Scholarships and Grants
Your initial minimum undergraduate scholarship offer is just the start. You may qualify for additional awards and scholarships. Check out the options below and learn about the criteria for each.
| Mark Your Calendars! KNIGHTS SCHOLARSHIP DAYS: Sunday, March 26, 2023 |
ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Regents and Presidential Scholarships
Last year, Wartburg awarded nearly 500 Regents and Presidential Scholarships to first-year students valued at about $8.4 million. Wartburg evaluates merit-based scholarships on a student’s high school grade point average. Typically, students who have a high school minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and are in the top 25 percent of their high school class will receive a Regents or Presidential Scholarship. Students who qualify and choose to participate in one of Wartburg’s Knights Scholarship Days have the opportunity to increase their Regents or Presidential Scholarship. All awards are based on merit and not financial need, are renewable for a maximum of eight terms contingent upon full-time enrollment.
Wartburg Opportunity Scholarship
For students with academic potential who meet the admission requirements, but do not qualify for a Presidential or Regents Scholarship. Amounts are determined by academic achievement and communicated in your acceptance letter.
National Merit Finalist Scholarship
Awarded to first-year students who list Wartburg as their first choice with the National Merit Corporation and are selected as finalists.
Knights Out-of State-Grant
For students residing outside Iowa who demonstrate academic potential.
Scholarship Day Attendance Award
For students who qualify and choose to participate in one of Wartburg’s Knights Scholarship Days.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Grant
Awarded to first year students who complete and receive an International Baccalaureate diploma.
Exploring Majors Weeks and Departmental Visit Days
Whether you know your intended major or you are still considering what you want to study, these visit days offer a great way to explore your options and learn about our excellent academic programs. You’ll earn a $1,000/year scholarship for attending. Academic Visit Day scholarships cannot be combined with a music scholarship received through an audition. Click here to view academic visit day options.
Iowa Academic Decathlon
Awarded to first year students with the highest point totals in each of Varsity, Scholastic, and Honors categories. Renewable for three additional years if student remains enrolled full-time and maintains a 3.00 cumulative GPA.
Wartburg College Grant
For students with academic potential who demonstrate financial need AND for first-year students with no other scholarship support from Wartburg College. Amounts are determined by financial need and academic achievement.
SPECIAL INTEREST & TALENT SCHOLARSHIPS
McElroy Scholarship / Slife Scholarship
For first-year underrepresented students, based on recommendation and grade point average. Preference to students from the Waterloo/Cedar Falls, Iowa, area. Renewable based on academic performance. Recipients are required to live on campus.
Meistersinger Music Scholarship/Music Ensemble Grant
To qualify, you must respond to an audition invitation and be accepted for admission. Competition is open to music and non-music majors. If your scholarship is for $2,500 or above you must also enroll in music lessons each term. If you audition and receive an amount less than $2,500 you will be awarded a Music Ensemble Scholarship. All recipients of a music scholarship must participate in an ensemble. Cannot be combined with a Departmental Visit Day scholarship.
All-State and/or Lutheran Summer Music Academy Recognition
A $2,500 minimum Meistersinger Music Scholarship is awarded to a student who is an All State participant and/or an alumnus of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival. An audition is required and gives students the opportunity to increase their Meistersinger scholarship amount. Please see Meistersinger Music Scholarship description.
State Pageant Award
Awarded to Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming State Pageant participants. Winner of each pageant will receive a $2,000 scholarship. First runner-up will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
Wartburg College Funded, Endowed Scholarships
A total of 655 scholarships recognizing academic talents, vocational goals and personal characteristics. Recipients recommended by academic departments. Primarily for upper-class students. Other awards may be affected by the receipt of a funded or endowed scholarship.
Education Partners in Covenant (EPIC)
For members of participating congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. A matching funds program between the congregation and the college. Not based on financial need. Wartburg matches up to $750 per academic year.
GEAR UP Wartburg Scholarship
For students who participated in the GEAR UP Iowa Program at their high school, as certified by GEAR UP Iowa staff at Iowa College Aid. Students eligible for the GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship are also eligible to receive the GEAR UP Wartburg Scholarship. Requires FAFSA completion each year.
Diversity Grant
For under-represented students with academic potential. Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) must be completed.
Worth It Week
Awarded to first year students on the basis of participation in Worth It Week prior to enrollment. Not based on financial need.
LEGACY AWARDS
Legacy Grant
For full-time students with alumni parent(s) and/or grandparents, and students with a sibling who currently attends or has graduated from Wartburg. Applicable toward tuition. Recipients of the Legacy Grant cannot also receive an Alumni Referral Award. Not based on financial need.
Tuition Exchange Program for Imports up to full tuition, renewable
Dependents of employees at other higher education institutions may qualify for the tuition exchange program.
OTHER OPTIONS
Yellow Ribbon Program
Grant assistance for U.S. military veterans. Through the GI Bill a qualifying veteran can receive the value of in-state public university tuition. This program allows that amount to be applied toward private college tuition and Wartburg College will pay up to 50 percent of the remaining tuition costs. Wartburg’s funds will then be matched by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. The GI Bill also provides veterans with a housing allowance (the amount based on location) and an annual allowance of up to $1,000 for books and supplies. In addition, veterans also qualify for fixed-rate federal loans to cover other expenses. For more information, contact the Wartburg College financial aid office at 319 352-8262 or email finaid@wartburg.edu.
PELL GRANT up to $6,095 per year
For students from low-and middle-income families who show financial need and are degree seeking. You must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Amounts are determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT up to $500
Awarded to students receiving Pell Grants and demonstrating high financial need.
TEACH GRANT up to $4000 per year
For students interested in a full-time teaching career and committed to teaching for at least four years in a high-need subject area at a school that serves low-income families. Students may receive up to $16,000 for undergraduate study. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be pro-rated based on enrollment status. If students do not fulfill stated teaching requirements, the grant will be converted to a loan with interest. Eligibility Requirements (PDF). TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling
Other Federal Aid:
FEDERAL WORK STUDY/CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT $500- $2500 per year
Awards are estimates. Earnings are based upon hours worked. Preference to early applicants. Once accepted and registered for classes, students may apply online for campus employment.
ALL IOWA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
(amount varies, maximum for 2022-23 is $4983)
- Iowa resident
- Must meet priority award considerations listed on the state’s website such as aging out of Iowa’s foster care system or the State Training School, adopted after age 16, children of deceased public safety workers, graduated from an alternative high school/programs, or participated in certain TRIO or GEAR UP programs
- Must have graduated from an eligible Iowa high school or completed a high school equivalency diploma within the last 2 years
- Be a first-time college freshman (unless you are renewing your scholarship award)
- Plan to enroll for at least 10.5 course credits in a program leading to an undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate
- Need-based Grant
- More details can be found here.
FUTURE READY IOWA GRANT
(amount determined by Iowa Legislature and funds available)
- Iowa resident
- Must have at least half of the credits completed towards a bachelor’s degree that leads to a high-demand job
- Must have not been enrolled in postsecondary education for two or more years
- Must have applied for all other available aid
- Plan to enroll at least half-time
- See more details and requirements available here.
IOWA TUITION GRANT
(up to $7,500 per year, determined by Iowa Legislature and funds available)
- Iowa resident
- Enroll at one of Iowa’s eligible private colleges or universities
- Priority is given to applicants with the greatest need
- Enroll in an undergraduate program
- See more details and requirements available here.
GEAR UP Iowa
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) Iowa was created to significantly increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Participants in the year round program will discover the importance of education, improve academic skills, identify career interests, and explore college opportunities.
The Karen Misjak GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship provides awards to students who are part of the GEAR UP Iowa state-wide cohort. Karen Misjak GEAR UP Iowa Scholarships are sent directly to the college/university that the student is attending and can be used to pay for tuition/fees, room/board, books/supplies, and personal/living expenses while in college. Students who are eligible and complete the program will receive a $1,000 GEAR UP Wartburg Scholarship to attend Wartburg College in addition to the $3,000 per year GEAR UP Iowa Scholarship from the state.
While filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important step in applying for financial aid, it is important to search for additional scholarship opportunities. Many schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations offer scholarships. These scholarships can help you manage expenses and reduce the need for student loans. Be careful when searching for other scholarships and remember that you should never have to pay to find scholarships or other types of financial aid.
Try these free sources of information about scholarships:
- Wartburg Financial Aid Office
- Iowa College Aid
- Your high school counselor
- U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool
- Federal agencies
- Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
- Organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
- Ethnicity or religious-based organizations you are affiliated with
- Your employer or your parents’ employers
Outside Scholarship and Funding Opportunities
*Wartburg College does not endorse these scholarship programs. They are only provided as a resource.
Wartburg is committed to you now and will continue this commitment throughout your four-year academic career. The longevity of institutional funding for transfer students will be prorated based on their class status upon enrollment at Wartburg.