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Our Scholarships

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.

The Bright Scholar Award

Helping Students Across Iowa

Funded by the Bright Foundation, 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. Initiated in 2012, the award was made to three students, one each attending Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa.

By 2016, over 150 Bright Scholars of Iowa had been awarded at the three state universities and designated community colleges.

The amount of the scholarship is equal to the resident cost of attendance, less other gift aid (including Pell Grants, institutional grants and scholarships, and private scholarships). This award is renewable for up to three additional years, providing the student maintains a 2.50 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. The amount of the award each subsequent year is based on the same formula as the initial reward. Renewals are not guaranteed.

Learn more about the award and how to apply

As of 2020, over 300 Iowa high school graduates have received a Bright Foundation funded scholarship, designed to help them to graduate on-time, debt-free, prepared to launch their career and give back in some way.

The Lois Dale Bright Scholarship

Helping Students from Des Moines Public Schools

The Lois Dale Bright 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 college education without debt.

In 2015, the Bright Foundation funded five scholarships to graduates of East High School in Des Moines. Additional scholarships were awarded at East High School in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, the program expanded to award scholarships at all 5 comprehensive high schools in DMPS, bringing the total number of Lois Dale Bright Scholarship recipients to over 35.

The amount of the scholarship is equal to the resident cost of attendance, less other gift aid (including Pell Grants, institutional grants and scholarships, and private scholarships). This award is renewable for up to three additional years, providing the student maintains a 2.50 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment. The amount of the award each subsequent year is based on the same formula as the initial reward. Renewals are not guaranteed.

Learn more about the Scholarship and How to Apply

“During college, the Bright Scholarship allowed me to focus on school instead of working multiple jobs to stay afloat. In my three years since college, the same has been true – instead of being forced to worry about accepting any job just to pay my student loans, I’ve been able to chase (and land) my dream job!”

“With each passing semester I become even more thankful for this scholarship. My college experience has been phenomenal and this scholarship deserves all the credit. You have allowed to me the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy receiving my education at the University of Iowa. I am thankful to be a Bright Scholar of Iowa. Thank you so much for the college experience you have let me have through this scholarship.”

“The most valuable part of being a Bright Scholar was experiencing college from a different perspective. I am so grateful for every opportunity and position I was able to hold because I had nothing to worry about and could truly enjoy every moment. Having the freedom to get involved allowed me to further my professional development and give back to the college and community, things I would not have been able to do if I didn’t have the scholarship.”

“I cannot even begin to properly thank or even put into words how much this foundation has helped put me on an amazing path to reach and accomplish my dreams. Ever since I was seven years old, I have wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to be able to help people, to make sick people better, to be a healer, and to learn and grow to the fullest of my abilities. Because of the Bright scholarship, these dreams and goals are closer within reach. I am achieving success in ways I never thought were possible. My dreams may have been to help others and learn as much as I possibly can, but this foundation has helped me and given me the chance to do the things I love, to push myself, learn, and experience the joy of hard work and success. This scholarship inspired me to help others as well. Currently, I am pursuing a research opportunity with Dr. Mario Ascoli, Carver College of Medicine, to help with work on finding cures for infertility. I am also in the beginning stages of recruitment for alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority! A lot of things have been going on for me, but none of this would be possible without the Bright Foundation. This foundation gave me the blessing of not having to be stressed, financial security, the ability to reach my goals, but most importantly, faith in myself to do what I love best, so again, thank you.”

“I would like to take this time to thank you for your contribution towards the scholarship I have been granted through Indian Hills Community College. I will be attending Indian Hills with a major in psychology. I then plan to transfer to a four-year college and potentially graduate school after that to continue my education. Thank you again for your contribution and the endless possibilities you have given me!”

“My first year in college has been amazing. I was able to get involved with intramural sports, Iowa Wishmakers and Dance Marathon because you took the financial burden off my back and allowed for me to get the most out of my college experience. I’ve been able to focus on school and not worry about working which has allowed me to get the most out of my education. I was also able to fulfill one of my dreams before going to college; I was able to pay for a child’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with my graduation money because of your generosity and covering the expenses of my education. This first year has been great and I cannot wait for the next three years. Thank you Bright Scholars of Iowa!”