Dubuque Iowa Scholarships for High School Students and Graduating Seniors

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Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but scholarships in Dubuque, Iowa open doors for local high school students. These awards reduce tuition costs and provide vital financial relief.

From community foundations to colleges like Loras and the University of Dubuque, students can access merit-based, need-based, and career-specific scholarships. Nursing, STEM, and local community programs all offer unique funding paths.

This guide highlights the fully funded Dubuque scholarships, including eligibility, deadlines, and application tips. With the right strategy, students can secure thousands of dollars to pursue higher education confidently.

Available Programs in Dubuque, Iowa

Scholarships are available through four distinct categories. Each category contains specific scholarship programs.

**1. College & University Scholarships * Loras College:**

University of Dubuque: The university provides the Dubuque Area Partnership Award. This award is for students graduating from a high school in Dubuque County. There are also specific awards like the Heritage Society Scholarship ($15,000) and Dean’s Merit Scholarship ($8,000).

2. Local & Community Foundation Scholarships

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque: The Foundation administers 35 scholarships through its endowment funds for Jackson County alone. It manages numerous other scholarships for the greater Dubuque area. Examples include the Meyer Family Positive Outcomes Fund and the Stephen Bonfig Memorial Scholarship.
Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools: This organization manages at least five non-endowed scholarships. The scholarships are for students attending Dubuque Senior High School, Hempstead High School, and Central Alternative High School. The Arthur J Miller scholarship is one such award.
Dupaco Community Credit Union: Dupaco offers 20 renewable scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. 10 scholarships are for students attending a four-year university. The other 10 are for students attending a community college or trade school.

3. Healthcare & Nursing Scholarships

Finley Health Foundation: This foundation provides nine specific scholarships for students pursuing nursing careers. For example, the Edith Kritz Scholarship and the Ellen and Fred Phelps Nursing Scholarship. In 2024, the foundation awarded $26,250 to nursing students.

4. State & Technical Scholarships

Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship: This is a state-funded program. It is part of the Future Ready Iowa initiative. It covers remaining tuition for students in high-demand technical programs. This program is for Iowa residents.

Scholarship Coverage

1. Stipend

Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship: This scholarship is not a fixed stipend. It covers the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other federal and state grants (like the Pell Grant) have been applied. The amount varies per student.
Loras Promise: This program is not a fixed stipend either. It provides tuition-free education to eligible Iowa residents. The exact value depends on the cost of tuition for that academic year.
Dupaco Community Credit Union Scholarship: This scholarship provides a fixed stipend. High school seniors who attend a four-year college receive a total of $4,000, distributed as $1,000 per year for four years.
Finley Health Foundation: Awards are not a fixed stipend. They offer multiple awards ranging from $250 to $1,000. The amount depends on the specific scholarship and the number of recipients.

2. Programs & Levels of Study

Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship: This scholarship is for students enrolled in high-demand career programs. It specifically covers post-secondary certificates, diplomas, or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. It does not cover bachelor’s degrees.
Loras Promise: This scholarship is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree at Loras College. It covers all programs offered at the college.
Dupaco Community Credit Union Scholarship: The Dupaco scholarship has two programs: one for students attending a four-year college or university for an undergraduate degree and another for those attending a community college, trade school, or technical college for a degree or certificate.
Finley Health Foundation: These awards are specifically for students pursuing a nursing degree. They support students in ADN, BSN, or MSN programs.

3. Location

Loras Promise: This scholarship is specifically for students attending Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. It is exclusively for Iowa residents.
Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship: This is a state-funded program. It is for Iowa residents attending eligible community colleges in Iowa.
Dupaco Community Credit Union Scholarship: The Dupaco scholarship is primarily for members of the credit union, which has a strong presence in the Dubuque area. Recipients can attend an accredited college anywhere in the United States.
Finley Health Foundation: These awards support students from the Dubuque area who are pursuing nursing degrees. They are often for students attending schools in or near Dubuque.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria for Dubuque Iowa scholarship high school. You must meet the specific four requirements.

Academic: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA. For instance, Loras College’s merit awards are based on high school GPA. The St. Joseph Scholarship requires a 4.0+ GPA. The St. Bernard Scholarship requires a 3.80-3.99 GPA.
Financial Need: Some awards are based on financial need. The Dupaco scholarship requires you to provide your FAFSA SAI number. The Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship has a Student Aid Index (SAI) cap of $20,000.
Major/Career: Specific scholarships target certain majors. The Finley Health Foundation awards scholarships to nursing students. The DuSTEM Scholars program at Loras College is for students in STEM fields.
Residency/Affiliation: Many local scholarships require you to be a Dubuque resident or attend a specific high school. You may also need to be a member of an organization. Dupaco scholarships require you to be a credit union member.

Application Process

The application process requires careful planning. You must stay organized.

Application: Most applications are completed online. For example, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque uses an online system. The Dupaco Scholarship has an online application portal.
Required Documents: Applicants must submit several documents. This includes high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Some scholarships require a specific essay. Dupaco asks for an essay on significant personal success. You must submit all materials requested.

Deadlines

There isn’t one single deadline for high school scholarships in Dubuque, Iowa, as each scholarship has its own specific deadline, such as the March 31, 2025 deadline for the Asbury Eagles Club scholarship and the February 21, 2026 deadline for the Stephen Bonfig Memorial Scholarship. To find the most relevant deadlines, high school seniors should research specific scholarships from local organizations like the DuTrac Community Credit Union and the Dubuque County Right to Life.

Examples of Deadlines in Dubuque (for previous years, check for current year):