Central Iowa private colleges expand full-tuition scholarships for Iowa students – weareiowa.com
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IOWA, USA — Two private colleges in central Iowa are expanding full-tuition scholarships for qualifying Iowa high school students.
Drake University in Des Moines and Simpson College in Indianola each announced expansions of scholarship programs, both of which welcomed their first classes of scholarship-receiving students this fall.
Drake’s Bulldog Promise program is adjusting the minimum high school GPA needed from 3.8 to 3.5 for students entering in fall of 2026 and beyond.
First-time students who meet the GPA requirement, Iowa residency requirements and are eligible for a federal Pell Grant can apply for the program which covers 100% of tuition for four years.
Federal Pell Grants are usually awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need, according to the Department of Education.
In its first year, 60 enrolled students for fall 2025 qualified for the Bulldog Promise.
“These programs were designed to reduce financial barriers and ensure that some of our state’s best and brightest have a clear path to a world-class education,” Drake President Marty Martin said in a release. “By expanding eligibility for Bulldog Promise, we are confident even more students will join our community and go on to be community and industry leaders.”
Drake’s two-year Associate’s degree program through the John Dee Bright College also offers full tuition coverage.
Simpson is expanding its High School Promise program for 2026 to include students in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids public school districts. Students in the Indianola and Des Moines Public School systems could previously qualify for the program.
Qualifying students must be enrolled in their district for the entirety of their senior year, have a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher through seventh semester of high school, be federal aid eligible, reside on Simpson’s campus and participate in a dining plan and enroll as a first-time student (first-year or transfer).
“Ensuring access to a Simpson education remains at the heart of our mission,” said Sue Stuebner, interim president of Simpson College. “This program benefits our students, our communities and Simpson College.”
The High School Promise is one of Simpson’s three All-In for Iowa programs, which offer full-tuition scholarships to qualifying Iowa students. Students from Iowa who don’t qualify for the High School Promise program may qualify for a full-tuition scholarship through the other two programs.
