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Scholarships

SWCC is a better decision financially! But in addition to the affordable tuition, Southwestern Community College strives to create more scholarship opportunities for students each year. 

The scholarships listed below are available for students who are currently enrolled at or who will be attending SWCC in the future.  The forms are formatted, so you may fill them out online and submit them.

If you have questions regarding the scholarship applications or deadlines, please contact Cait Maitlen, SWCC Education Foundation executive director, at 800.247.4023, ext. 453, or 641.782.1453.


Education Foundation Scholarships Apply

Due to the generosity of past, present, and future Education Foundation donors, all current and future SWCC students can complete one scholarship application for 100+ scholarships that can be applied to the student's account while attending Southwestern. We are extremely grateful that these scholarships are in place to assist SWCC students in furthering their college education.

Deadline: March 15 for fall semester; December 1 for spring semester

Awards: Vary based on student eligibility

Eligibility: Numerous scholarships within one online application. Every SWCC student is eligible for consideration after completion of the online application!

Trustee Award Apply

Deadline: First day of fall semester classes each academic year

Award: The amount of the award is dependent on the student’s total tuition and fees and SWCC Education Foundation scholarships awarded for the academic year. NOTE: Online classes are not covered by this award.

Eligibility: Students must be valedictorians/salutatorians of their high school graduating classes in the respective academic year. Students must enroll full-time and maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade point average each semester to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Collegiate Scholarship Apply

Deadline: First day of fall semester classes each academic year

Award: $500 each semester for four consecutive semesters (fall and spring)

Eligibility:  Available to current-year high school graduates who rank in the top 15 percent of their class or have achieved a composite ACT score of 25 or above or SAT score of 1150 or above. The student must enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the semester immediately following high school graduation.  The Collegiate Scholarship will be released in four installments, $500 each, in each academic year's fall and spring semesters. NOTE:  If a student's ACT score is 30 or higher, the total amount of the scholarship goes up to $4,000 for two years (divided out as $1,000 per semester).  Minimum GPA requirements stay the same.

To receive installments, the student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.  Not valid in conjunction with Southwestern’s Trustee Award Scholarship.  Students in the tuition remission program do not qualify for this scholarship.

Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship Info

Deadline: FAFSA completion before July 1. Be sure to enter Southwestern's school code: 001857.

Award: This program is designed to cover the remaining gaps between federal and state grants, scholarships, and tuition and qualified fees.

Eligibility: There are two groups that qualify for Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship:

Group 1: NEW HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

  • Must enroll, at least part-time, in a qualified program of study, after graduating from an Iowa high school; or completion of a homeschool program or an equivalency diploma
  • Must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) at or below $20,000
  • Apply for all other available state and federal grants and scholarships
  • Meet continuing requirements

Group 2: ADULT LEARNERS

  • Age 20 or older (as of July 1 prior to year of enrollment)
  • Must enroll in a qualified program of study at a part-time status
  • Must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) at or below $20,000
  • Apply for all other available state and federal grants and scholarships
  • Meet continuing requirements

Other eligibility requirements include filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), meeting with a Southwestern academic advisor, or admissions representative to register for courses, and attending new student orientation.

For additional information, visit the Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship page.

Bright Scholarship - H. Dale and Lois Bright Foundation Apply

Deadline: August of each academic year

Award: $2,500 each semester for four consecutive semesters (fall and spring)

Eligibility: 

  • Current senior attending an Iowa high school
  • Outstanding academic achievement (top 10 percent or equivalent of high school graduating class, cumulative GPA of 3.75 or above, or ACT of 28 or above)
  • Demonstrate a commitment to learning, community service, and success in the face of adversity.
  • Qualify for a Pell Grant as determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Preference is given to a student pursuing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science program with the intent to transfer to a four-year Regent institution in the state of Iowa
  • Students must enroll full-time and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 to remain eligible for the scholarship.