Scholarships

Grants & Awards

At BVU, we demonstrate our belief in our students by providing the quality and benefits of a private college education at a reasonable and affordable cost. We do that by funding institutional scholarships, awards and grants that recognize the unique contribution each student brings to BVU. To determine your individual award amount, please visit our Scholarship/Grant calculator.

Freshmen BVU Scholarships, Grants & Awards
Transfer BVU Scholarships, Grants & Awards
Federal Grants
Iowa Grants

List of Outside Scholarships
Outside Scholarship Search Programs

Freshmen BVU Scholarships, Grants & Awards-2012-13

Academic Merit Awards

Trustee Scholarships, amounting to full tuition, will be awarded to up to five freshmen each year. Applicants for this scholarship must meet two of the following criteria: 3.85 CGPA, 29 ACT or a high school class rank in the top 5 percent. Recipients will be selected through competition. Recipients must enroll full-time and may renew a Trustee Scholarship by maintaining a 3.25 CGPA and full-time status. Financial need is not required, but FAFSA completion is encouraged.

If a Trustee Scholarship recipient is eligible for State of Iowa grant funds, the amount available will be subtracted from the Trustee Scholarship. The total of all gift aid will never be less than the BVU tuition charge. However, an individual's financial need and direct charges may limit total gift aid (including outside scholarships) received.

Multicultural Scholarships, amounting to full tuition and a stipend for double occupancy room and board will be awarded through competition to up to four students of diverse populations each year. Recipients will have a strong academic and leadership background.

Recipients will be eligible to renew a Multicultural Scholarship by maintaining a 2.5 CGPA, full-time status, and meeting other criteria established and disclosed through the selection process. FAFSA filing is encouraged.

Any federal or state gift funds a Multicultural Scholarship recipient receives will be subtracted from the Multicultural Scholarship. The total of all gift aid will be limited to direct costs.

President's Scholarships range from $10,500 to $17,500 per year and are awarded based on academic engagement in high school, ACT score and residency status. This scholarship is renewable for four years with a BVU CGPA of 2.5.

Merit Awards range from $5,000 to $15,000 per year and are awarded based on academic engagement in high school, ACT score and residency status. This award is renewable for four years with a BVU CGPA of 2.5.

Challenge Grants of up to $7,000 per year offer a one-time opportunity to increase the grant by up to $2,000 as a result of earning and maintaining a BVU CGPA of 2.2.

Eligible students may receive only one of the above scholarships, awards or grants per year and are able to renew the amount offered based on the renewal requirements indicated. The number of scholarships, awards and grants available is not limited and financial need is not required.

Recognition Awards

Honors Program recipients receive a $2,000 travel stipend, priority class registration and research and conference funding. The Honors Program is available to entering freshmen who meet two of the following conditions: 3.75 CGPA, 28 ACT or a high school class rank in the top 10 percent.

The Dean's Fellowship Program is available to entering freshmen who meet two of the following conditions: 3.5 CGPA, 26 ACT or a high school class rank in the top 10 percent. Dean's Fellowship Program recipients receive a $2,000 travel stipend, $200 in academic enrichment funds and recognition at graduation.

Fine Arts Awards worth up to $3,000 are available to students interested in vocal music, instrumental music, theatre, digital art and art. Performing arts awards will be based on an audition. Art and digital art awards will be based on a portfolio of work.

Other Scholarships and Grants

Founder's Awards of up to $3,000 are available to new students beginning in 2012-13. Eligible recipients must have a 2.75 GPA, visit campus, participate in an interview with an admissions counselor and complete an essay.

Buena Vista Grants are issued to some full-time students. Financial need and the total of other BVU gift aid awarded will determine if a grant is made. Students must continue to make satisfactory academic progress to renew the grant. The number of available grants is limited.

Transfer Scholarships, Grants & Awards-2012-13

A student is considered a transfer student after they have graduated from high school or completed their GED and have completed on semester at a community college or four-year college/university as a full-time students (12 hours or more).

Academic Merit Awards

President's Scholarships range from $9,500 to $15,000 per year and are awarded based on a student's cumulative college grade point average and residency status. This scholarship is renewable for four years with a BVU CPGA of 2.5.

Merit Awards will be $9,000 or $13,000 per year and are awarded based on a student's cumulative college grade point average and residency status. This award is renewable for four years with a BVU CGPA of 2.5.

Heritage Grants will be $5,000 or $9,000 per year and are awarded based on a student's cumulative college grade point average and residency status. This grant is renewable for four years with a BVU CGPA of 2.5.

Eligible students may receive only one of the above scholarships, awards or grants per year and are able to renew the amount offered based on the renewal requirements indicated. The number of transfer scholarships/awards available is not limited. Financial need is not required.

Recognition Awards

Honors Program recipients receive a $2,000 travel stipend, priority class registration and research and conference funding. The program is available to incoming transfer students with a CGPA of 3.5.

Fine Arts Awards worth up to $3,000 are available to students interested in vocal music, instrumental music, theatre, digital art and art. Performing arts awards will be based on an audition. Art and digital art awards will be based on a portfolio of work.

Other Scholarships and Grants

Founder's Awards of up to $3,000 are available to new students beginning in 2012-13. Eligible recipients must have a 2.75 GPA, visit campus, participate in an interview with an admissions counselor and complete an essay.

Buena Vista Grants are issued to some full-time students. Financial need and the total of other BVU gift aid awarded will determine if a grant is made. Students must continue to make satisfactory academic progress to renew the grant. The number of available grants is limited.

Federal Grants

Pell Grant - are expected to range from $602 to $5,550 for 2012-13 for eligible students for a full-year, full-time award. Individual awards are determined based on federal formula. Payment is calculated for full-time enrollment (12 or more hours per semester), 3/4 time enrollment (9-11 hours per semester), or half-time enrollment (6-8 hours per semester). Students enrolled less than half-time may also be eligible. To be considered for a Federal Pell Grant, the results of your valid application must reach us while you are still enrolled.

Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are available to students who show exceptional financial need and, normally, who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. These grants are partially federally funded, but awarding is controlled by the University. Because funding is limited, priority is given to students who complete the FAFSA by June 1 and list Buena Vista University on the application.

Robert C. Byrd Scholarship - Robert C. Byrd Scholarships of up to $1,500 are made available by the federal government in the form of grants provided to the state. Students can apply for this scholarship through the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. Evidence of financial need is not a requirement.

TEACH Grant  The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grant funds for graduate and undergraduate students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families .  The grant reverts to an Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan if the conditions mentioned are not met within eight years of graduation.   To receive a TEACH Grant, students must:

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the yearly deadline, although financial need is not required.
  • Meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid.
  • Meet one of the following academic achievement requirements
    • Score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (e.g. SAT, ACT, GRE, or
    • Graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) to receive a grant as a freshman, or
    • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) on college course work to receive a grant for each subsequent term.
  • Students enrolled in the post-baccalaureate education program are not eligible

Iowa Grants

Iowa Tuition Grant - are available, based on financial need, for fulltime undergraduate study and for less than full-time enrollment. The full-time award is currently $3,500. The grant may be renewable for a total of eight full-time semesters of study.

Iowa Grants - of up to $1,000 a year are funded by the State of Iowa and awarded by Buena Vista University to Iowa residents. Awards will be made on a need basis, as funds are limited. The award may be renewable.

Iowa National Guard Educational Grants are available to Iowa residents who are members of an Iowa Army or Air National Guard unit while enrolled in higher education. The individual award amount will not exceed the average tuition rate for full-time students at Iowa Regents Universities.

 Other gift aid programs, such has the Iowa Education & Training Voucher Grant, All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant and the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, are available from the State of Iowa in limited amounts. These funds currently help Iowa students who have been in foster care, TRIO programs, alternative high schools or are homeless.

These gift sources are available to Iowa residents.  If any of these resources are listed on your Financial Aid Award, they should not be viewed as official awards until your eligibility has been approved by the Iowa College Aid Commission.  In the event that available state funds are insufficient to pay the full amount of each approved grant, the Iowa College Aid Commission has the authority to administratively reduce the maximum award to an amount less than the statutory maximum.

Students from states other than Iowa should check with the proper agency in their state to receive information on availability of state-sponsored scholarships or grants.