Guardian Scholars Foundation Scholarship for Iowa Foster Youth
Offered by Guardian Scholars Foundation
About this scholarship
The Guardian Scholars Foundation Scholarship supports students who experienced foster care or a court-appointed alternative in Iowa during ages 14 through 18. The Foundation contributes up to $8,000 per year and works with Iowa colleges plus federal and state aid programs to build a package intended to reduce the cost of tuition, room, board, and textbooks. At partner institutions, the college may add aid beyond its earlier offer; the exact package depends on the student’s other assistance and cost of attendance. Applicants must have earned a high-school diploma or associate degree and finished high school with at least a 2.3 GPA. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree are the primary audience, although community-college students with a strong two-year transfer plan may be considered. The downloadable application packet requires the front and back of the form, a short essay, two recommendation letters, and the separate release and consent form. A complete packet may be scanned and emailed to the Foundation director or mailed to the address on the official page by March 1. Each scholar is paired with a community companion for practical and emotional support, with at least monthly contact expected.
Eligibility
- Have spent time in foster care or a court-appointed alternative in Iowa between ages 14 and 18
- Have earned a high-school diploma or an associate degree
- Have completed high school with at least a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree or present a strong community-college-to-bachelor’s transfer plan
- Complete both sides of the official application and the separate release and consent form
- Submit the required short essay and two recommendation letters
- Email or mail the complete application package by March 1
- Participate in the Foundation’s community-companion relationship with at least monthly contact if selected