Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financing a Luther Education
Each year, Luther College provides substantial financial aid to incoming international students and U.S. citizens living abroad. Aid is awarded for full-time study during the academic year and typically includes a combination of academic scholarships, need-based aid, and work-study opportunities.
Luther guarantees an on-campus job to all international students who wish to participate, allowing them to earn approximately $3,800 during the academic year.
While generous, Luther’s financial aid resources for international students are limited. In most cases, students should expect to contribute a portion—often up to half or more—of their educational expenses. This can come from personal or family resources, as well as from external support such as local or national churches, government agencies, or cultural organizations.
How to Apply for Financial Aid (International Students)
To apply for financial aid as an international student, you must submit a completed, signed, and verified International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA). This form should reflect your ability to finance travel and study at Luther College. In addition to the ISAFA, please provide supporting documentation such as certified bank statements, family wage reports, or other official records demonstrating your financial capacity.
Note for U.S. Students Living Abroad
U.S. citizens residing outside the United States should not complete the ISAFA. Instead, you are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for U.S. federal financial aid programs.
Costs for the 2026-27 Academic Year:
- Tuition—$55,140
- Double room—$6,010
- Meals—$6,700
- Fees—$2,255
- Estimate for books/personal expenses/transportation—$4,700
- Estimated total—$74,805
Each year, Luther awards a significant amount of merit scholarships and need-based aid to international students and U.S students living abroad in order to make Luther affordable.
Scholarships for International Students
To demonstrate its strong commitment to global diversity, Luther strives to meet the financial need of all admitted international students.
We offer a wide variety of scholarships and awards based on demonstrated academic excellence, musical talent, fellowships, and other criteria.
Note: Music, talent, or other discipline-based scholarships and the StudyIowa Anne Doyle Award may require additional materials.
Students are automatically considered for academic merit scholarships. These are awarded on the basis of academic performance, predicted exam scores, and a full review of the admissions file. Current academic scholarships are valued at up to $39,000 per academic year.
Academic merit scholarships are renewable through a student’s fourth year at Luther College.
Need-Based Aid
Value
Award amounts vary
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None. Automatically considered
Deadline
None
Notes
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.
Value
Estimated at $1,800
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None
Deadline
None
Notes
Awarded to all international students to cover the estimated cost of health insurance premiums for one year. It is renewable through a student’s fourth year.
Value
$800
Renewal
One-time award
Application
None
Deadline
None
Notes
Provided for all incoming international students to help make a smooth adjustment to college life in the U.S. This award is intended to help new students pay for expenses related to textbooks, school supplies, and other initial personal expenses.
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.
Talent Scholarships
Luther offers a wide variety of scholarships and awards based on musical talent, regardless of chosen major.
Value
Up to $7,000 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
Must be an applicant to Luther College to apply for auditioned music scholarships.
If an admitted student applies for more than one talent scholarship, they will receive only the highest value award for which they are eligible. If the student receives a departmental endowment in addition to the scholarship, the scholarship amount may be adjusted to ensure the total aid does not exceed institutional or regulatory limits.
Luther offers theatre scholarships based on talent, regardless of chosen major.
Value
Up to $3,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
Required
Deadline
Application deadline: March 29, 2027
Audition deadline: March 31, 2027
Selection Criteria
- Performance: Audition and interview required.
- Design and Technical Theatre: Portfolio and interview required.
Notes
Must be an applicant to Luther College to apply.
If an admitted student applies for more than one talent scholarship, they will receive only the highest value award for which they are eligible. If the student receives a departmental endowment in addition to the scholarship, the scholarship amount may be adjusted to ensure the total aid does not exceed institutional or regulatory limits.
Other Awards and Scholarships
Value
Up to $1,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None. Automatically considered
Deadline
None
Selection Criteria
Awarded to dependent children of Luther alumni.
Value
Up to $1,000
Renewal
One-time award
Application
Required
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.
The art program has several scholarships available to incoming first-year students, regardless of major.
Value
Up to $1,000
Renewal
One-time award
Application
Required
Deadline
March 1
Selection Criteria
Written personal statement and portfolio of artworks are required. Details are provided in the application form.
Notes
Must be an applicant to Luther College to apply. Further art scholarships are available for continuing students on the basis of their academic and creative performance at Luther.
Value
Up to $5,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None. Automatically considered
Deadline
None
Selection Criteria
Awarded to new students who intend to major in mathematics and demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
Notes
The Math Scholarships are named for Enwei Xie, a Luther graduate who graduated with majors in mathematics, physics, and computer science.
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
Up to $1,250 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
Required, including the name and email of a reference who will provide a letter of recommendation. Finalists will be invited to interview.
Deadline
February 1
Selection Criteria
Commitment to sustainability and social justice demonstrated through personal statement and teacher/mentor recommendation. Must be accepted to Luther College to apply.
Notes
Must be accepted to Luther College to apply.
Value
Up to $25,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment
Application
None. Automatically considered
Deadline
None
Selection Criteria
Awarded to matriculated UWC graduates attending Luther based on need.
Notes
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. This scholarship is made possible by the generous philanthropic support of one of its founders, Shelby Davis.
International Admissions Office
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1445
Fax: 563-387-2159