Scholarships and Other Types of Aid
We believe our students' gifts and talents make Luther a special place. Our scholarships and awards recognize academic excellence; talent in music, theatre, dance, and art; and many other achievements.
Note: Institutional scholarships, grants, and awards–along with the amounts shown below–are for students beginning attendance at Luther College in the fall of 2025. Students enrolled at Luther before fall 2025 should refer to their financial aid offers in Norse Hub regarding the types and amounts of their scholarships, grants, and awards. Luther College scholarships are capped at the cost of tuition.
Academic Merit Scholarships
Academic merit scholarships are automatically awarded upon admission, and admitted students receive a certificate listing their award as a part of their admission notification packet. The amount is based on high school academic performance, as measured by cumulative high school GPA.
The only step required is submitting an application for admission and a high school transcript. Standardized test scores are not required but may be considered if submitted.
| Annual Amount | GPA Range | Award Name |
|---|---|---|
| $36,000 per year | >=3.95 | Founders |
| $34,000 per year | 3.70 - 3.94 | President's |
| $32,000 per year | 3.45 - 3.69 | Dean |
| $30,000 per year | 3.10 - 3.44 | Martin Luther |
| $28,000 per year | <=3.09 | Achievement |
Academic merit scholarships are renewable through a student’s fourth year at Luther College.
New Student Scholarships
Value
$1,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
Eligible visits must be completed by June 30 of the academic year prior to enrollment at Luther College.
Selection Criteria
Must attend an eligible visit (individual or group) prior to enrolling at Luther College
Value
Up to $1,000 yearly match per student from Luther College for congregational support.
Selection Criteria
Matching grants are given to students whose home congregation financially supports their Luther education.
Application
A representative of the student’s home congregation must submit the EPIC Contribution Form (PDF).
Renewal
Renewable up to 8 semesters, based on full-time enrollment and continuing participation of home congregation.
Value
$2,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
None
Selection Criteria
Recipients must be first-time (either first-year or transfer) Luther students whose parents do not hold a bachelor’s (4-year) degree.
Notes
Older siblings who are either currently in college or college graduates do not affect first-generation status.
Value
$1,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
Referrals are accepted up to one week prior to the student’s first semester at Luther College.
Selection Criteria
Offered to students who have been referred by an alumnus/a through the Future Norse Referral Form, as part of the Alumni Ambassador Program.
Notes
- A student may only earn one Future Norse Referral Grant, regardless of the number of alumni who have completed a Student Referral Form for that student.
- Parents may not refer their children; the Luther Legacy Award is designated for this purpose.
- Referrals are not accepted for students currently attending Luther College.
A Free Tuition Opportunity for Qualified Incoming Students
A quality higher education can, and should, be accessible for all students regardless of their financial circumstance. That’s why the Luther College Impact Awards were created: to foster an opportunity for high-achieving residents of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to pursue their academic goals at Luther College.
Requirements to qualify for this award include:
- A high school GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Family adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less
- Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin resident as defined by, respectively, the Bureau of Iowa College Aid, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, or the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board.
- Must reside on campus for each year the award is received
- Must be an incoming student first-time or transfer student for fall 2025
- FAFSA completion recommended by March 15
Value
$1,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
None
Selection Criteria
Awards are given to the dependent children of Luther College graduates.
Value
$2,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
None
Selection Criteria
Awards are given to students who are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.
Notes
National Merit Scholarships are granted in addition to other academic awards and scholarships for which students may qualify.
Talent Scholarships
Luther offers a wide variety of scholarships and awards based on musical talent, regardless of chosen major.
Value
$1,000-25,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
- Auditioned music scholarships require completion of the Music Scholarship Application.
- Non-auditioned scholarships are awarded based on specific criteria; no separate application is required.
Deadline
See individual scholarship pages for details.
Selection Criteria
See individual scholarship pages for details.
Notes
If an admitted student applies for more than one talent scholarship, they will receive only the highest value award for which they are eligible. The maximum total award for talent and academic scholarships is $50,000 per year.
Value
$3,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
March 15, 2025
Selection Criteria
- Performance: Audition and interview required.
- Design and Technical Theatre: Portfolio and interview required.
Notes
- Theatre scholarships are available to students regardless of intended major.
- If an admitted student applies for more than one talent scholarship, they will receive only the highest value award for which they are eligible. The maximum total award for talent and academic scholarships is $50,000 per year.
Value
$3,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
March 15, 2025
Selection Criteria
Audition and interview required
Notes
- Dance scholarships are talent-based, regardless of chosen major or minor.
- If an admitted student applies for more than one talent scholarship, they will receive only the highest value award for which they are eligible. The maximum total award for talent and academic scholarships is $50,000 per year.
Departmental Scholarships
First-year students intending to major in art may apply for the Sadie Simonson Memorial Art Scholarship and the Lennis Moore Scholarship.
Value
$500-$1,000
Renewal
This is a one-time award.
Application
Required
Deadline
April 5, 2025
Selection Criteria
Written personal statement and portfolio required. Details are provided in the application form.
Note
Further art scholarships are available for continuing students on the basis of their academic and creative performance at Luther.
Value
$500–$1,250 per year.
Renewal
This is a one-time award.
Application
Required
Deadline
March 15, 2025
Selection Criteria
Awards are based on the student’s demonstrated leadership within their own congregations and church organizations.
Value
$1,000
Renewal
This is a one-time award.
Application
None
Deadline
None. Limited number available.
Selection Criteria
Awarded to the first 25 Direct Entry-eligible students who reserve their spot for Fall term.
Awarded to entering first year students of high academic promise who intend to major in history.
Value
$1,000
Renewal
This is a one-time award.
Application
Required
Deadline
March 15 (annually)
Selection Criteria
Awards are based on the student’s intention to major in history; involvement in historical activities; and completion of an essay describing why the student wishes to pursue a major in history.
As part of our sustainability efforts, the Luther College Sustainability Scholarship supports students who have demonstrated leadership in sustainability and are committed to working for a more just, equitable, and environmentally-sustainable world. Scholarship recipients join, work, and learn with other scholars in Luther’s Sustainability Scholars Program.
Value
$1,250 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
Required
Selection Criteria
Commitment to sustainability and social justice demonstrated through personal statement and teacher/mentor recommendation.
Deadline
February 10, 2025
Fellowship Awards (Separate Applications Required)
Value
$5,000 fellowship which may be used anytime during the junior or senior year. The fellowship includes few restrictions; in keeping with the spirit of the program, students have great latitude in using the funds to pursue their own passions. Imagine Fellowships must be used to pursue an extended learning experience beyond campus; therefore, cannot be used to offset normal tuition and fee charges on campus.
lmagine Fellows must maintain a 3.0 Luther GPA and remain enrolled as full-time students.
Renewal
This is a one-time award.
Application
Applicants are asked to write a 500-word essay and provide a one-page resume as part of the application process.
Deadline
January 12, 2025
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on an assessment of each student’s potential promise as a student and a scholar, his or her capacity and passion to engage in creative and self-directed learning, and the student’s ability to translate learning into service to others.
Potential lmagine Fellows are recommended by the admissions staff based on the strength of the admissions file and conversations throughout the admissions process. A Luther College committee consisting of the vice president for enrollment and faculty members will make the final selections. Candidates who are chosen as finalists will be invited to interview.
Notes
Students can apply for both the Imagine and Peace Fellowship awards, but may be awarded only one.
Value
$5,000
Renewal
This is a one-time award.
Application
Applicants are asked to write a 500-word essay and provide a one-page resume as part of the application process.
Deadline
January 12 , 2025
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on an assessment of each student’s capacity to passionately and creatively explore peace studies, to engage in dialogue, to participate in a self-directed project, and to translate learning into service to others.
Potential Peace Fellows are recommended by admissions staff based on the strength of the application file and conversations throughout the admissions process. A Luther College committee consisting of the vice president for enrollment and faculty members will make the final selections. Candidates chosen as semi-finalists will be invited to interview.
Notes
The Peace Fellowship may be used any time during the junior or senior year. There are few restrictions on its use; in keeping with the spirit of the program; students have great latitude in using these funds to pursue a self-directed project that supports exploration of peace and the translation of learning into service. Peace Fellowships cannot be used to offset normal tuition and fee charges on campus.
Peace Fellows must maintain a 3.00 Luther GPA, remain enrolled as full-time students, and participate in a seminar course during their first year of study at Luther.
Students can apply for both the Imagine and Peace Fellowship awards, but may be awarded only one.
Other Sources of Aid
Financial Aid Office
Main 27
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1018
Fax: 563-387-2241