Iowa State University International Merit Scholarship

The Iowa State University International Merit Scholarship is offered by Iowa State University Admissions for international undergraduate applicants in the United States. It supports Bachelor's study through competitive merit awards for both first-year and transfer students. The program is designed to reduce tuition cost through annual awards, with continuation based on GPA, enrollment, and international student status under official renewal rules.

USABachelorsPartially FundedDeadline: May 1, 2026 (Fall first-year final deadline); June 30, 2026 (Fall transfer final deadline)

Official source: Iowa State University Admissions • Last updated:

Eligibility

Study location
USA
Academic background
Must meet admission/academic requirements for Bachelors study (check official source)
Admission required
Many providers require admission or a valid offer before funding decisions (confirm official source)
Minimum GPA/grades
Merit threshold is provider/program-dependent (confirm official source)
Work experience
Requirement varies by scholarship type and provider
Field of study
Program-dependent; applicants must match eligible disciplines listed by the provider
Residency requirement
May apply for country-targeted or region-targeted schemes
Document language/translations
Certified translations/legalization may be required for non-native-language documents
Current enrollment status
Depends on call rules (new-admit vs currently-enrolled categories may differ)
Language requirements
Set by the host institution/program; accepted tests or exemptions vary by provider
Eligible nationalities
International students
Degree level
Undergraduate/Bachelor's applicants (first-year or transfer)
Admission requirement
Must be offered admission to Iowa State University as an international first-year or transfer student
Tuition status
Must be assessed international tuition rates
Offer acceptance
Must accept admission offer by May 1 (fall) or December 15 (spring)
Transfer GPA rule
Transfer applicants need cumulative GPA equivalent to 3.0/4.0 (B average)
Application requirement
Must submit the OneApp General Application plus the International Student Admissions Scholarship Application for the entry term

Benefits

Tuition
Listed as partial (confirm coverage on official source)
Stipend
Varies by provider/call; check official source for amount and payment terms
Accommodation
Provider-dependent; may be included, subsidized, or unavailable by scheme
Travel
Provider-dependent; some schemes include one-time travel support
Health insurance
Coverage depends on scholarship conditions and host-country rules
Other benefits
Additional support may include research, books, or orientation allowances (scheme-dependent)
Visa/residence support
Some schemes provide limited support; verify visa-fee or permit support on official source
Application fee
Fee policy is portal/provider-specific; confirm before submission
First-year Award of Achievement
USD 5,000-10,000 per year (up to USD 40,000 total)
First-year Award of Distinction
USD 2,000-4,000 per year (up to USD 16,000 total)
Transfer Award of Achievement
USD 5,000-8,000 per year (up to USD 20,000 total)
Transfer Award of Distinction
USD 2,000-4,000 per year (up to USD 10,000 total)
Coverage scope
Applied toward undergraduate tuition and fees under official scholarship rules

Application process

  1. Apply for undergraduate admission to Iowa State University as an international first-year or transfer student
  2. Accept admission offer by the official term deadline (May 1 for fall or December 15 for spring)
  3. Log in to OneApp and complete the General Application
  4. In OneApp, go to Opportunities > Recommended and select International Student Admissions Scholarship Application for your term
  5. Submit before the relevant scholarship deadline (first-year or transfer timeline)
  6. Wait for merit review and official scholarship decision from Iowa State University
  7. Account/nomination: Create an account or complete nomination/referral steps where the provider requires it.
  8. Documents: Prepare and upload the required documents listed by the provider (transcripts, ID, letters, etc.). Provide certified translations if required.

Required documents

  • Passport/ID as required for international admission
  • Academic transcripts (high school for first-year, prior college records for transfer)
  • Test scores (SAT/ACT if submitted for profile review)
  • Admission-related records requested by Iowa State University
  • Any additional materials requested in OneApp scholarship workflow
  • Degree certificates / diplomas (if applicable)
  • CV/Resume
  • Motivation letter / statement of purpose
  • Recommendation letters (if required)
  • Language test score (IELTS/TOEFL) if required
  • Certified translations (if required)
  • Portfolio / research proposal (if required)
  • Medical / health certificate (if required)
  • Any additional forms requested by the provider

Good to know

  • Selection is competitive and based on academic profile plus accomplishments under a holistic review process.
  • Renewal requires minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, at least 12 credits per semester (excluding summer), and continued international student classification.
  • Use the official scholarship page to confirm latest deadlines and term-specific requirements before submission.

FAQ

Is this scholarship fully funded?

No. It is a partial merit scholarship with fixed annual award ranges that reduce undergraduate tuition and fee costs.

Can transfer students apply?

Yes. Iowa State lists a separate international transfer scholarship track with its own award ranges and deadlines.

What is the current Fall 2026 final deadline?

For first-year applicants it is May 1, 2026, and for transfer applicants it is June 30, 2026.

Where is the scholarship application submitted?

Through Iowa State's OneApp portal after admission, by completing the General Application and the International Student Admissions Scholarship Application.

Related scholarships

View all

Karsh International Scholarship at Duke University

Duke University's Karsh International Scholars Program supports selected international first-year undergraduate students with comprehensive funding.

USABachelorsFully FundedDeadline: November 3, 2026 (Early Decision) or January 5, 2027 (Regular Decision); aid deadlines: November 3, 2026 (ED) and February 1, 2027 (RD)

Official source: Duke University Office of University Scholars and Fellows • Updated:

DetailsApply

Khalifa University Scholarship

Khalifa University offers tier-based undergraduate scholarship support in the UAE for eligible local and international applicants, with benefits that can include tuition coverage, textbooks, and selected student support services.

United Arab EmiratesBachelorsPartially FundedDeadline: March 2, 2026 (Fall 2026 intake)

Official source: Khalifa University Undergraduate Admissions and Scholarship FAQs • Updated:

DetailsApply

University of Insubria Scholarship

University of Insubria offers right-to-study and scholarship support pathways for bachelor's applicants in Italy, with benefits that can include fee relief and regional financial aid depending on eligibility.

ItalyBachelorsPartially FundedDeadline: May-June (varies by call each year; confirm official source)

Official source: University of Insubria - Right to Study and Student Support • Updated:

DetailsApply

Ready to apply?

Applications are completed on the official provider website. Be cautious with third-party sites and always verify scholarship details at the source.

Go to official application page →