Financial Aid Available

Need-Based Grants:

Need-based grants are packaged based upon financial need. To be considered for all need-based grants, a student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. To be considered for Iowa’s state aid, the FAFSA must be completed by the July 1st state application deadline.

Simpson College Grant and Amy Robertson Grant – These grants are based on calculated financial need and are packaged to eligible students upon enrollment. Although you may be eligible for any of these grants, they may not be a part of your financial aid if you have received other gift aid from Simpson College that is being used to fill the need portion of your financial aid package.

Simpson Promise Grant –This grant is based on very high need and is packaged only to first-year students (renewable for 4 years) who are residents of Iowa and deemed eligible. Students are required to live on campus. Need for this grant is based on the family’s adjusted gross income.

Iowa Tuition Grant – The Iowa Tuition Grant is based on financial need with priority given to the neediest applicants. The statutory maximum grant is $7,500 for each year of full-time undergraduate study (12 or more day credits) but is based on state appropriations. The Iowa Tuition Grant is prorated for students attending less than full- time.

Federal Pell Grant – The Federal Pell Grant program is designed to provide financial aid to eligible undergraduates. The Federal Pell Grant program provides grants to full and part-time students and may be used at any eligible college or university you attend for your undergraduate degree. The Pell Grant amount may vary according to the cost of the institution and the number of credits for which you are enrolled. You must be enrolled for 12 credits per semester to receive a full grant. In the 2025-2026 academic year, Federal Pell Grants ranged from $740 to $7,395. These grants are generally available to families with very modest incomes.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) – SEOG grants are given to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need to enable them to attend college. The grants are made by the federal government to Simpson College, which selects needy students who have applied for financial aid. The maximum eligibility for this grant is $4,000 per student per year. Typical annual Federal SEOG grants at Simpson are $500 per year. The SEOG packaging policy is available in the office of financial aid upon request.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship – Effective with the 2024-25 award year, as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act, a student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces on or after September 11, 2001 or actively serving as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year provided the student has not reached their 33^rd birthday as of the 1^st of January of the FAFSA processing year. Students will self-certify on the FAFSA if their parent or guardian was killed in the line of duty.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant OR Additional Federal Pell Grant Funds – Effective with the 2024-25 award year, as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act, a student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces on or after September 11, 2001 or actively serving as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year provided the student has not reached their 33^rd birthday as of the 1^st of January of the FAFSA processing year. Students will self-certify on the FAFSA if their parent or guardian was killed in the line of duty.

Non-Need-Based Grants and Scholarships

Academic Merit Scholarships*

All Simpson scholarships are merit-based, regardless of need. They are based on your 7th-semester high school cumulative GPA or your transfer GPA if you are a transfer student. These are the amounts effective for new students entering in the fall of 2026.

*Academic merit scholarships may not be combined with one another.

Special Interest Scholarships

Special interest scholarships require an application, portfolio, or audition. Two scholarships can be packaged in addition to academic scholarships for a combined total of $3,000.

Graphic Design Scholarship – Awards are made to full-time students planning to pursue a major or minor in graphic design, based on their outstanding ability in art and design. A representative portfolio of work and a personal statement are required. Scholarships are packaged up to $2,500 annually.

Theater Scholarship – Scholarships in this area are made to full-time students on the basis of ability and academic promise. An interview is required to be a candidate for theatre scholarships. Priority deadline is February 15, 2026. Eligible students will be awarded up to $2,500 annually.

Music Scholarship – 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 up to $2,500 annually. Music activity scholarships are also available and range from $500 – $2,500 annually.

Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial Scholarship – 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 experiences. Priority deadline is February 15, 2026. Scholarships will range from $500 – $2,500 annually.

Wesley Servies Scholarship – The Wesley Service Scholarship (WSS) program is for students who choose to take advantage of community service opportunities to explore their vocation or life’s calling. The WSS program honors John Wesley’s commitment to the links between spirituality and service. 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, 2026.

John C. Culver Fellowship – Each year, a select group of new, incoming full-time first-year students with a passion for politics and public service will be awarded a renewable annual scholarship of up to $2,500 — in addition to all other merit and need-based financial aid awarded by Simpson College. Public service may include contributions made through volunteer work, elected office, government service, and civic engagement. In addition to the scholarship, Culver Fellows are the student leaders of the John C. Culver Public Policy Center who are involved in all aspects of the center’s work on campus and in the broader community. Priority consideration will be given to candidates for this scholarship who submit the Simpson College application for admission and supporting materials by February 15, 2026.

Cowles Fellowship

The Cowles Fellowship is one of the most prestigious academic awards offered by Simpson College, awarding $1,000 to $3,000 on top of the academic merit-based scholarship. In addition, Cowles Fellows will receive a $3,000 stipend 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. There is no application for the Cowles Fellowship.

Legacy Scholarships

Alumni Scholarship – 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.

Multiple Dependency Scholarship – 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.

Renewal of Academic and Talent Scholarships

A student must apply annually for the renewal of all federal or state aid by filing the FAFSA. The renewal of an academic scholarship at Simpson is based on a student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. This requires a student to maintain the following GPA at the following intervals:

Outside Non-Need-Based Aid:

Federal TEACH Grant Program – The Teacher Education Aid for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year (prorated for part-time students) to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families in designated shortage teaching areas. The Grant becomes a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accruing back to the date of initial disbursement if the student fails to meet the forgiveness requirements. To be eligible, students must maintain a minimum 3.25 college cumulative grade point average or meet certain ACT benchmarks. Forgiveness requirements are somewhat extensive and should be reviewed at the time of signing the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.

Veterans Benefits – The Veterans Administration administers programs for veterans and service people seeking aid for education and training. If you are a veteran or dependent of a veteran and will be receiving education benefits as determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs, contact the office of the registrar well in advance of enrollment to request certification. If you served on Active Duty, you might be eligible for education benefits offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, commonly known as Chapter 33, provides financial support for educational and housing expenses to individuals with at least 90 days of aggressive service after September 10, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill®. If you are currently serving in the military, you may be eligible for funding offered through the Department of Defense Tuition Aid program. Check your eligibility status and the amount for which you qualify with your service prior to enrolling. If you are the spouse or child of a service member who is serving on active duty Title 10 orders in the pay grades of E1-E5, O1-O2, or W1-W2, you may be eligible for financial aid from the Department of Defense for education training and/or the occupational license and credentials necessary for a portable career. If you are the spouse or child of a service member, you may be eligible for transfer of the service member’s Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to you. You may view your College Financing Plan on your student portal, SC Connect, under financial aid self-service.

Yellow Ribbon Program – The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Aid Act of 2008. The program is designed to supplement the Post 9/11 tuition benefit, which is limited to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition. Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Simpson College entered into an agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to jointly pay the portion of an eligible veteran’s tuition and fees that exceed the maximum amount otherwise provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. Veterans are encouraged to visit the VA’s webpage at www.va.gov to determine their eligibility.

Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits – The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Iowa Department of Public Instruction, or a similar division in other states, makes aid available to physically and mentally challenged students who are residents of the state. More information is available from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, 200 Army Post Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50319, 515-281-4211 or the student’s home state office.

*GI BILL® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE U.S DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)

Outside/Direct Scholarships – An outside or direct scholarship is one awarded by an independent grantor, such as a civic organization or foundation. These scholarships are considered a part of the student’s financial aid package and must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid. Scholarships and grants administered and regulated by the State of Iowa and the federal government are not considered direct scholarships. If the student’s financial aid is based on financial need and contains federal and/or state funds, the college cannot exceed the student’s demonstrated financial need. If the student’s financial need is not fully met, the scholarship funds will be added to the student’s financial aid package. If the student’s need has been met in full, reductions will be made first in the Federal Direct Student Loan. If the financial aid package does not include a Federal Direct Loan but does include federal or state funds, and the student’s need has been met in full, the outside scholarship will cause a reduction in the other federal, state, or institutional funds. A student receiving Simpson-funded aid not based on financial need will receive the direct scholarship in addition to any financial aid offered by the college, provided the total financial aid packaged does not exceed the cost of attendance at Simpson College for the academic year during which the financial aid applies. It is the responsibility of the student receiving the direct scholarship to notify the office of financial aid of all the details pertaining to the scholarship. At that time, any appropriate adjustments will be made to the student’s financial aid. No student may receive financial aid in excess of the budgeted cost of attendance at Simpson College.

Updated 03/2026