Investing in education for a brighter future for Iowa

As a scholarship provider, the mission of the Bright Foundation is to empower scholars to launch careers through the successful access and completion of college degrees.

A Bright Vision

The Bright Foundation funds scholarships and supports scholars so they graduate college on-time, debt-free, prepared to launch their careers and give back in some way.

Applications Open Now

Iowa high school seniors planning to attend any of the state universities in 2022 can apply for the Bright Scholars of Iowa award through each university's online scholarship application portal. Seniors in Des Moines Public Schools can get an application for the Lois Dale Bright Scholarship from their high school counseling office.

About The Bright Foundation

The Bright Foundation is focused on providing education for a brighter future through scholarships with the goal of helping more Iowa students go to college and graduate debt free. Lois and H. Dale Bright funded the H. Dale and Lois Bright Foundation in 1957. Since that time their Foundation has quietly contributed millions of dollars to Iowa organizations, charities and educational institutions.

Lois Dale Scholarship

The Lois Dale Scholarship is a need- and merit- based grant designed to help ensure that a selected number of outstanding Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) high school seniors have the financial means to complete a two-year or four-year college education without debt.

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Bright Scholars of Iowa

The Bright Scholars of Iowa Award is a need and merit based grant designed to help ensure that a selected number of outstanding Iowa high school seniors have the financial means to complete a two-year or four-year college education without debt.

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News & Events

Shelby Rietgraf - Get to Know Her

Get to know our program coordinator Shelby Rietgraf.

Congratulations 2024 Bright Scholars

We are pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the Bright Scholars of Iowa, Lois Dale Bright Scholarship, and Bright Scholars Persistence awards.

2024 Bright Symposium: A Day of Hard Work and Personal and Professional Growth

March 23, 2024 – The second annual Bright Symposium took place on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa. This year’s symposium brought the engagement and connection of over 50 Bright Scholars, Bright Alum, Bright Foundation board members, volunteers, speakers, and corporate partners with the guiding theme of working hard. Since establishing the Bright Scholars of Iowa award in 2012, the Bright Foundation has proudly dedicated its support toward young Iowans as they work hard to graduate college on time, debt-free, prepared to launch their careers and give back in some way. Based on the values of founders Lois and Dale Bright, who worked hard, saved carefully, invested wisely, and gave back when they could, The Bright Symposium is an annual opportunity for scholarship recipients to embrace this hard-working spirit and what it means to be a Bright Scholar.

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