Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship

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Senior Scholarship

Twenty-Five $2,000 Scholarships

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship awards a $2,000 college scholarship to 25 Iowa high school students each year. All participants experience two online tools to help them understand ways to reduce borrowing to pay for college and receive emailed tips on planning and paying for college.

Real Students, Real Stories

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship was helpful for me because it allowed me to specifically and comprehensively look into my financial future while also earning money to offset the cost of my continued education.

Elizabeth Q., Mount Vernon, Award Recipient

Read more about recent recipients.

Elizabeth Q., Mount Vernon, Award Recipient

What You Need to Know

Who is eligible?

There are no financial need, minimum grade point average or class rank requirements for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship.

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship is open to students who are:

  • Legal U.S. residents.
  • High school seniors at an Iowa high school.
  • Planning to attend an eligible college the fall following the registration dates.

Read complete rules

Award recipient Award recipient

How can I qualify?

High school seniors must register online. (A Register Now link is available above while the registration period is open each year.) Registered students will receive an email containing instructions and links to the required elements.

To qualify, students will be required to:

  • Complete two online tools that provide tips and information about paying for college.
  • After completing the two tools, complete a related assessment that tests understanding of the concepts presented in the online tools.

Read complete rules

How long will it take to complete the required steps?

While the exact amount of time will depend on several factors, including how much you would like to explore the available options in the two online tools, plan for about one hour to complete all three required components to qualify. Students must submit all three required components in advance of the deadline.

Can I use the Senior Scholarship to attend college outside of Iowa?

Yes; the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship can be used at any eligible institution, including those in other states.

Can I use the Senior Scholarship to pay for expenses at a community college?

Yes; you may use the Senior Scholarship for community college expenses.

What if I will not attend college full time in the fall following my high school graduation?

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship may be used even if you are not considered a full-time student. However, the award will be paid directly to your college the following fall, so your college must consider you an enrolled student for that term.

Why do I receive emails from ISL Education Lending?

All high school seniors who register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship automatically receive a series of emails containing tips on planning for and paying for college. In addition the tips emails, registered participants may receive reminders to complete required steps and notifications about earning a college scholarship. These emails are only sent during and following the registration period.

Participants who opted to receive additional information from ISL Education Lending may receive additional emails. If you did not opt in for additional information, you can sign up now.

What if I opt out of or block emails from ISL Education Lending?

If you opt out of or block emails from ISL Education Lending, you will not receive important emails about the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship. These may include notifications about your potential status as a scholarship recipient and the required steps to claim an award.

How do I know if I am receiving a scholarship?

If you have earned a college scholarship, you will be notified by email at the email address you used when registering for the Senior Scholarship. Please be sure to check your email frequently and follow any instructions for completing required steps or for responding.

When are scholarship recipients announced?

Recipients of the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship will be announced approximately six to eight weeks after the registration period ends.