Scholarships for International Students

Students are automatically considered for academic merit scholarships. It is awarded on the basis of academic performance, predicted exam scores, and a full review of the admissions file. Current academic scholarships are up to $37,000 per academic year.

Academic merit scholarships are renewable through a student’s fourth year at Luther College.

Luther Global Leaders Scholarships: Award amounts vary. The scholarship recognizes the talents and leadership potential of students from around the world whose very presence on campus connects us deeply, personally, and globally. Based on demonstrated need and/or potential contributions to enhancing campus life. It is renewable through a student’s fourth year.

Luther International Student Health Insurance Grant: Valued at $100. Awarded to international students to cover the estimated cost of health insurance premiums for one year. It is renewable through a student’s fourth year.

Luther Transition Grant: Valued at $800. Provided for all incoming international students to help make a smooth adjustment to college life in the U.S. This is a one-time award, and is intended to help new students pay for expenses related to textbooks, school supplies, and other initial personal expenses.

Luther College Work Study: An on-campus job is guaranteed to all international students who choose to work on campus. Students earn approximately $3,800 during the academic year. The earnings can be saved or used to pay for educational and personal expenses throughout the year.

These endowed or named scholarships were given to Luther as generous gifts from alumni and friends of the college. The scholarship amount and criteria for selection varies.They are generally renewable providing the student is enrolled full-time and making satisfactory academic progress.

The Synneva Hella Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, averaging $2,000 a year, was established to encourage the exchange of students and study opportunities between Luther College and Norway, and is awarded to incoming international student(s) from Norway.

Hervey Endowed Scholarship, averaging $700 a year, was established by Professor Norma Hervey and her husband, William, and is awarded to an academically gifted international student.

Engebret Nelson (Sebo) Hong Scholarship, averaging $2,000 a year, was established by Anna E. Hong in memory of her father, and is awarded to incoming international students who are residents of Norway and who desire to prepare themselves for careers in teaching, government service, business, social service, performing arts, law, or medicine.

Reckling-Chossek Scholarship, averaging $1,200 a year, is awarded to a student(s) who can show demonstrated need, with preference given to someone from Tanzania.

The Wigeland/American-Scandinavian Foundation Scholarship Fund, ranging from $1,600 to $3,500 a year, is awarded to students from one of the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland.

Scholarships are available regardless of the student’s 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.

Music 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.

Learn About Music Scholarships

Theatre Scholarships

Value: $3,000 per year

Renewal: Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Selection Criteria:

• Performance: Audition and interview required
• Design and Technical Theatre: Portfolio and interview required

Learn About Theatre Scholarships

Art Scholarships

Sadie Simonson Memorial Art Scholarship: 

Value: $500 – $1,000 per year

Renewal: Non-renewable, one time award

Deadline: March 15, 2026

Selection Criteria
Awarded to incoming students who demonstrate outstanding artistic ability as described in their admissions essay and recommendation letters. Students receiving this scholarship are required to enroll in ART 108 Foundations: Drawing or ART 111 Foundations: Sculpture in their first year.

For additional details, visit the Art Department Incoming Student Scholarship page.

Lennis Moore Scholarship

Value: Amount varies

Renewal: This award is not renewable. However, the art program has additional scholarships it awards to continuing students on the basis of academic and creative performance at Luther.

Complete an Application

Xie Scholarship for Math:
Named for Enwei Xie, a Luther graduate (originally from China) who graduated from Luther with majors in mathematics, physics, and computer science.

Value: $3,000 to $5,000 per year

Renewal: Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment

Deadline: Automatically considered

Selection Criteria: Awarded to new international students who intend to major in mathematics and demonstrate the need for financial assistance.

Davis United World College (UWC) Scholarships
Luther is one of nearly 100 colleges in the U.S. recognized as a Davis UWC Scholars Program partner school. This scholar program is committed to bringing talented students from every corner of the world to U.S. colleges and universities in hopes of creating international understanding and positive changes in the world. Through the generous philanthropic support funded by one of its founders, Shelby Davis, matriculated UWC graduates attending Luther may receive up to $30,000 based on need. This scholarship will be renewed each year for four years as long as a student is making satisfactory academic progress.

Luther Legacy Award

Value: $1,000

Renewal: Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment

Deadline: Automatically considered

Selection Criteria: Awarded to dependent children of Luther alumni.

Anne Doyle Award

Value: $1,000

Renewal: Non-renewable, one time award

Selection Criteria: Awarded to a new international student who plans to attend a member college or university of StudyIowa, a consortium of which Luther College is a member. The recipient is chosen based on the student’s academic record, essays, and recommendation letters. Instructions on how to apply for this scholarship can be found on StudyIowa.