First-Year Scholarships
Take a look at these scholarships are available to new Buena Vista University students. A student may receive only one scholarship for academic achievement; competitive or merit-based.
Take me to:
Academic Scholarships
Below you will find the minimum scholarship awards for incoming Fall 2025 first-year students. Awards are based on high school cumulative GPA.*
Presidential Scholarship
Amount: $28,000/year
Criteria: 3.9+
Heritage Scholarship
Amount: $26,000/year
Criteria: 3.70-3.89
Arch Scholarship
Amount: $25,000/year
Criteria: 3.40-3.69
Blue Award
Amount: $24,000/year
Criteria: 3.00-3.39
Gold Award
Amount: $22,000/year
Criteria: 2.99 or below
*Students who live off campus will have their scholarship reduced by $5,000.
Build-Up-Iowa Scholarship
- Criteria: To be eligible, you must be an Iowa resident enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student on our Storm Lake campus. Priority Deadline: Must be admitted by April 1.
- Amount: $2,000 per year; renewable up to four years with Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to renew each year.
Iowa Access Grant
- Criteria: To be eligible, a student must:
- Be an Iowa resident enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student on our Storm Lake campus.
- Student must reside on campus.
- Have a 2.9 GPA or higher from high school.
- Receive Federal Pell Grant and Iowa Tuition Grant (FAFSA required).
- Priority Deadline: Must be admitted by April 1.
- Amount: For qualifying students, BVU commits to ensuring 100 percent of a student's tuition is covered by federal, state, and institutional grant aid. Iowa Access Grant is a last-dollar grant program offered after all other grant aid is awarded, including outside scholarships. It is renewable for up to four years with Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to renew each year.
Out-of-State Grant
- Available to any U.S. resident who resides outside of Iowa in a surrounding state
- $2,000 per year
Beaver Visit Grant
- Criteria: To be eligible, you must be a high school student who visits BVU from Jan. 1 of their junior year to July 1 of their senior year or a college transfer student entering BVU
- Amount: $1,000 per year
Recognition-Based Award
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
Co-Curricular Scholarships
Students are only eligible to receive one co-curricular scholarship
Club Sports (Co-Curricular Scholarship)
- Available to first-year Storm Lake campus students
- Awarded to students based on talent and individuals who are dedicated to continued improvement in their respective areas of activity
- Scholarships awarded in dance, livestock showing, archery, and esports
- Award amounts vary
- Ask your admissions counselor how you may qualify
Fine & Media Arts Awards (Co-Curricular Scholarship)
- Awards available for animation, art, art therapy, graphic design, scientific illustration, digital media, instrumental music, music production, or vocal music; both those majoring in these disciplines or participating in the associated co-curricular program including Marching Band, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Vista Chamber Singers, and Jazz Band
- Students majoring in one of the 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 Feb. 28
- Award amounts vary
Current Student Opportunities
Mack Family Honors Innovation Fellows Program
Qualified students may apply for the Mack Family Honors Innovation Fellows Program.
- Criteria: 3.75 GPA, top 10 percent of high school class
- $2,500 travel stipend
- Research and conference funding, priority class registration
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
- $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
BVU also provides need-based grants to full-time students, which are determined by their financial requirements and other gift aid from BVU. These grants can be renewed depending on a student's academic performance.
Request Information
Learn more about Buena Vista University
