First-Year Scholarships
These scholarships are available to new Buena Vista University students. A student may receive only one scholarship for academic achievement; competitive or merit-based.
Competitive Awards
Students must complete through an on-campus interview and essay. Scholarship competition is available for students who have applied and have been accepted to BVU, and plan to attend next year.
Trustee Scholarship
- Criteria: 3.5 GPA and ACT composite score of 20 or higher, completion of interview
- Amount: $4,000 additional scholarship stacked on top of the merit scholarship
- Deadline: Students admitted before Jan. 30 must interview by Feb. 28. Students admitted after Jan. 30 must interview within 30 days of admission. Students admitted after May 1 are not eligible.
Multicultural Scholarship
- Criteria: GPA and ACT combination. Students must also demonstrate abilities in and/or desire to be engaged in campus multicultural-based activities and organizations.
- Amount: $4,000 additional award stacked on top of the merit scholarship
- Deadline: Students admitted before Jan. 30 must interview by Feb. 28. Students admitted after Jan. 30 must interview within 30 days of admission. Students admitted after May 1 are not eligible.
Merit-Based Awards
Awarded based on high school CGPA, ACT score and residency status. Renewable with the BVU CGPA indicated.
President’s Scholarship
- Amount: $17,000-$22,000/year
- Criteria: 2.5 CGPA to renew
Heritage Scholarship
- Amount: $15,000-$20,000/year
- Criteria: 2.5 CGPA to renew
Arch Scholarship
- Amount: $12,000-$17,000/year
- Criteria: 2.5 CGPA to renew
Blue Award
- Amount: $10,000-$15,000/year
- Criteria: 2.0 CGPA to renew
Gold Award
- Amount: $6,000-$11,000/year
- Criteria: 2.0 CGPA to renew
Recognition-Based Awards
Students may receive both awards; however, must meet 2 of 3 minimum criteria and complete an interview and essay to be eligible.
Honors Program
- 3.75 GPA, 28 ACT or top 10 percent of high school class
- $2,500 travel stipend
- Priority class registration
- Research and conference funding
Dean’s Fellowship Program
- 3.5 GPA, 26 ACT or top 10 percent of high school class
- $1,500 travel stipend
- $200 academic enrichment funds
- Recognition at graduation
Other Awards & Grants
Fine & Media Arts Awards
- Awards available for animation, art, art therapy, graphic design, performance theatre, scientific illustration, technical theatre, digital media, instrumental music, music production or vocal music; both those majoring in these disciplines or participating in the associated cocurricular program
- Students majoring in one of areas listed above must compete in an audition or portfolio review before March 1. Students participating only must audition or provide a portfolio for review by Dec. 15
- Award amounts varies
Legacy Scholarships
- Award for any student beginning enrollment at Buena Vista University who has a parent or grandparent with a degree from BVU
- $1,000 per year
Career and Research Exploration to Enhance Retention in STEM (CAREERS)
- For eligible, high-performing students who major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, mathematics, physics or science education
- Up to $5,000 per year for four years
- Career-focused science trip, interdisciplinary research and internship opportunities
- $2,000 stipend reserved exclusively for travel opportunities
Undergraduate Rural Medicine Education and Development (URMED)
- Each year, at least three pre-med students are selected to intern at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake and three other area hospitals over the course of January interim
- $3,000 stipend to help defray expenses associated with applying to medical school
- Also available: professional enrichment opportunities for pre-professional students interested in physical therapy, radiology, optometry, and pharmacy careers in rural settings
Buena Vista Grants
- Issued to some full-time students
- Determined by financial need and other BVU gift aid
- Must continue to make satisfactory academic progress for renewal.
Education for Service Scholars
- Ten full-tuition, four-year scholarships each year to eligible students who graduate from a high school located in Buena Vista County.
- Six scholarships are exclusively for students who attend the Storm Lake or St. Mary's High Schools, and up to four scholarships will be awarded to students who attend Sioux Central, Newell-Fonda, or Alta-Aurelia High Schools.
- To be eligible for consideration, students must be a first generation college student, earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, and be Federal Pell Grant and Iowa Tuition Grant eligible.
- Scholarship recipients will serve as Iowa College AmeriCorps volunteers in Buena Vista County communities to build on valuable personal, leadership, and professional skills.