First-Year Scholarships

Generous scholarships for every Simpson Student

See how you can qualify for up to $36,000 — or more — in scholarships to greatly reduce the out-of-pocket cost of your education.

Rewarding Your Academic Achievement

Once accepted, you are automatically considered for all merit scholarships based on your academic and personal success.

The chart below shows the minimum scholarship awards for incoming first-year students in Fall 2025.

Scholarships Cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale)  2025-2026 Scholarship Amount
Founder’s Scholarship 3.75+ $36,000
Presidential Scholarship 3.50-3.74 $34,000
Dean’s Scholarship 3.25-3.49 $32,000
Simpson/Endowed Scholarship Below 3.25 $30,000

*Cumulative GPA Based on a 4.0 Scale

Special Interest and Talent Scholarships

You will bring many unique gifts and passions to Simpson that might also qualify you for other generous scholarships requiring an application, portfolio or audition. One of the scholarships listed below can be awarded in addition to your academic merit scholarships — unless you are the recipient of a full-tuition award.

The Wesley Service Scholarship (WSS) program is for students who choose to take advantage of community service opportunities as a way to explore their vocation or life’s calling. The WSS program honors John Wesley’s commitment to the links between spirituality and service. In his words, “True faith cannot be hidden but will break out and show itself by good works.” The WSS program hopes to motivate students to become engaged in their communities while in college and through that engagement, help them to understand where their passions and gifts intersect with the world’s needs. Any student accepted to Simpson or in good standing as an enrolled student is eligible to apply.

Each Wesley Service Scholar will receive a stipend of $1,000 for the academic year ($500 per semester), credited to the student’s account at the conclusion of each semester after completion of the scholarship requirements. Priority deadline is February 15, 2025. Apply now online.

The Simpson College Speech and Debate Scholarship is awarded based on high school speech, debate and mock trial experience. Consideration can also be given for other public speaking experience. Priority deadline is February 15, 2025. Scholarships will range from $500 – $2,500 annually. Apply now online.

The Simpson College Esports Scholarship is based on high school Esports experience. Scholarships will range from $500 – $2,500 annually. For more information, contact Hubert Whan Tong, director of Esports. Priority deadline is February 15, 2025.

Scholarships are made to full-time students on the basis of musical ability and academic promise. An audition is required. Scholarships are offered to vocal, instrumental and keyboard musicians interested in either activity or music major participation. Music major scholarships are packaged in the amount of $2,500 annually. Music activity scholarships are also available and range from $500 – $1000 annually.
Apply now online. 
For further information, contact Jenny CresswellVisiting Assistant Professor of Music.

Scholarships in this area are made to full-time students on the basis of ability and academic promise. An audition or personal interview is required to be a candidate for theatre scholarships. Students who are eligible will be awarded $2,500 annually. Apply now online.
For further information regarding this award, contact Ann Woldt, Department of Theatre Educational Outreach Coordinator.

Scholarships in this area are made to full-time students on the basis of ability and academic promise. This $4,000 annual scholarship is for students who are pursuing a career in music and theater by either double-majority or combining a major and minor in the areas of both music and theater. An audition is required. Apply now online.
For further information, please contact Ann Woldt, Department of Theater Educational Outreach Coordinator.

Awards are made to full-time students planning to pursue a major or minor in graphic design and on the basis of their outstanding ability in art and design. The submission of a representative portfolio of work and personal statement is required. Scholarships are packaged in the amount of $2,500 annually. For further information, contact Justin Nostrala, Department of Graphic Design Chair.

Torres getting diploma

All-In for Iowa

We have a steadfast commitment to making a Simpson education accessible to families of all means. We now offer three full-tuition scholarship programs: Simpson $100K Promise, 99 County Full-Tuition Program, and Full-Tuition Offer for Des Moines, Indianola Students.

Cowles Fellowship

Student working in Iowa statehouse

Cowles Fellowship is one of the most prestigious academic awards offered by Simpson College ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 on top of the academic merit-based scholarship. In addition, Cowles Fellows will receive a travel stipend to be used for international/domestic travel or internship study to enhance the student’s educational experience.

Only awarded  to full-time students entering their freshman year, candidates must possess extraordinary academic ability and potential as evidenced by high school performance, including standardized test scores. Leadership skills and participation in high school or community activities will be given strong consideration. No additional application needed.

Learn more about this program.

Legacy Awards

If at least one of your parents is a Simpson alumnus or you have one or more siblings attending Simpson, you will receive a special scholarship as described below.

The Alumni Scholarship recognizes the dependent student whose parent or grandparent(s) attended Simpson College. An Alumni Scholarship of $1,000 per year will be made available to each dependent of an alumnus. The student must be enrolled full time (12 semester hours or more).

When two or more dependent students from the same family are enrolled at Simpson College full time during the same term, a multiple dependency grant of $1,000 is available to each student. This grant is not based on financial need.

Tuition exchange is available to the dependent student whose parent is employed by a participating college or university. In order to receive the tuition exchange benefit, the following two items must be done: a) student must file the FAFSA; and b) tuition exchange papers must be filed and approved with Simpson College. Students accepted for the tuition exchange program will not be eligible for any other Simpson-funded gift assistance. The tuition exchange benefit will be reduced by an amount equal to other federal and state gift dollars so that the maximum benefit will never exceed the cost of tuition.

More on our programs

Hot air balloon over College Hall
students in the esports arena

Simpson eSports competes in five popular titles and opened a state-of-the-art arena in 2020.

Esports

Contact the Office of Admissions