ISU Merit Scholarship 2025

International transfer and first-year students are eligible for Iowa State University’s ISU Merit Scholarship. These scholarships, which provide significant financial assistance as students work toward their academic objectives at Iowa State, are given out by academic achievement and a track record of achievements.

ISU Merit Scholarship

The goal of the ISU scholarship program is to give academically talented students starting the Diploma Program a pre-university education of worldwide standards.

Scholarships will be given out for two years. This award is not available to students whose entire tuition is covered by an outside source.

Without this scholarship, students would not be able to afford to attend ISU. The program looks for students who can succeed in an international environment, lead by example, and become future community leaders.

Iowa State University

Giving academically gifted students beginning the Diploma Program a pre-university education of international caliber is the aim of the ISU scholarship program.

Scholarships are awarded for two years. Students whose whole tuition is paid for by an outside source are not eligible for this grant.

Students wouldn’t be able to afford to attend ISU without this scholarship. Students who can lead by example, thrive in a global setting, and develop into future community leaders are sought for by the program.

In terms of overall enrollment, Iowa State is the state’s second-largest university. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Engineering, the Graduate College, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences;

The College of Design, Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, and the College of Health and Human Sciences are among the eight colleges that oversee the university’s academic programs.

They provide a professional degree program in veterinary medicine in addition to more than 100 bachelor’s, 120 master’s, and 80 doctoral degree programs.

Benefits of the ISU Merit Scholarship

1. International Merit Scholarship (Fall and Spring).

2. Award of Achievement: A sum of up to $40,000 ($5,000–$10,000 per year).

3. Award of Distinction: $16,000 in total ($2,000–$4,000 per year).

Funding is available to first-year recipients for a maximum of eight semesters or until they finish their degree, whichever comes first.

Requirements for the ISU Merit Scholarship

1. Be a first-year foreign student who has been accepted and has had their international tuition assessed.

2. By May 1st, accept the admission offer.

3. Submit the OneApp application:

4. Finish the International Student Admissions Scholarship application. After finishing the General Application, go to Opportunities > Suggested and choose the International Students Admission Scholarship Application for the term you want (fall or spring).

Renewal Requirements

You must fulfill the following requirements to keep your scholarship throughout your stay at Iowa State:

While attending Iowa State, maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
Maintain a minimum of 12 semester credits every term (not including summer sessions).
Continue to be enrolled at international tuition rates as an international student.
Only apply the grant to your undergraduate tuition & fees.

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Application Deadlines

Fall term

Priority deadline: February 15
Final deadline: May 1

Spring term

Priority deadline: November 15
Final deadline: December 15

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions and answers you may likely have and need clarity on:

1. What Account Do I use to sign into OneApp?

Incoming students will use their Admissions MyAccount, which was created when they applied for admission or registered for a campus visit.

After accepting your offer of admission, you will be prompted to convert your Admissions MyAccount to a Net-ID. Current students will use their Net-ID account [netid]@iastate.edu.

2. What Happens after I have completed my General Application?

After completing the General Application, you will be immediately referred to any further scholarship possibilities that you may be eligible for, including departmental, college, and other suggested opportunities. Instructions will walk you through the application process.

3. How Long will it take me to Complete the Application?

It differs. It usually takes students between thirty and sixty minutes to complete the application.

This will depend on a variety of criteria, including the college, major, number of opportunities provided, degree of clarity in the responses, and others.

Completing the application all at once is not required. Don’t forget to save any data in the application.

As you complete the application, save often. The system will not automatically save any information.

4. Who is Eligible to Receive a Merit Scholarship at Iowa State?

In general, prospective undergraduate students with strong academic records are eligible. Scholarships have different specific requirements.

5. What Factors are Considered when awarding Merit Scholarships?

Academic performance, particularly high school GPA and, if submitted, standardized test results (ACT/SAT), are usually the main determinants. Other criteria, such as leadership, extracurricular activities, residency, or a particular major, may also be taken into account by some scholarships.

6. Are Merit Scholarships Renewable?

If students fulfill certain requirements, many merit scholarships can be renewed for up to four years, or eight semesters.

These requirements usually include continuing full-time enrollment and maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA (usually between 2.5 and 3.0, but this can vary by scholarship).

7. Can International Students receive Merit Scholarships?

Yes, Iowa State offers merit scholarships to international students. For international first-year and transfer students, there are special scholarships available.

Some of these are given out automatically based on academic performance, while others require the International Admissions Scholarship application to be submitted through OneApp.

8. Can Transfer Students receive Merit Scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships are available to transfer students as well, though the requirements can be a little different than those for new freshmen.

9. Can I receive more than one Merit Scholarship?

Although some merit awards at the university level might not be able to be combined, it is feasible to win more than one scholarship. University-wide grants can frequently be stacked with departmental and college scholarships.

10. Are Merit Scholarships Based on Financial Need?

Academic achievement and potential, not financial need, are the main criteria for merit scholarships. Nonetheless, certain scholarships might take into account both merit and proven financial need, which is determined by the FAFSA (for qualifying non-citizens and U.S. citizens).

ISU Merit Scholarship 2025