More Ways to Make College Affordable
Your achievements can open the door to more opportunities at BVU. Explore scholarships and grants based on academics, leadership, talent, service, financial need, and more, including BVU awards, federal and state grants, and outside scholarships.
Scholarships for Every Student
Scholarship opportunities vary based on your academic achievements, residency, interests, talents, and enrollment status. Some scholarships are automatically awarded, while others require an application or audition.
Academic Scholarships
Academic Scholarships
Automatic scholarships awarded to incoming first-year students based on cumulative high school GPA.
Presidential Scholarship
Amount: $29,000/year
Criteria: 3.9+
Heritage Scholarship
Amount: $27,000/year
Criteria: 3.70-3.89
Arch Scholarship
Amount: $26,000/year
Criteria: 3.40-3.69
Blue Award
Amount: $25,000/year
Criteria: 3.00-3.39
Gold Award
Amount: $23,000/year
Criteria: 2.99 or below
*Students who live off campus will have their scholarship reduced by $5,000.
First-Year Scholarships
Highlight:
- Build-Up Iowa Scholarship
- Iowa Access Grant
- Out-of-State Grant
- Beaver Visit Grant
- Legacy Scholarship
Talent & Co-Curricular Scholarships
Include:
- Fine & Media Arts
- Music
- Marching Band
- Dance
- Esports
- Archery
- Livestock Showing
Honors & Current Student Opportunities
Honors Program
- Criteria: 3.75 GPA, top 10 percent of high school class
- $2,500 travel stipend
- Research and conference funding, priority class registration
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
Transfer Scholarships
Awarded based on college cumulative GPA and residency status. Renewable with the BVU cumulative GPA indicated.*
President’s Scholarship
Amount: $27,000
Criteria: 3.75+
Heritage Scholarship
Amount: $25,000
Criteria: 3.25-3.74
Arch Scholarship
Amount: $23,000
Criteria: 3.24 and below
*Students who live off campus will have their scholarship reduced by $5,000.
Out-of-State Grant
- Available to any U.S. resident who resides outside of Iowa in a surrounding state
- $2000 per year
Honors Program
- Criteria: 3.75 GPA, top 10 percent of high school class
- $2,500 travel stipend
- Research and conference funding, priority class registration
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
- For members of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society who are transferring to BVU from a community college
- Storm Lake Campus Students: $2000 per year ($1000 per semester)
- Online Students: Up to $1,200 per year ($400 per semester); lifetime maximum of $1,600.
- Recipients must maintain a BVU cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Federal & State Grants
Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA and applicable federal or state requirements.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant available to eligible undergraduate students and does not need to be repaid. Award amounts are determined annually by the federal government based on your FAFSA and financial need.
Award: Up to $7,395 annually (subject to federal changes)
Eligibility:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Demonstrate financial need
- Meet federal eligibility requirements
- Have not earned a bachelor's degree
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG provides additional grant funding to students with exceptional financial need. Funding is limited and awarded by BVU.
Eligibility:
- Complete the FAFSA by June 1
- Be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
- Meet federal financial need requirements
Federal TEACH Grant
The Federal TEACH Grant supports students preparing to become teachers in high-need subject areas.
Award: Up to $4,000 annually
Recipients agree to teach for at least four years in a high-need field at a school serving low-income students. If the service requirement is not fulfilled, the grant converts to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Eligibility includes:
- Complete the FAFSA
- Meet federal aid requirements
- Be enrolled in an eligible education program
- Meet academic eligibility requirements
Iowa Tuition Grant
The Iowa Tuition Grant provides need-based assistance to eligible Iowa residents attending private colleges and universities.
Eligibility:
- Iowa resident
- Complete the FAFSA
- Demonstrate financial need
Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship
Available to eligible members of the Iowa National Guard attending Buena Vista University.
Award: Up to the annual resident tuition rate at Iowa Regent universities.
Additional Iowa Grant Programs
Eligible Iowa students may also qualify for additional state-funded grant opportunities, including:
- All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship
- Iowa Education & Training Voucher (ETV)
Award amounts and eligibility vary by program.
IOWA GRANTS
State-Funded Opportunities
Iowa Grants & Scholarships
Iowa residents may qualify for additional grants and scholarships through Iowa College Aid. Eligibility, award amounts, and application deadlines vary by program. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA early and review each program's specific requirements.
Iowa Tuition Grant
Award: Varies based on financial need
The Iowa Tuition Grant is a need-based grant available to eligible Iowa residents attending private colleges and universities, including Buena Vista University.
Eligibility
- Iowa resident
- Demonstrated financial need
- Complete the FAFSA
- Available for full-time and part-time undergraduate enrollment
- Renewable for up to eight full-time semesters
Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship
Award: Up to the annual resident tuition rate at Iowa Regent universities
The Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible members of the Iowa National Guard pursuing higher education in Iowa.
Eligibility
- Member of the Iowa National Guard
- Enrolled at an eligible Iowa college or university
- Award amounts are determined annually by the Iowa Adjutant General
Additional Iowa Grant Programs
Iowa College Aid offers additional grant and scholarship opportunities for eligible Iowa students. Programs may include:
- All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship – Supports Iowa students with demonstrated financial need.
- Iowa Education & Training Voucher (ETV) – Assists eligible students who have experienced foster care.
- Other state-funded grant opportunities as available.
Award amounts, eligibility requirements, and funding vary by program and are determined by Iowa College Aid.
Please Note
State grants are awarded based on eligibility and available funding. If funding is limited, award amounts may be reduced. Students should complete the FAFSA and review current program requirements through Iowa College Aid.
Outside Scholarship Opportunities
Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships offered by community organizations, employers, foundations, and state agencies.
Examples include:
Carver Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to a BVU sophomore student who is an Iowa resident with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. The award is $8,000 per year and renewable for your senior year (a total of $16,000 awarded during the Junior/Senior years). To be eligible for this scholarship, students must present evidence of something unusual that is hindering the student from reaching their education goals (some kind of “social barrier” or challenging/debilitating situation; some examples of candidates in the past that have received this scholarship include: student that has a major illness, parents with an illness, or Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships Beyond BVU
In addition to scholarships offered by Buena Vista University, many community organizations, employers, foundations, and state agencies provide scholarships to help students pay for college. Award amounts, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines vary by program.
Carver Scholarship
Award: $8,000 per year, renewable for a second year (up to $16,000 total)
The Carver Scholarship supports Iowa students who have overcome significant personal, financial, or social barriers while pursuing higher education.
Eligibility
- Iowa resident
- BVU sophomore
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
- Demonstrate a significant obstacle or life challenge
- Complete the FAFSA by the published deadline
- Submit the Carver Scholarship application
CTA: Apply at CarverTrust.org
LifeServe Scholarship
Award: Up to $500
Students who organize a successful LifeServe blood drive may qualify for a scholarship while making a positive impact in their community.
Eligibility
- Organize a qualifying summer or winter blood drive
- Serve as the blood drive chairperson
- Recruit:
- 25 donors for a $250 scholarship
- 40 donors for a $500 scholarship
CTA: Learn More at LifeServe Blood Center
Health Care Careers Scholarship
Award: Up to $7,000 ($3,500 annually for up to two years)
The Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation (IHERF) awards scholarships to students preparing for careers in healthcare.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in an accredited healthcare or clinical laboratory program
- Within three years of completing your education
- Agree to work for an Iowa hospital or qualifying healthcare employer after graduation
CTA: View Scholarship Details
Iowa Student Loan Scholarships
Award: Varies by scholarship
Iowa Student Loan offers several scholarship opportunities for high school seniors, current college students, and parents.
Programs include:
- ISL Midwest Senior Scholarship
- ISL Education Lending Scholarship
- Student Planning Pointers for Parents
CTA: Explore Iowa Student Loan Scholarships
Sallie Mae Scholarships
Award: Varies by scholarship
Sallie Mae offers several national scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate students, including:
- Bridging the Dream Scholarship
- Completing the Dream Gap Scholarship
- Scholly Scholarships search tool
CTA: Explore Sallie Mae Scholarships
Scholarship Search Resources
Looking for even more scholarship opportunities? These trusted scholarship search tools can help you identify awards based on your interests, academic achievements, career goals, and background.
Resources include:
- Scholarship Search Engines
- Scholly Scholarships
- Unclaimed Scholarships
Invest in Your Future
Discover how scholarships and financial aid can make a BVU education more affordable.