Check Out These Scholarships

by Jessica Harman

You can find a variety of scholarships listed below.  Before you choose to apply to any of the scholarships, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:

 

1.  Deadlines for applications are crucial.  Late applications are usually not even considered!  

2.  Scholarships are available based on need and ability (academic, athletic, leadership, artistic talents).  Community involvement can be included in the selection.  Some scholarships merely require completing an application; others ask for an essay, recommendation letters, or presentation of talent.

3.  Completing the scholarship application accurately, completely and neatly is extremely important.

4.  Type the information whenever possible.

5.  When references or recommendation letters are required, be sure to contact the person writing the letter early.  Ask the principal, counselor or teacher two or three weeks prior to the deadline, so they have time to do a quality job.  Provide a stamped, addressed envelope when necessary.  Make sure you thank them for taking the time to support you.

 

Finally, once you have received a scholarship, it is important to send a letter of acceptance and appreciation.

 

 

Local Scholarships

1.  Faithful Futures Scholarship sponsored by ATLAS of Lyon Co.

• Criteria:
  • must be a senior attending a Lyon County, Iowa high school
  • must be planning to attend an accredited college or university
  • Must submit required essay
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 10, 2026

 

2.  Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Scholarships

• Undergrad Scholarships
  • up to five $1000 scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two or four year college, university or technical school.
  • Students must reside in a household receiving electric service from Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities.
  • applications can be found HERE.
• Powerline/Lineworker Scholarships
  • 7-$2000 scholarships will be awarded to students who enroll in a full-time powerline/lineworker program at an eligible technical college:  
    • Northwest Iowa Community College-Sheldon
    • Dakota County Technical College-Rosemount
    • Minnesota State Community and Technical College-Wadena
    • Minnesota West Community and Technical College-Granite Falls and Jackson campuses
    • Bismarck State College-Bismarck
    • Mitchell Technical College-Mitchell
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  March 13, 2026

 

3.  Rural Electric Cooperative Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • Must be a dependent child of a member-cooperative employee or consumer
  • US citizen
  • must be planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two or four year college, university or technical college
  • priority will be given to applicants planning to attend vocational-technical college
  • application can be found HERE or in the Guidance Office.

Deadline:  February 16, 2026

   

4.  Farm Bureau Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • parent must be a member of Farm Bureau
  • more information and application can be found HERE

Deadline:  January 28, 2026

 

5.  Community Oil Company, Rock Valley, IA Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • applicant must be a dependent of a current shareholder at Community Oil Company.
  • must be a senior in high school for year 25-26
  • must be planning to enroll in a post-secondary 2 or 4 year college, university or vocational school
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office.

Deadline:  March 6, 2026

 

6.  Sioux Center Health Foundation Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a high school senior or college student
  • must be interested in or are pursuing studies in the healthcare field.
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  March 6, 2026

 

7.  Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities

• Utility-Focused Scholarship
  • live in a residence that is a verified customer of an IAMU member or attend a high school that is a verified customer of an IAMU member.
  • be a graduating high school senior or have previously graduated from high school
  • be attending a post high school education program located in Iowa in the fall of 2026
• General Scholarship
  • must be attending college/technical school within the state of Iowa
  • have a parent/grandparent/legal guardian who is an employee of an IAMU-verified member
  • Have a 3.0 minimum GPA

Application can be found HERE

Deadline:  February 28, 2026

 

8.  Lyon County Pork Ambassador

• Criteria:
  • can be either male or female
  • parents must be current members of the Pork Producers Association
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline: March 7, 2026

 

 

9.  CLEA/Van Roekel Memorial Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be in your 2nd year of college
  • must show proof of acceptance or enrollment in the school of education
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office 

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

10.  Collins Trust

• Criteria:
  • legal last name must be in the Manhattan, New York phone book (exact spelling).
  • application can be obtained at US Bank in Rock Rapids

Deadline:  May 1, 2026

 

11.  Future of Healthcare/Dr. Cody and Jen Hoefert Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a Central Lyon senior graduating in 2026
  • must be attending a post-secondary institution following graduation
  • must be pursuing an education in a healthcare related field
  • minimum GPA of 2.0
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

12.  Dwayne and Sharon Postma Agriculture Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a Central Lyon senior
  • must be enrolled at a post-secondary school
  • must be in some form of agriculture to be eligible
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 30, 2026

 

13.  Rock Rapids Firefighter's Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be part of the Central Lyon School District and/or Rock Rapids Fire District
  • parent, guardian, or grandparent is or was in the past a volunteer Fire and Rescue
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  March 15, 2026

 

14.  Frank Boon Trust Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a Central Lyon senior graduating in 2026
  • financial need and grades will be considered
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

15.  Lions Pride Scholarships

• Central Lyon Foundation--must be a CL graduating senior
• DeBerg Brothers--must be attending Iowa, ISU or UNI
• Ellen O Johnson--must be planning to enroll in an education field
• Glascock--must be going into pharmacy or some type of Healthcare
• Mary Ellen Roach Sinclair 4-H--must be a graduating senior 4-H'er
• Stewart Family--must be enrolling in trade, vo-tech or specialized school
• Marion C. Soehl Family Scholarship--must be enrolling in education or veterinary medicine
• Central Lyon Superintendents Scholarship--must be a graduating senior
• Rock Rapids Business Women--must be a graduating senior, male or female
• Appel Family Scholarship--must be majoring in journalism, business or sustainable agriculture
• Harding Family--preference given to an agricultural related field of study
• Lions Pride Scholarship--must be a Central Lyon graduating senior
• Riley Meyer Memorial Vocational Scholarship--must be seeking a vocational career
• Dorothy E. McCormack Charitable Trust--must be a graduating senior, 3.0 GPA, must not have received an athletic scholarship
• Delrae Bennett (Grave) Memorial Scholarship--must be a graduating senior, must be planning to study fine arts or an engineering field
• Robin R. (Swanson) Kilgore Memorial Scholarship--must be majoring in business and/or finance and related fields of Accounting, Economics, Logistics, Management or Agriculture Economics/Business
• John McDonald Memorial Scholarship--must be going into English or Education

 

Application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

16.  Nick and Betty Roach Family Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • CL senior
  • must be attending ISU
  • must be enrolling in Education, Agriculture, Business or Journalism
  • must have a minimum GPA of 2.0
  • must show financial need for this award
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

17.  PEO Golden Star Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a Central Lyon Senior female student
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

18.  Senora Payne-Groves Memorial Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must have completed 2 years of foreign language
  • must be a Central Lyon senior or graduate (within last three years)
  • must be currently attending or will attend a two or four year program at a post-secondary institution
  • must be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

19.  Lyon County Water and Soil Conservation Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be planning to attend college and major in agriculture
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  February 6, 2026

 

20.  Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Association Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a Lyon County, IA student entering healthcare following high school graduation
  • applications can be found in the Guidance Office

 

Deadline:  March 31, 2026

 

21.  Farmers Mutual Insurance Association Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • parents must be insured by Farmers Mutual Insurance of Hull
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • must be planning to attend a post high school educational institution in the fall of 2026
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Application must be turned into Mrs. Harman by March 10, 2026 

so that she can submit to Farmers Mutual by March 15, 2026

 

 

 

22.  Rock Rapids Women's Action Club Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be planning to pursue further studies in a program that requires technical, vocational, trade, university or college education
  • eligible applicants must be currently enrolled as a senior student whose primary household is supported by one parent or legal guardian due to circumstances such as divorce, separation, death of a parent, or sole custodial responsibility
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

 

Deadline:  March 20, 2026

 

23.  Rock Rapids EMT Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be graduating from Central Lyon
  • must have a parent, grandparent or guardian who is or was in the past a volunteer or employee in emergency OR
  • must demonstrate a clear intent to pursue a career related to emergency response or emergency department care
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

 

Deadline:  March 15, 2026

 

24. Siouxland Officials Association Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a senior
  • must have participated in at least one sport for at least three years of their high school career, including senior year
  • must have a 3.00 minimum GPA
  • must exhibit outstanding character, be a total team player, demonstrate the highest level of sportsmanship during their career and serve as a role model for all students at their high school
  • must have applied at a qualified post secondary educational institution for the 26-27 academic year
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

 

Deadline:  March 20, 2026 

 

25.  Construction Work Force Development Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a Central Lyon senior planning to study some form of construction, HVAC, plumbing or electrical field
  • application can be found in the Guidance office

 

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

26.  Richard Hatz Scholarship

• Critieria:
  • must be a resident of Lyon Co.
  • must be entering a field in Business, Health, Nutrition, Early Education or Energy Conservation
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  March 18, 2026

 

27.  Three Rivers Pheasants Forever Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • minimum GPA of 2.0
  • student must be a member or have a parent, grandparent or guardian that is a member of Three Rivers Pheasants Forever
  • must be intending to pursue conservation, wildlife management, agriculture or environmental sciences
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

Deadline:  March 20, 2026

 

28.  Ag Coop Safety Leaders of Iowa Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • high school senior
  • must be looking to further their career in an Agriculture or Safety related field and must be planning to attend college, university or trade school during the upcoming school year
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  April 1, 2026

 

29.  Cooperative Energy Company Scholarship Program

• Criteria:
  • must be planning to attend a 2 year or 4 year college or trade school
  • preference given to those going into Business Management, Accounting, Administrative Management, Marketing & Sales, Transportation, Diesel & Auto Service Technology, Tire Service Technology, Commercial Driving
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  April 17, 2026

 

30.  Sanford Health Network Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must have an affiliation with a participating Sanford network facility
  • must be accepted into a healthcare program at an accredited post-secondary institution
  • must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  March 31, 2026

 

 

 

State Scholarships

1.  Iowa Student Loan Education Lending Scholarship

• criteria:
  • must be an Iowa resident who is an Iowa high school student, undergraduate student or parents/guardians or others who hold an ISave 529 account benefiting and Iowa high school student or undergraduate student
• application can be found at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/Enter

 

Deadline:  December 5, 2025

 

2.  Iowa Newspaper Foundation (INF) Scholarships

• criteria:
  • must be preparing for a career in the newspaper industry
• application can be found HERE

 

Deadline:  February 13, 2026

 

3.  Timberline Billing Service Scholarship

• criteria:
  • must be on an IEP during their secondary education
  • must be a 2026 graduate
• application can be found in the Guidance Office

 

Deadline:  January 15, 2026

 

4.  Iowa Junior Chamber International Senate Scholarship

• criteria:
  • must be a graduating senior
  • must be attending an accredited post secondary institution
• application and more information can be found HERE

 

Deadline:  January 12, 2026

 

5.  Iowa PGA Foundation Scholarships

• Morris Family Scholarship                Deadline:  June 15, 2026
  • must be planning on playing college golf
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office
• Max Shields Scholarship                  Deadline:  September 10, 2026
  • must be furthering their education and career in the golf industry, which includes but is not limited to the PGA profession, agronomy, club management, hospitality and membership
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office
• Charlie Burkart Scholarship              Deadline:  June 15, 2026
  • winners are chosen on the basis of their interest and activity in golf, the potential for future contributions to the game, leadership skills/community involvement, then on their academic/professional ability and financial need
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office
• Women's Fairway Scholarship          Deadline:  September 10, 2026
  • must be a female furthering their education and training toward a career in golf, pursuing membership in the PGA of America
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office
• Career Advancement Scholarship     Deadline:  September 10, 2026
  • must be planning to pursue a career in the golf industry or other career requiring educational training
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

 

6.  IHSADA-NIAAA Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a senior in high school
  • must have one of the following: minimum B+ average GPA, ranked in the top 25% of class, ACT score of 24 or SAT score of 1100
  • must have participate in two sports for at least two years in each sport
  • must have earned at least one varsity letter in each of two sports
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  January 12, 2026

7.  Iowa Knights Templar Scholarships

• must be a high school senior who will graduate from a public high school within the state of Iowa
• the principal criteria is service to school and community with special emphasis upon leadership roles in these areas
• applicants academic record, communication skills and need for financial assistance are also carefully considered
• application can be found in the Guidance Office

 

Deadline:  March 15, 2026

 

8.  Iowa State Rifle & Pistol Association Scholarships

• Criteria:
  • US citizen
  • good moral character
  • minimum GPA of 3.0
  • graduating high school senior
  • demonstrates acceptance to a university, college or trade school leading to a diploma or trade certification
  • demonstrates rifle-air rifle-pistol-shotgun marksmanship competition experience
  • application can be found HERE

DEADLINE:  MARCH 1, 2026

 

9.  Iowa Limestone Producers Association

• must be interested in the trades or have a family member who works in the rock industry
• application can be found HERE

 

DEADLINE:  DECEMBER 31, 2025

 

10.  Iowa Chapter of the National Football Foundation Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • graduating senior football players only
  • GPA must be 3.5 or higher
  • ACT composite score of 26 or higher
  • Player must have been named 1st team All-District in football
  • applicants having held tangible leadership positions in school or community are preferred
  • application can be found HERE or in the Guidance Office

DEADLINE:  January 1, 2026

 

11.  Iowa Golf Association Scholarships

• both Scholarships are based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and leadership qualities, not on golf accomplishments or ability
  • Herman Sani Scholarship--resident of Iowa, must have some experience in golf or background
    • application can be found HERE
  • Ann Griffel Scholarship--resident of Iowa, experience or background in golf, female, must intend to further their education at an iowa institution of higher learning, whether a college, university or trade school
    • application can be found HERE

 

DEADLINE: March 31, 2026

 

12.  Iowa Grumpy Goldeneyes Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a member of Ducks Unlimited
  • more information can be found HERE

DEADLINE:  March 1, 2026

 

13.  First Friday Breakfast Club

• Criteria:
  • graduating senior from an Iowa high school
  • planning to pursue college or other post-secondary education
  • participated in significant activities to promote LGBTQ+ acceptance in his/her/their school and/or community
  • awards are made without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, marital status, or employment status
  • application can be found HERE

DEADLINE:  March 15, 2026

 

14.  Iowa Whitetail Deer Association College Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • parent/legal guardian or grandparent must be an active member of the Iowa Whitetail deer association  OR iowa resident High School graduate seeking a career in the Whitetail Deer Industry
  • must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • application can be found HERE

Deadline:  June 15, 2026

 

 

 

National Scholarships

 

1.  Calvin Coolidge Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a high school junior who plans to enrollin college in the fall of 2027
  • US citizen or legal permanent resident
  • application can be found HERE

DEADLINE:  December 16, 2025

 

2.  SFM Foundation Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • parents were killed or seriously injured in workplace accidents while working for Minnesota or Iowa employers
  • application can be found HERE

DEADLINE:  March 31, 2026

 

3.  BigSun Athletics Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be a student athlete
  • application can be found HERE

 

DEADLINE:  June 19, 2026

 

4.  Children's Cancer Center Connection Empowering Scholarship

• Criteria:
  • must be directly affected by childhood cancer
  • must be within the Children's Cancer connection service area
  • must be graduating high school senior who plans to attend an accredited two or four year educational institution OR be currently enrolled in post-secondary education
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

DEADLINE:  January 31, 2026

 

5.  Cancer Pathways Teen Writing Contest

• must submit an essay about their impact with a cancer diagnosis, either their own, or a loved one's 
• application and more information can be found in the Guidance Office

 

DEADLINE:  February 28, 2026

 

6.  Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program

• Criteria:
  • application can be found HERE

DEADLINE:  June 10, 2026

 

 

 

School Specific Scholarships

 

1.  University of Iowa

• The Pearl Hull Falk Scholarship               Deadline:  May 1, 2026
  • Criteria:    
    • protestant faith
    • resident of the state of Iowa
    • attending the University of Iowa full-time
  • application can be found in the Guidance Office

2.  Wayne State College

• Art Scholarships           Deadline:  December 1, 2025
  • www.wsc.edu/art-scholarships
• Language and Literature Scholarships   Deadline:  February 1, 2026
  • www.wsc.edu/language-literature-scholarships

3.  Iowa State University

• Christina Hixson Scholarship          Deadline:  January 6, 2025
  • must be attending ISU in fall 2026
  • must have faced challenges of personal and/or financial harship
  • must be a resident of Iowa
  • must possess the potential to succeed
  • must demonstrate financial need as determined by filing the FAFSA
  • application can be found HERE
• World Food Prize Foundation
  • students must research an issue related to food security and write a paper on the topic under the supervision of a teacher or mentor.  Students who participate in the program earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and a $1000 scholarship to ISU.
• George Washington Carver Scholastic Leadership Scholarship
  • US citizen
  • high school GPA of 3.7 or above
  • demonstrated experience and interest in improving the human condition
• First Cyclone
  • US citizen
  • First-generation college student and/or demonstrated financial need
  • High School GPA of 3.0 or above
  • Demonstrated experience and interest in improving the human condition

4.  Morningside University

• Nylen School of Nursing        Deadline:  February 28, 2026
  • must be an incoming nursing student