Bright Scholars
We are proud to collaborate with the Bright Foundation to ensure students receiving a scholarship funded by them have a top-notch experience during their time at UNI. Bright Scholars have the opportunity of a lifetime with their fully funded scholarship that is complemented with mentoring and community building opportunities through UNI Honors & Scholars Programs.
Selection Process
Are you a top student attending an Iowa high school who lacks the financial means to attend college? You may qualify for a scholarship that would allow you to graduate debt-free from selected Iowa universities or community colleges.
The Bright Scholars of Iowa Award is a need and merit based grant, funded by the Bright Foundation, designed to help ensure that a selected number of outstanding Iowa high school seniors have the financial means to complete a two-year or four-year college education without debt.
Eligibility Requirements
- Current senior attending an Iowa high school
- Outstanding academic achievement (top 10% or equivalent of high school graduating class, or ACT of 28+, or RAI of 299+)
- Demonstrate a commitment to learning and community service, as well as success in the face of adversity
- Pell Grant-eligible as determined by FAFSA
- Maintain full-time enrollment
Qualifying students should complete the FAFSA and UNI Scholarship Application by January 15, 2022, to be considered for the 2022-2023 academic year. Preference is given to students whose parents have not graduated from an accredited four-year college or university. This award is renewable for an additional three years provided students maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA and continuous full-time enrollment.
to present
The first Bright Scholar was awarded at UNI in 2012. Since then, 5 to 14 students have been awarded this scholarship each year.
average
Individual scholarship amounts vary and are equal to UNI's total cost of attendance less all other gift aid.*
graduates
80% of UNI Bright Scholars graduated within four years.
*Gift aid includes Pell Grants, institutional grants and scholarships, and other private scholarships.