Scholarships in the Midwest plant the financial seeds for college students in America’s Heartland to grow professionally.
Surrounding the country’s geographic center, the Midwest is traditionally a 12-state region spanning from Ohio to the Dakotas and south to Kansas. The Census Bureau reports that the Midwest is a melting pot of cultures with 65.37 million people.
Students are often attracted to the Great Plains for the Midwest’s historic trails, delicious cuisine like St. Louis-style barbecue, sprawling cities like Chicago, and beautiful natural wonders like the Badlands. The Midwest serves as the location for many top-ranked national universities, including Notre Dame, Creighton, Ohio State, and Carleton College. Post-graduate employment is also favorable with 127 Midwestern companies making the Fortune 500 list, such as Berkshire Hathaway and General Motors.
Nurture your blossoming career with extra funds from the following 20 great scholarships for students in the Midwest.
1. ASA-Midwest Automotive Student Scholarships
Deadline: December 16th
Established in 1963, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) offers four Midwest Automotive Student Scholarships for $1,000 apiece to undergraduates pursuing accredited vocational programs for automotive technology. Applications are reserved for Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma residents. Other eligibility criteria includes registering for 12+ credit hours at Midwestern colleges, carrying a 2.0 GPA or better, demonstrating financial need, and promote automotive career opportunities.
Contact
ASA-Midwest Automotive Student Scholarship
244 W. Mill Street Suite 105
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 781-5801
sheri@asa-midwest.org
2. Carol Rueppel Leadership Scholarship
Deadline: February 6th
The Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) gifts the Carol Rueppel Leadership Scholarship for $2,000 to honor the former general manager of KMSP-TV. Graduating high school seniors or university students in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin who’ve been accepted at accredited colleges to study digital media, broadcast journalism, or communications should apply. There’s also the Ulysses Carlini Media Scholarship available.
Contact
Carol Rueppel Leadership Scholarship
7319 Hunters Run
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
(952) 381-7494
info@midwestemmys.org
3. Dan L. Meisinger, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: November 24th
Learning to fly with the Dan L. Meisinger, Sr. Memorial Scholarship will provide $2,500 from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) in honor of Beech Aircraft’s two-time “Man of the Year.” The merit-based program seeks college undergraduates who are pursuing aviation degrees, holding a minimum “B” average or higher, and recommended by members for flight training promise. Priority is given to Midwesterners from Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri.
Contact
Dan L. Meisinger, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
818 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 900
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 774-1535
Safety1st@nata.aero
4. Gene Watnaas Scholarship Fund
Deadline: January 31st
Each Spring, the Gene Watnaas Scholarship Fund provides two $1,000 awards from the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry association (UMDIA) for students pursuing degrees in animal science, dairy science, veterinary medicine, dairy manufacturing, food science, or agriculture. Qualified candidates will hail from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas. Recipients are expected to have completed at least one semester, achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA, and significantly contribute to the dairy industry.
Contact
Gene Watnaas Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 1075
Cumberland, WI 54829
(920) 883-0020
umdiascholarships@gmail.com
5. Greater Midwest Chapter PCMA Scholarship
Deadline: January 19th
The Greater Midwest Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) initiated a $5,000 scholarship to support Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin students with current membership. Eligible applicants must attend accredited colleges full-time, select majors related to the meetings or hospitality industry, report a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, attach two letters of recommendation, and write a 1,000-word essay about their ambitions.
Contact
Greater Midwest Chapter PCMA Scholarship
35 East Wacker Drive Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 265-3925
greatermidwest@pcma.org
6. Gus S. Kass Undergraduate Scholarship
Deadline: October 15th
Valued at $1,000, the Gus S. Kass Undergraduate Scholarship is presented by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists Midwest Chapter to assist full-time students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical science, or allied fields for the cosmetic industry. Attending an accredited, four-year college in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Wisconsin is required. Don’t forget to submit a transcript copy, SAT/ACT score report, faculty letter of recommendation, and brief personal essay to SOLO Labs.
Contact
Gus S. Kass Undergraduate Scholarship
2200 Parkes Drive
Broadview, IL 60155
(630) 268-0656
chair@midwestscc.org
7. Hellenic Link-Midwest Scholarships
Deadline: November 1st
The Hellenic Link-Midwest calls all Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin residents with at least one parent of Greek heritage to compete for their $2,000 annual scholarships. Eligible college-level applicants must engage in accredited study full-time, have completed their freshman year, earn an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, exhibit unmet financial need, and submit two signed recommendations written on school stationery.
Contact
Hellenic Link-Midwest Scholarships
P.O. Box 3
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 498-0421
scholarships@helleniclinkmidwest.org
8. Jack Shelley Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 1st
In honor of the WHO/Des Moines director who served the Iowa Broadcast News Association for two decades, the Jack Shelley Scholarship Program is managed by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association (MBJA) to bestow $1,250 yearly. Aspiring broadcasters from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin who are enrolled as full-time undergraduate journalism majors can apply. Selection is based on dedication to media careers, academic merit, and broadcasting experience.
Contact
Jack Shelley Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 838
Sturgis, SD 57785
(605) 490-3033
contact@midwestjournalists.org
9. KASF Midwestern Regional Chapter Scholarships
Deadline: July 8th
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation’s (KASF) Midwestern Regional Chapter presents $500 to $2,500 awards yearly to support students of Korean heritage, including non-citizen nationals. Qualified full-time scholars must attend accredited colleges in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, the Dakotas, or Wisconsin with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 and unmet financial need. These scholarships in the Midwest are awarded for high school juniors through graduate students.
Contact
KASF Midwestern Regional Chapter Scholarships
1760 S. Braymore Drive
Barrington, IL 60010
(708) 403-3057
mwrc.scholarship@kasf.org
10. Louisa Bowen Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
Named after a Society of American Archivists member who served Wayne State University, Morris Library, and the National Board of the YWCA, the Louisa Bowen Memorial Scholarship grants $750 from the Midwest Archives Conference. Recipients must be full-time students or residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin who are enrolling in a multi-course archival administration program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
Contact
Louisa Bowen Memorial Scholarship
3247 N. Bartlett Avenue Suite 4
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 229-1122
sahayes1@yahoo.com
11. Lutheran Church Extension Fund Scholarships
Deadline: February 28th
The Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s (LCEF) Upper Midwest Districts fund six $1,000 scholarships annually to high school seniors and current undergraduates who reside in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, or Wisconsin. Interested candidates must belong to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, have at least one year remaining at accredited U.S. colleges, hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, be Christ-centered servant leaders, and display financial need on the FAFSA report.
Contact
Lutheran Church Extension Fund Scholarships
14301 Grand Ave South
Burnsville, MN 55306
(877) 371-5233
maria.hendrickson@lcef.org
12. MGMA Midwest Section Scholarships
Deadline: May 1st
Ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each, the Midwest Section of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) awards scholarships to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin natives who wish to become health administrators. Upperclassmen and graduate students who are developing their medical managerial skills with business, public health, or health administration majors at AUPHA members should apply. Midwesterners may also qualify for the Harry J. Harwick Scholarship.
Contact
MGMA Midwest Section Scholarships
104 Inverness Terrace East
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 799-1111
scholarship@mgma.org
13. Midwest Food Processors Association Scholarships
Deadline: March 3rd
Since 2013, the Midwest Food Processors Association (MWFPA) has delivered 10 scholarships for $1,000 each to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a member company such as Hormel Food Corporation or ConAgra Foods. Suitable applicants must enter an accredited college or vocational school full-time, possess a cumulative GPA above 2.5, actively participate in community activities, submit one reference, and live in their three-state area of Illinois, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.
Contact
Midwest Food Processors Association Scholarships
4600 American Parkway Suite 210
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 255-9946
info@mwfpa.org
14. Midwestern Actuarial Forum Scholarships
Deadline: June 15th
The Casualty Actuarial Society awards two Midwestern Actuarial Forum Scholarships each year for $1,000 to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin residents who’ve chosen to become actuaries. Eligible recipients must belong to the CAS Student Central, attend U.S.-based colleges full-time, have passed at least one actuarial exam, exhibit mathematical aptitude, and display communication skills. The four-page application must include an official transcript, recommendation letter, and personal statement.
Contact
Midwestern Actuarial Forum Scholarships
4350 N. Fairfax Drive Suite 250
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-3100
MAFscholarship@casact.org
15. Neurofibromatosis Midwest Scholarships
Deadline: May 31st
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Neurofibromatosis (NF) Midwest utilizes an endowment from Francis and Irma Napolilli to provide multiple $1,000 scholarships for college undergraduates who’ve been diagnosed with the genetic disorder. It’s open to United States citizens living in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and eastern Missouri who are earning their first accredited associate or bachelor’s degree. Applicants’ scholastic merit, moral character, community service, and perseverance are considered.
Contact
Neurofibromatosis Midwest Scholarships
473 Dunham Road Suite 3
St. Charles, IL 60174
(630) 945-3562
info@nfmidwest.org
16. PFund Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: January 15th
Worth $2,000 to $10,000 each, the PFund Foundation Scholarships are presented yearly to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight ally in the Upper Midwest. This region includes Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Eligibility criteria mandates attending an accredited U.S. institution full-time, being at least 17, displaying academic merit, advocating for LGBTQ rights, and exhibiting commitment to advancing change.
Contact
PFund Foundation Scholarships
2801 21st Avenue South Suite 132B
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 870-1806
scholarships@pfundfoundation.org
17. Printing Industry Midwest Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
Future communications professionals hailing from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota claim $7,000 yearly through Printing Industry Midwest Scholarships. Each April, the fund supports tuition at accredited colleges or technical schools for printing technology, graphic design, mass media, and press operation majors who obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Preference is given to the legal dependents of PIM member employees.
Contact
Printing Industry Midwest Scholarships
1300 Godward Street NE Suite 2650
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 400-6208
kdavis@pimw.org
18. Richard Bradley Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 2nd
Sponsored by the USTA, the Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) gifts the Richard Bradley Memorial Scholarship for $2,500 to honor the beloved Chicago Prairie Tennis Club volunteer and Chicago Public Schools administrator. It’s designed for African American junior tennis players from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin who exhibit the aptitude for accredited two- or four-year colleges. Other Midwestern scholarships include the Tim & Tom Gullikson Scholarship and Hooked on Tennis Scholarship.
Contact
Richard Bradley Memorial Scholarship
1310 East 96th Street Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 669-0455
brownell@midwest.usta.com
19. Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 15th
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) manages the Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund to bestow several $500 awards to “green” students who share the Wisconsin educator’s passion for environmental sustainability. Undergraduates of any major who maintain good standing at accredited colleges in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, or Missouri and work to protect our Earth’s resources would qualify. The online application includes a transcript, short essay, and two references.
Contact
Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund
7558 Deer Road
Custer, WI 54423
(715) 592-6595
info@midwestrenew.org
20. Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 15th
Since 1988, the Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation has built upon the Grace University Lutheran Church pastor’s 30-year devotion to ending inequality and oppression by bestowing scholarships for $1,000 to $5,000 each. The committee seeks Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota college students who are completing peace projects that address dire issues like domestic violence, Native American rights, and homelessness. Religious affiliation won’t be considered.
Contact
Vincent L. Hawkinson Foundation Scholarships
324 Harvard Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 470-4295
info@hawkinsonfoundation.org
Finding great college deals in the Midwest can be easier than some other U.S. regions. According to Forbes, eight of the 10 top public colleges in the Midwest cost under $25,000. Bismarck State College is arguably the cheapest with in-state tuition presently set at $3,520 yearly. Yet there are Midwestern post-secondary institutions on the other end of the spectrum too. For example, Northwestern University now charges $49,047 and the University of Chicago bills $50,193 for yearly tuition. Financial aid is essential to afford tuition and extra fees like housing comfortably within your means. In addition to these 25 private scholarships in the Midwest, look toward state-based programs like the Iowa Tuition Grant and Wisconsin Higher Education Grant.