Scholarships and Other Types of Aid

Luther believes that the gifts and talents each student brings to our campus are what makes this such a special place. Because we value what our students contribute to the campus community, we offer a variety of scholarships and awards based on demonstrated academic excellence, musical talent, and other criteria.

Notes: The scholarships and awards listed below are designated for incoming students; Luther College will not retroactively grant these scholarships and awards to students who have begun attendance at the college. The total amount of Luther College scholarships offered to a student is capped at the cost of tuition.

Academic Scholarships and Awards

Academic scholarships are awarded automatically to eligible students upon admission; the only application required is an application for admission. Academic scholarships are renewable for each of a student’s four years at Luther College. Awards are made based on a student’s cumulative grade point average, a personal essay, and an educator’s reference. Standardized test scores are not required, but will be considered if submitted. This chart indicates Luther’s 2022-23 scholarship levels with GPA requirements and award amounts; GPAs are based on a 4.0 scale:

Award NameGPA RangeAnnual Amount
Achievement Award2.90 - 3.09$18,000 per year
Martin Luther Award3.10 - 3.44 $23,000 per year
Dean's Scholarship3.45 - 3.69$25,000 per year
President's Scholarship3.70 - 3.94$27,000 per year
Founders Scholarship3.95+$28,000 per year

Free Tuition for Qualifying Iowa Residents

The Luther College Iowa Impact Award creates an opportunity for high-achieving Iowa students to pursue their academic goals at Luther College.

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Other Scholarships and Awards

Value:
$500–$1,250

Selection Criteria:
Awards are based on the student’s demonstrated leadership within their own congregations and church organizations.

Application:
Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will be accepted until March 15, 2023.

Renewal:
These scholarships are not renewable and are only available to first-year students who are enrolled full-time.

In addition to the scholarships and awards above that are awarded by the Office of Admissions, there are several scholarships administered by various departments at Luther College for first-year students as well as current students.

Value:
$12,000 over four years ($3,000 per year).

Selection Criteria:
Awards are granted to selected students from distinctive and broadly diverse backgrounds based on their potential to enrich the educational environment on campus and make positive contributions to the larger world.

Application:
None. Scholarship is awarded automatically to eligible students upon admission.

Renewal:
Renewable up to 8 semesters, based on full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

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.

Notes:
Notification of awards—and the funds themselves—must come directly from the church to Luther for students to receive the match. EPIC is a program for congregations to support students attending Luther. Congregations may be affiliated with any denomination. EPIC is not intended as a means of diverting family tuition payments through congregations in order to receive personal tax benefit.  This is a violation of tax law that can jeopardize non-profit status for both Luther and the church.

Value:
$4,000 over four years ($1,000 per year).

Selection Criteria:
Offered to students who have been referred by an alumnus/a through the Student Referral Form, as part of the Alumni Ambassador Program.

Application:
None. Scholarship is awarded automatically to eligible students upon admission.

Nomination Deadline:
The alumnus/a may complete the Student Referral Form at any time during the student’s senior year. The deadline for students enrolling in fall 2023 is August 10, 2023.

Renewal:
Renewable up to eight semesters, based on full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

Notes:
A student may only earn one Alumni Referral Scholarship, regardless of the number of alumni that have completed a Student Referral Form for that student. Also, parents may not refer their children; the Luther Legacy Award is designated for this purpose.

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.

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.

Application:
Applicants are asked to write a 500-word essay and provide a one-page resume as part of the application process. The deadline has been extended to January 15, 2023.

Renewal:
This is a non-renewable fellowship.

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 Iowa Impact Award was created: to foster an opportunity for high-achieving Iowa students 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 $75,000 or less
  • Typical amount of reportable assets for a family with a $75,000 adjusted gross income
  • Iowa resident as defined by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission
  • Must reside on campus for each year the award is received
  • Be an incoming student first-time or transfer student for fall 2023

In order to be considered for the Luther College Iowa Impact Award, you must submit your Luther Application and FAFSA by April 15, 2023.
No special scholarship application is needed. If your application is accepted and you qualify for the Iowa Impact Award, Luther will ensure your gift assistance equals the cost of tuition.

Learn more about the Iowa Impact Award

Value:
$4,000 over four years ($1,000 per year).

Selection Criteria:
Awards are given to the dependent children of Luther College graduates.

Application:
Complete a Luther application for admission.

Renewal:
Renewable up to 8 semesters; based on full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

Value:
$4,000 to $8,000 over four years ($1,000 to $2,000 a year).

Selection Criteria:
Awards are given to students who are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.

Renewal:
Renewable up to 8 semesters of full-time enrollment.

Notes:
National Merit Scholarships are granted in addition to other academic awards and scholarships for which students may qualify.

Luther offers a wide variety of scholarships and awards based on musical talent, regardless of chosen major.

Music scholarships are available through an audition process and some are also be based on your achievements in high school. We award most music scholarships on top of any academic scholarship and you’ll keep those scholarships for your entire four years.

Learn more about Luther's Music Scholarships

As part of its sustainability efforts, Luther College offers $5,000 scholarships ($1,250 per year) to students who have demonstrated leadership in sustainability and are committed to working for a more just, equitable, and environmentally sustainable world. Is this you? If so, click here to apply and read on to learn more about this unique opportunity. The scholarship recipients join, work, and learn with other scholars in Luther’s Sustainability Scholars Program.

Learn more about Luther’s Sustainability Scholarship

Luther Theatre and Dance Scholarships recognize incoming students who display outstanding potential for participation in Luther’s theatre and dance programs regardless of a chosen major or minor.

These scholarships are considered a Talent Award, just like music scholarships. While you may audition for more than one Talent Award, only the highest scholarship will be added to your financial aid offer. Theatre and Dance Scholarships are in addition to any academic scholarship and are renewable up to four years.

Theatre Scholarships

Theatre faculty award these scholarships in two areas of interest—performance or design/technical theatre. Candidates for a Luther Theatre Scholarship are identified through an audition or interview and brought to the attention of the scholarship committee.

Learn more about Luther’s Theatre Scholarships

Dance Scholarships

Candidates for a Luther Dance Scholarship are identified through an audition and brought to the attention of the scholarship committee.

Learn more about Luther’s Dance Scholarships

Other Types of Aid to Consider

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Decorah, Iowa 52101

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