Financial Aid Office
Main 27
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1018
Fax: 563-387-2241
Scholarships and Other Types of Aid
Luther believes that the gifts and talents each student brings to our campus are what makes this such a special place. Because we value what our students contribute to the campus community, we offer a variety of scholarships and awards based on demonstrated academic excellence; talent in musical, theatre, dance, and art talent; and other criteria.
Note: Institutional scholarships, grants, and awards–along with the amounts shown below–are for students beginning attendance at Luther College in the fall of 2024. Students who enrolled at Luther before fall 2024 should refer to their financial aid offers in Norse Hub regarding the types and amounts of their scholarships, grants, and awards. Luther College scholarships are capped at the cost of tuition.
Academic Merit Scholarships
Admitted students automatically receive one of the following academic achievement awards; the only application required is an application for admission. Academic scholarships are renewable for each of a student’s four years at Luther College. The amount is based on high school academic performance, as measured by cumulative high school GPA (calculated according to Luther’s weighting formula). Standardized test scores are not required but will be considered if submitted.
| Annual Amount | GPA Range | Award Name |
|---|---|---|
| $34,000 per year | >=3.95 | Founders |
| $32,000 per year | 3.70 - 3.94 | Presidential |
| $30,000 per year | 3.45 - 3.69 | Dean |
| $28,000 per year | 3.10 - 3.44 | Martin Luther |
| $26,000 per year | <=3.09 | Achievement |
Accepted students are informed of their award as part of their admission notification packet.
Talent Scholarships (Auditions Required)
Luther offers a wide variety of scholarships and awards based on musical talent, regardless of chosen major.
Most music scholarships require an audition; others are based on your achievements in high school. We award most music scholarships in addition to any academic scholarship and you’ll keep those scholarships for your entire four years.
Theatre scholarships are talent-based and awarded in two areas of interest: performance or design/technical theatre. Candidates for a Luther theatre scholarship are identified through an audition or interview.
Dance scholarships are talent-based, regardless of chosen major or minor. Dance scholarships are awarded to students after they have been admitted to Luther.
Other Scholarships and Awards
Value
$1,000 per year
Renewal
Renewable through fourth year of full-time enrollment.
Application
None required.
Application Deadline
Eligible visit must be completed by May 31 of the academic year prior to enrollment at Luther.
Selection Criteria
Must attend an eligible visit (individual or group) prior to enrolling at Luther College.
Notes
For more information about eligible visits, click the link below.
Value
$500–$1,250
Renewal
Through eighth semester of full-time enrollment.
Application
Application form, brief essay, and letter of reference required. (Application form coming soon.)
Application Deadline
April 5, 2024.
Selection Criteria
Awards are based on the student’s demonstrated leadership within their own congregations and church organizations.
In addition to scholarships and other awards above that are awarded by the Office of Admissions, Luther offers several scholarships administered by various academic departments for first-year students.
Value
Up to $1,000 yearly match per student from Luther College for congregational support.
Renewal
Renewable through eighth semester; based on full-time enrollment and continuing participation of home congregation.
Application
A representative of the student’s home congregation must submit the EPIC Contribution Form (PDF).
Selection Criteria
Matching grants are given to students whose home congregation financially supports their Luther education.
Notes
Notification of awards—and the funds themselves—must come directly from the church to Luther for students to receive the match. EPIC is a program for congregations to support students attending Luther. Congregations may be affiliated with any denomination.
EPIC is not intended as a means of diverting family tuition payments through congregations in order to receive personal tax benefit. This is a violation of tax law that can jeopardize non-profit status for both Luther and the church.
Value
$2,000
Renewal
Renewable through eighth semester of full-time enrollment.
Application
None required.
Application Deadline
None.
Selection Criteria
Recipients must be first-time (either first-year or transfer) Luther students whose parents do not hold a bachelor’s (4-year) degree.
Notes
Older siblings who are either currently in college or college graduates do not affect first-generation status.
Value
$4,000 over four years ($1,000 per year).
Selection Criteria
Offered to students who have been referred by an alumnus/a through the Student Referral Form, as part of the Alumni Ambassador Program.
Application
None. Scholarship is awarded automatically to eligible students upon admission.
Nomination Deadline
The alumnus/a may complete the Student Referral Form at any time during the student’s senior year.
Renewal
Renewable up to eight semesters, based on full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
Notes:
A student may only earn one Future Norse Referral Grant, regardless of the number of alumni who have completed a Student Referral Form for that student. Also, parents may not refer their children; the Luther Legacy Award is designated for this purpose.
Value
$5,000 fellowship which may be used anytime during the junior or senior year. The fellowship includes few restrictions; in keeping with the spirit of the program, students have great latitude in using the funds to pursue their own passions. Imagine Fellowships must be used to pursue an extended learning experience beyond campus; therefore, cannot be used to offset normal tuition and fee charges on campus.
lmagine Fellows must maintain a 3.0 Luther GPA and remain enrolled as full-time students.
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on an assessment of each student’s potential promise as a student and a scholar, his or her capacity and passion to engage in creative and self-directed learning, and the student’s ability to translate learning into service to others.
Potential lmagine Fellows are recommended by the admissions staff based on the strength of the admissions file and conversations throughout the admissions process. A Luther College committee consisting of the vice president for enrollment and faculty members will make the final selections. Candidates who are chosen as finalists will be invited to interview.
Application
Applicants are asked to write a 500-word essay and provide a one-page resume as part of the application process.
Application Deadline
January 12, 2024.
Renewal
This is a non-renewable fellowship.
A Free Tuition Opportunity for Qualified Incoming Students
A quality higher education can, and should, be accessible for all students regardless of their financial circumstance. That’s why the Luther College Iowa and Minnesota Impact Awards were created: to foster an opportunity for high-achieving Iowa and Minnesota students to pursue their academic goals at Luther College.
Requirements to qualify for this award include:
- A high school GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Family adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less
- Iowa OR Minnesota resident as defined by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission or the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
- Must reside on campus for each year the award is received
- Must be an incoming student first-time or transfer student for fall 2024
Value:
$4,000 over four years ($1,000 per year).
Selection Criteria:
Awards are given to the dependent children of Luther College graduates.
Application:
Complete a Luther application for admission.
Renewal:
Renewable up to 8 semesters; based on full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.
Value
$4,000 to $8,000 over four years ($1,000 to $2,000 a year).
Selection Criteria
Awards are given to students who are finalists in the National Merit Scholarship program.
Renewal
Renewable up to 8 semesters of full-time enrollment.
Notes
National Merit Scholarships are granted in addition to other academic awards and scholarships for which students may qualify.
Value
$5,000
Renewal
This is a non-renewable fellowship.
Application
Applicants are asked to write a 500-word essay and provide a one-page resume as part of the application process.
Application Deadline
March 1, 2024
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on an assessment of each student’s capacity to passionately and creatively explore peace studies, to engage in dialogue, to participate in a self-directed project, and to translate learning into service to others.
Potential Peace Fellows are recommended by admissions staff based on the strength of the application file and conversations throughout the admissions process. A Luther College committee consisting of the vice president for enrollment and faculty members will make the final selections. Candidates chosen as semi-finalists will be invited to interview.
Notes
The Peace Fellowship may be used any time during the junior or senior year. There are few restriction on its use; in keeping with the spirit of the program, students have great latitude in using these funds to pursue a self-directed project that supports exploration of peace and the translation of learning into service. Peace Fellowships cannot be used to offset normal tuition and fee charges on campus.
Peace Fellows must maintain a 3.00 Luther GPA, remain enrolled as full-time students, and participate in a seminar course during their first year of study at Luther.
As part of its sustainability efforts, Luther College offers $5,000 scholarships ($1,250 per year) to students who have demonstrated leadership in sustainability and are committed to working for a more just, equitable, and environmentally sustainable world. Scholarship recipients join, work, and learn with other scholars in Luther’s Sustainability Scholars Program.
Other Types of Aid to Consider
Financial Aid Office
Main 27
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1018
Fax: 563-387-2241