1750 Beardshear Hall Ames, IA
- Rating: A
- 25,332 Students
- Public
Description
Iowa State University, a public land-grant institution located in Ames, Iowa, is recognized as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University with a strong emphasis on innovation and discovery. Offering a wide range of academic programs across eight colleges, the university is particularly well-regarded for its contributions in agriculture, engineering, and design. Iowa State provides students with extensive research opportunities, a diverse array of student organizations, and a spirited athletic environment as a member of the Big 12 Conference, fostering a comprehensive and engaging college experience.
National Merit
Iowa resident National Merit Scholars
Iowa residents who are named National Merit Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation will qualify for a full tuition scholarship available for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate coursework at Iowa State University. To renew this award, the student must remain continuously enrolled at Iowa State University on a full-time basis as an Iowa resident in good academic standing and maintain a minimum of 3.00 cumulative grade point average. This award is available during fall and spring semesters only, not during the summer session. Students who receive the full tuition scholarship are not eligible for other merit awards from the Office of Admissions including the Loyal Forever True Awards for Iowa residents.
Nonresident National Merit Scholars
The National Merit Scholarship program at Iowa State University benefits high-achieving academic students from across the United States. Nonresidents can be selected to receive the Iowa State college-sponsored scholarship through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) worth $500/year. Students recognized in the National Merit Scholarship competition can be eligible for a scholarship from one of our undergraduate colleges. Iowa State offers automatic merit-based awards and scholarships awarded through the OneApp scholarship portal.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Recognition Awards for Iowa Students
| Scholarship | Cumulative GPA | ACT/SAT | Amount/Year | Total Amount |
| Loyal Scholar | 3.80 | 32/1450 | $3,000/year for 4 years | $12,000 |
| Forever Scholar | 3.60 | 28/1300 | $2,000/year for 4 years | $8,000 |
| True Scholar | 4.0 | no test score required | $1,500/year for 4 years | $6,000 |
NOTE:Â The minimum cumulative high school GPA must be met to earn each award. Students will be expected to meet the minimum GPA paired with the ACT or SAT score for the Loyal Scholar and the Forever Scholar. The awards are not stackable. We accept weighted GPA.
Last Updated: April 2025