Financial Assistance

Merit-Based Financial Assistance

The financial assistance listed below is awarded based on academic merit or talent, not financial need. You may also be eligible for other need-based programs. To be considered for these awards, you must be accepted for admission. Your application for admission serves as the application for all Simpson academic awards. Talent scholarships require an audition or portfolio.

SESQUICENTENNIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

In celebration of Simpson College's 150th year, the Sesquicentennial Scholarship Program includes the most prestigious academic awards offered by the College. (The following four scholarships cannot be combined.)

 

Cowles Fellowship
The Cowles Fellowship is one of the most prestigious academic awards offered by Simpson College. Cowles Fellowships range from $18,000 to full tuition. In addition, Cowles Fellows will receive a travel stipend to be used for international/domestic travel or internship study to enhance the student's educational experience. It is awarded only to full-time students entering their freshman year. Candidates must possess extraordinary academic ability and potential as evidenced by high school performance, including standardized test scores. Leadership skills and participation in high school or community activities will be given strong consideration. The Cowles Fellowship is renewable with a Simpson College cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.

Trustee Scholarship
Awarded to high school seniors ranking first in their graduating classes at the time of application. Trustee Scholarships range from 1/2 to full tuition. This is a competitive scholarship with strong consideration given to the candidate's leadership skills and high school performance, including test scores. The Trustee Scholarship is renewable with a Simpson College cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.

George Washington Carver Fellowship
The Carver Fellowship is named in honor of George Washington Carver, who attended Simpson College. It is one of the most prestigious academic awards offered by Simpson College. The Carver Fellowship ranges from 3/4 to full tuition. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding freshman and transfer students from distinctive and broadly diverse backgrounds, who exhibit potential for leadership, evidence of service and contribution to community and superior academic achievement in secondary school. The Carver Fellowship is renewable with a Simpson College cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.

George Washington Carver Scholarship
The Carver Scholarship is in honor of George Washington Carver who attended Simpson College. Carver Scholarships are awarded to both freshman and transfer students from distinctive and broadly diverse backgrounds, who will help enrich the educational environment and bring multicultural perspectives to the campus community. The Carver Scholarship awards range from $11,000 to $15,000. This scholarship is renewable with a Simpson College cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours a cumulative GPA of 2.25 must be maintained.


SIMPSON COLLEGE ACADEMIC AWARDS

Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is awarded only to full-time students entering their first year (both transfer and new freshman students) at Simpson College. It is awarded to students possessing exceptional academic ability and potential as evidenced by high school/previous college performance and success on the American College Test (ACT) and/or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This scholarship is renewable at Simpson College with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.  Presidential Scholars are awarded up to $18,000.

 

Honor Scholarship
The Honor Scholarship is awarded only to full-time students. It is awarded to students possessing outstanding academic ability as evidenced by high school performance and success on the American College Test (ACT) and/or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Renewal requirement for the Honor Scholarship is a cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.  Honor Scholars are awarded up to $17,000.

Matthew Simpson Scholarship
The Matthew Simpson Scholarship is named in recognition of Bishop Matthew Simpson. Eligible candidates must hold membership in a United Methodist Church, possess strong academic ability and potential as evidenced by their high school/previous college performance and their success on the American College Test (ACT) and/or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The student must demonstrate leadership qualities in both the community and church. The final determination of the amount of the award will be made in relationship to other financial assistance received. This scholarship is available only to new incoming students. Renewal requirement for the Matthew Simpson Scholarship is a cumulative GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.  Matthew Simpson Scholars are awarded $2,000.

Simpson Recognition Scholarship
The Simpson Recognition Scholarship is awarded only to full-time students entering Simpson for the first time. It is awarded to students who demonstrate strong academic ability. In order to qualify for this award, a student must have an ACT composite score of 23 or 24 or a combined SAT score from 1050 to 1130, and the student must rank in the top one-third of his/her high school class. This scholarship is designed to recognize the student with high academic potential who qualifies for no other Simpson gift assistance. Therefore, it will not be awarded in addition to other Simpson financial assistance.  Simpson Recognition Scholars are awarded up to $7,000.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
Simpson College awards renewable scholarships to community college students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society in the range of $8,000 to $12,500. Amounts will be determined based on the applicant pool.  Applicants must be current members seeking full-time enrollment at Simpson College. To be considered for the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, students must be admitted to Simpson College and submit the Phi Theta Kappa scholarship verification form. A minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale is preferred. Phi Theta Kappa members may also be eligible for additional scholarships or grants. The renewal requirement is a cumulative Simpson GPA of 2.50.

Transfer Student Honor Scholarship
Exceptional transfer students who demonstrate high academic achievement and who plan to seek full-time enrollment at Simpson College are eligible for this prestigious award. Applicants must have achieved a minimum 3.3 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, earned an associate in arts degree or 61 transferable semester hours and demonstrate varied leadership experience. Renewal requirement for the Transfer Student Honor Scholarship is a cumulative Simpson GPA of 2.25 up to and including 61 completed hours. Above 61 completed hours a cumulative GPA of 2.50 must be maintained.

Transfer Student Achievement Scholarship
Outstanding transfer students with high academic achievement and significant extracurricular records who have earned an associate in arts degree or 61 transferable semester hours may be eligible for this scholarship. Award amounts vary. To be considered for this scholarship, students must be admitted to Simpson College for full-time enrollment.


TALENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Art Scholarship (portfolio)
Awards in this area are made to full-time students on the basis of outstanding ability in art or design. The submission of a representative portfolio of work is required. A personal interview with the chair person of the art department is highly recommended.

Music Scholarship (audition)
Awards in this area are made to full-time students on the basis of musical ability and academic promise. An audition is required to be a candidate for music scholarships. For further information, contact the department of music.

Theatre Scholarship (audition)
Awards in this area are made to full-time students on the basis of ability and academic promise. An audition or personal interview is required to be a candidate for theatre awards. For further information regarding this award, contact the department of theatre arts.

Fine Arts Scholarship auditions/portfolios must be complete by April 1, 2012.


OTHER SIMPSON COLLEGE AWARDS (NOT BASED ON FINANCIAL NEED)

Great Ape Studies Scholarships
Simpson College and Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary (the original name of Great Ape Trust of Iowa) have established a partnership whereby Simpson College provides $15,000 renewable Great Ape Studies Scholarships each year to first-year students who are interested in the intelligence and conservation of the great apes. In addition, students will be compensated up to $2,000 each year for hours spent participating in research associated with Iowa Primate Learning Sanctuary.  Additional information on this scholarship may be found at www.simpson.edu/financial/gats.html.  To request more information on this program or receive the application for the Great Ape Studies Scholarship, contact the office of admissions at 1-800-362-2454 (locally 961-1624) or email admiss@simpson.edu.  Preference will be given to applications received before February 1.

John C. Culver Fellowships
Each year, five incoming students with a passion for politics, history or public service will be awarded a minimum scholarship of $12, 500. To request more information on this program or receive the application for the John C. Culver Fellowship, contact the office of admissions at 1-800-362-2454 (locally 961-1624) or email admiss@simpson.edu.  Review of applications will begin on February 1, however, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

AFS Scholarship
Simpson College provides two scholarships to enrolling freshmen who have been a part of the AFS Program. These scholarships are based on the student's academic performance and potential. Financial need is not a factor in determining the recipients of these awards. However, the AFS Scholarship will be a part of the student's total financial assistance award. It is the applicant's responsibility to notify the office of financial assistance of eligibility for this scholarship.

Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Scholarship recognizes the dependent student whose mother or father attended Simpson College. An Alumni Scholarship of $1,000 per year will be made available to each dependent of an alumnus. The student must be enrolled full time (12 semester hours or more).

Endowed Scholarship
High school and community college achievements are recognized through the Endowed Scholarship program. These scholarship funds are made possible through the generous financial support of alumni, trustees and friends of Simpson College. When these funds are awarded to a student, an adjustment will be made to the other Simpson College aid previously awarded to the student. Endowed scholarships are not intended to increase the total award package amount.

Multiple Dependency Grant
When two or more dependent students from the same family are enrolled at Simpson College full time during the same term, a multiple dependency grant of $1,000 is available to each student. This grant is not based on financial need.

Simpson Recognition Grant
The Simpson Recognition Grant is awarded to full-time students with above average academic records from high school and with strong leadership qualities, who do not qualify for other merit aid. Financial need is not a factor. Amounts will vary

Tuition Exchange
Tuition exchange is available to the dependent student whose parent is employed by a participating college or university. In order to receive the tuition exchange benefit, the following two items must be done: a) student must file the FAFSA; and b) tuition exchange papers must be filed and approved with Simpson College. Students accepted for the tuition exchange program will not be eligible for any other Simpson-funded gift assistance. The tuition exchange benefit will be reduced by an amount equal to other federal and state gift dollars so that the maximum benefit will never exceed the cost of tuition.

Youth for Understanding Scholarship
Simpson College provides two scholarships to enrolling freshmen who have been a part of the Youth for Understanding Program. These scholarships are based on the student's academic performance and potential. Financial need is not a factor in determining the recipients of these awards. However, the Youth for Understanding Scholarship will be a part of the student's total financial assistance award. It is the applicant's responsibility to notify the office of financial assistance of eligibility for this scholarship.

Last Updated: 11/18/11