University of Dubuque offers a wide variety of merit scholarships, awards, and grants that support the University's Mission while recognizing academic achievement, commitment to community service, and demonstrated leadership.

Merit Based Awards

  • Heritage Society Scholarship: $15,000
    • First Year Students: cumulative high school GPA of  3.8

  • Presidential Scholarship: $12,000 
    • First Year Students: cumulative high school GPA of 3.5
    • Transfer Students: cumulative GPA from most recent college of 3.5

  • Honors Scholarship: $10,000
    • First Year Students: cumulative high school GPA of 3.3
    • Transfer Students: cumulative GPA from most recent college of 3.3

  • Dean's Merit Scholarship: $8,000
    • First Year Students: cumulative high school GPA of 3.0
    • Transfer Students: cumulative GPA from most recent college of 3.0

  • Forerunner Award: $6,000
    • First Year Students: cumulative high school GPA of 2.5
    • Transfer Student: cumulative GPA from most recent college of 2.5

  • PTK (Phi Theta Kappa): $15,000.00
    • Transfer Students who are members of the international honor society of two-year colleges

  • IB (International Baccalaureate): $15,000.00 
    • First Year students who will or have earned an IB Diploma

Other Awards

  • $1,000 for each of the following:
    • Alumni Grant: awarded to students who have had, or currently have a family member attending the University of Dubuque
    • Educator Grant: awarded to students whose parent is employed by an educational institution
    • Eagle Scout Scholarship: awarded to students that have earned the Boy Scouts Eagle Scout designation
    • Gold Award Scholarship: awarded to students that have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award

  •  $2,000 each for the following:
    • Clergy Grant: awarded to children of ministers
    • Dubuque Area Partnership Award: awarded to students graduating from a Dubuque County, IA, Grant County, WI, or Jo Daviess County, IL high school and attending University of Dubuque as their first college

  • $3,000 for each of the following:
    • DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependent Schools) Partnership Award: Awarded to students graduating from a DoDDS high school
    • MCEI (Military Child Education Initiative) Award: Awarded to the children of active duty, and/or retired servicemen/women
    • Veterans Service Award: Awarded to veterans of any military service
    • The Wendt Character Scholar Conditional Scholarship: Awarded based on an application and two recommendations. Applications are accepted December 1 - January 31

  •  $6,000 for the following:
    • ROTC Service Award (Contracted Cadets): Awarded to cadets who have been awarded an Army ROTC Scholarship and who live on campus (Required to complete Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) annually).

Notes:

Reporting changes in enrollment, residency and financial circumstances
Any change in a student's enrollment status, financial circumstances, or residential status must be reported immediately to the Office of Financial Aid. Such a change may affect the calculation of financial need and the corresponding assistance offered. It is in the best interest of students moving off-campus to contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to seeking permission to move in order to determine the impart to their financial aid package.

Students at graduation

University of Dubuque Grants

Awarded based on the need of the student

General Institutional Grants

Awarded to eligible students attending the University.

Dollars for Scholars Matching Program

The University of Dubuque matches dollar for dollar (up to $1,000) any scholarships received through a Dollars for Scholars chapter affiliated with the Citizen Scholarship Foundation of America (CFSA).

Student Employment

Student Employment at the University of Dubuque is available first to needy students as determined by the FAFSA, then to others as needed. The University participates in the Federal Work-study program and the University funded work-study program. The average award is $2,000 per year.

Federal and State of Iowa Grants

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who demonstrate exceptional need as demonstrated by filing the FAFSA. Awarded amounts are based on individual student eligibility.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is available to students taking necessary coursework to become elementary or secondary teachers. TEACH Grant eligible students must agree to serve a minimum of four years as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a school that serves low-income students. TEACH Grant eligible students must meet certain academic achievement requirements.

State of Iowa Grants

The Iowa Tuition Grant is a need-based grant for Iowa residents in the amount of up to $8,500 for 2024-2025, depending on enrollment status and funding of the program by the state. A FAFSA must be received by the processing center by the deadline of July 1 for eligibility beginning the next fall semester. For more information check the Iowa College Student Aid Commission's website.

Future Ready Iowa Grant

  • 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
  • More details and requirements available here

Presbyterian Church (USA) Financial Aid Programs

National Presbyterian College Scholarships. 
Approximately 75 scholarships are awarded annually by the Presbyterian Church (USA) to eligible high school seniors who are successful in the national competition for them. The scholarships, which are renewable, are funded by the Presbyterian Church (USA). Address inquiries to Presbyterian Church (USA), Office of Financial Aid for Studies, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY, 40202-1396. Application deadline is December 1 for the following year.

Local Banks and Credit Unions:

If you're looking for additional scholarship opportunities, check out the Complete Guide to Scholarships for College Students.