Simpson Offers Full-Tuition Scholarships to Des Moines, Indianola Students

Simpson College is partnering with Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) and the Indianola Community School District (ICSD) to provide full-tuition scholarships for high-achieving students. Graduates who attended one of those school systems for at least their senior year and compiled a high school or college GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for a full-tuition scholarship, as first-time Simpson students in Fall 2025.

“We are thrilled to offer full-tuition scholarships for outstanding students in Indianola and Des Moines,” said Jay Byers, president of Simpson College. “Our community is blessed to have such strong public schools, and we are proud to partner with them in providing exceptional educational opportunities. Simpson’s full-tuition offer is an attractive enticement for ensuring that more students stay close to home for their education and careers. That’s great news for Indianola and Des Moines — and the entire state of Iowa.”

School leaders with Indianola and Des Moines public schools also trumpet the important value of their partnership with Simpson to provide full-tuition scholarships for their students.

“Indianola Community School District (ICSD) is excited to be part of this new initiative with Simpson College,” said Tara Paul, superintendent of ICSD. “This invaluable opportunity recognizes and rewards academic excellence while removing financial barriers that often hinder students from pursuing higher education. It also allows our students to continue their education in Indianola, taking advantage of opportunities to invest back in the community.”

Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools Dr. Ian Roberts offers his praise for the partnership.

“At Des Moines Public Schools, we are fortunate to have many wonderful partners in higher education supporting our teachers and students, and Simpson College has long been on that list,” said Dr. Roberts. “Our relationship continues to grow stronger as a result of the leadership of President Byers and his team at Simpson in creating this new full-tuition scholarship for our students who have demonstrated their academic potential and promise. At DMPS, many of our graduates who go on to college are the first in their family to do so. Thanks to Simpson College, the door to higher education has been opened wider for more of our students.”

In addition to meeting academic requirements, qualifying for a full-tuition scholarship requires federal aid eligibility as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which must be submitted by no later than July 1, 2025. Students must also live on campus and participate in Simpson’s food plan to be eligible. The full-tuition offer is open only to those enrolling for the first time at Simpson as first-year or transfer students in Fall 2025.

The Simpson/DMPS and ICSD full-tuition scholarship program is the newest addition to Simpson’s All-In for Iowa campaign. The campaign debuted last fall with the roll-out of the $100K Simpson Promise and 99 County Full-Tuition programs. The $100K Simpson Promise provides full-tuition scholarships to first-time students from Iowa with adjusted gross family incomes of $100,000 or less, while the 99 County program makes it possible for at least one student from every Iowa county to receive a full-tuition scholarship based on merit and need considerations. Simpson’s All-In for Iowa campaign helped produce the largest incoming class in more than a decade for Fall 2024, with 423 new students enrolling. The total includes an increase of 39 Iowa students with representation from 74 counties versus 58 for Fall 2023.