Intercultural Programs and the Director of Admissions prior to March 31. Recipients will be eligible to renew a BVU Multicultural Scholarship by maintaining a 2.5 CGPA and full-time status.

Any Pell Grant and/or Iowa Tuition Grant funds a Multicultural Scholarship recipient receives will be subtracted from the Multicultural Scholarship. The total of all gift aid will be limited to direct costs.

President's Scholarships - were available to any new freshman who met two of the following conditions: 3.75 CGPA, 26 ACT or a high school class rank in the top 10 percent. The award is renewable for four years total by maintaining a 3.0 CGPA and full-time status. The number of available awards is not limited. Financial need is not required.

This award has had different names in the past. Students who received the award based on the above criteria in the past will be eligible to renew their individual award amount based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

Merit Scholarships - were available to any freshman who met two of the following criteria: 3.5 CGPA, 23 ACT or top 25 percent of their high school class.

The requirements for renewal for four years total, is a 2.75 CGPA and full-time enrollment. The number of awards available is not limited.

This award has had different names in the past. Students who received the award based on the above criteria in the past will be eligible to renew their individual award amount based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

Heritage Scholarships - were available to freshmen who met two of the following conditions: 3.0 CGPA, 20 ACT or a high school class rank in the top 50 percent.

All Heritage Scholarship recipients must enroll full-time and will be eligible to renew an Heritage Scholarship for four years total, by maintaining a 2.5 CGPA. The number of available awards is not limited. Financial need may be required.

This award has had different names in the past. Students who received the award based on the above criteria in the past will be eligible to renew their individual award amount based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

Arch Awards - were available to freshmen who enrolled full-time and met two of the following conditions: 2.75 GPA, 18 ACT or top 50 percent of their high school class.

A student’s individual award amount can be renewed for a maximum of four years total, with a 2.25 CGPA. The number of awards available is not limited.

Eligible students may receive only one of the above scholarships per year and are able to renew the scholarship amount they received at the time they entered BVU based on the renewal requirements indicated. 

Recognition Awards 

Dean's Fellowship awards of $8,000 ($2,000 per year) were offered prior to the 2008-09 school year through application. Students who have earned an ACT score of 26 or better or students who are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, and who will enroll full-time, are eligible to apply.

A Dean's Fellowship is renewable for a maximum of four years total with full-time enrollment, a 3.0 CGPA by the end of the freshman year and a 3.3 CGPA thereafter, and upon approval by the appropriate school. The number of awards is limited. Dean's Fellowships made for the 2008-09 year and later carry no monetary value.

Math/Science Excellence Awards were available prior to the 2005-06 academic year.

All previously awarded students are eligible to renew their individual award amount by continuing to major in a program offered by the BVU School of Science, maintaining full-time status, and earning a 3.0 or better CGPA. The number of available awards is limited.

Master Teacher Scholarships were available prior to the 2005-06 academic year.

All previously awarded students are eligible to renew their individual award amount by maintaining interest in a program offered by the School of Education, a 3.0 CGPA and full-time status. The number of available awards is limited.

Pre-Law Excellence Awards were available prior to the 2005-06 academic year.

All previously awarded students are eligible to renew their individual award amount by maintaining a 3.0 or better CGPA, continuing to have interest in attending law school and remaining a full-time student. The number of awards available is limited.

School Awards - $8,000 ($2,000 per year) were available through competition beginning in the 2005-06 academic year to freshmen entering BVU if they meet two of the following criteria: minimum 3.0 CGPA, minimum 20 ACT or top 50 percent of their high school class. Full-time enrollment is required.

All new students are eligible to renew their award for a maximum of three additional years, by maintaining a 2.5 CGPA and full-time status. The number of available awards is limited.

Prior to the 2005-06 school year, this award was known by different names. Students who received the equivalent of this scholarship in the past will be eligible to renew their individual award amount based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

A student may be awarded only one Academic Merit Award. Only one Recognition Award may be "stacked" onto that award. The maximum that can be "stacked" is $2,000 per year. No "stacking" will be allowed with the Trustee Scholarship or Multicultural Scholarship.

Out-Of-State Scholarships - will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 to incoming freshmen that meet at least two of three of the following: 3.0 GPA, 20 ACT or a high school class rank in the top fifty percent and who reside in states other than Iowa. The number of available awards is not limited. Financial need may be required. Out-of-State Scholarships are renewable for nonresidents with full-time enrollment and a 2.5 CGPA.

Students from states other than Iowa should check with the proper agency in their state to receive information on availability of state-sponsored scholarships or grants.

Buena Vista Transfer Scholarships - are awarded based on the student’s college grade point average. To be considered for one of the transfer scholarships, students must have completed at least one semester of college as a full-time student (12 hours). A student is considered a transfer student after they have graduated from high school or completed their GED and have completed one semester at a community college or four-year college/university as a full-time student (12 hours or more). The following scholarships are available to transfer students.

President's Transfer Scholarships - awarded to students with a cumulative college GPA of 3.75 or higher to qualify and a 3.0 CGPA to renew.

Students who received this award amount in the past will be eligible to renew their individual award amount based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

Merit Transfer Scholarships - awarded to students with a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 to 3.74 to qualify and a 2.75 CGPA to renew.

Students who received this award amount in the past will be eligible to renew their individual award amount based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

Heritage Transfer Scholarships - awarded to students with a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 to 3.49 to qualify and a 2.5 CGPA to renew.

Students who received this award amount in the past will be eligible to renew the individual award based on the renewal requirements mentioned above.

Arch Transfer Awards - awarded to students with a cumulative college GPA of 2.75 to 2.99 to qualify and a 2.25 CGPA to renew. A student may receive the award for a maximum of four years.

The number of available awards is not limited.

Multicultural Incentive Grants - are available to some full-time students from diverse populations. The maximum award is $1,000. Financial need and the total of other BVU gift aid awarded will determine if an award is made. The number of awards available is limited. Students eligible for the Trustee or Multicultural Scholarships are not eligible for consideration.

Sibling Grants - are available to any student who has a sibling enrolled. Eligible students will receive a $500 grant for each year of simultaneous enrollment on the Storm Lake campus. The number of awards available is not limited.

National Presbyterian Scholarships - of up to $1,400 per year are available to students who show need and apply to the National Presbyterian Church by the yearly deadline. The student’s first year award may be renewed provided the student continues to show financial need and maintains a 2.0 CGPA. The number of awards available is limited.

Buena Vista Grants - are issued to some full-time students. Financial need and the total of other BVU gift aid awarded will determine if an award is made. Students must continue to make satisfactory academic progress to renew the award. The number of available awards is limited.

In addition, gifts from friends of BVU, organizations and special endowments are awarded based upon financial need and/or other criteria. Students are automatically considered for these aid sources when they apply for financial assistance each year.

Any awards made from institutional funds will not change mid-year unless enrollment or living arrangements change.

Institutional gift aid is not available for summer school or for part-time enrollment.