Local Scholarships

Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation

• Merveaux Academic Excellence Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating from a Linn Country high school. Planning to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college, university, vocational, or technical school

Amount: $500

Criteria: Academic achievement (GPA and class rank along with depth and variety of classes completed)

Due February 12, 2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• Glidden Community Service Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating from a Linn County high school. Planning to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college, university, vocational, or technical school

Amount: $1,000

Criteria: Community involvement; demonstrated respect an consideration for others

Due February 12,2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here

• Outstanding Student Leader Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating from a Linn County high school. Planning to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college, university, vocational, or technical school

Amount: $500

Criteria: Exemplary leadership skills both in and outside the school environment. Academic achievement: top 1/3 graduating class with GPA of 3.0 or above. Demonstration of outstanding character, judgment, dependability, and teamwork

Due February 12, 2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• College Opportunity Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating from a Linn County high school. Planning to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college, university, vocational, or technical school

Amount: $500 

Criteria: Financial need; demonstrated career goals, participating in extracurricular activities

Due February 12, 2026 4:30PM-Apply here

• Kalous Opportunity Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating from a Linn County high school and planning to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college or university 

Amount: $1,000; renewable for three additional years

Criteria: Financial need; demonstrated strong ethics and high moral character

Preferred BUT not required: Planning to pursue study Government, Political Science, Engineering, or Music/Planning to attend a college or university in the state of Iowa

Due February 12, 2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here

• Kleiman Family Scholarship Nomination

Eligibility: Graduating from Jefferson, Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Marion, Prairie, Washington, Xavier; Planning to attend Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, or the University of Northern Iowa

Amount: $5,000, renewable for three additional years based on academic performance

Criteria: Leadership and good character; Academic achievement; Financial need

Due February 25, 2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• Prairie Golf Scholarship

Eligibility: Graduating senior at Prairie High School, Cedar Rapids Iowa, who is a member of the school's men's golf team

Award: $1,000

Criteria: Preference given to students who participate in volunteer service activities; Preference given to students who demonstrate high moral character 

Due February 12,2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• Komensky Society Scholarship

Eligibility: Czech or Slovak heritage

Amount: $1,000

Criteria: Demonstrated the importance of Czech or Slovak heritage in student's life. Financial need- student aid index (SAI) from your completed Free Application fro Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required. Academic Achievement. Good Character

Due February 12,2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• The Kathleen M. McNamara Educators Scholarship

Eligibility: Must be graduating senior in Linn County, Iowa. Must plan to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college or university as a full-time student. Must plan to pursue a major in education with a focus on music, art, physical education, or elementary education

Amount: $1,000

Criteria: Preference given to students who are active participants in music or performing arts. Financial need (student/family financial status)

Due February 12,2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• GEMS of Hope Cancer Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduating senior at a Linn County High School in Linn County, Iowa. The applicant must plan to attend a fully accredited nonprofit, public vocational trade or technical post-secondary school, or public college or university as a full-time student. Applicants must have been personally affected by cancer through a personal diagnosis or the diagnosis of an immediate parent, guardian, or sibling

Amount: $4,000

Criteria: Financial need and preference given to students who demonstrate financial need directly related to the impact of cancer diagnosis

Due February 12,2026 by 4:30PM-Apply here 

• Donald L. & Mildred A. Miller Scholarship

Eligibility- Applicants for the Donald L. & Mildred A. Miller Scholarship must have at least one of the three criteria listed below:

1) 3.0 grade point average or higher (Please provide transcript)

2) A strong involvement in their community and/or volunteering.

3) Resides in Swisher, Iowa (Swisher address is acceptable)

Amount- $500

Due March 1, 2026- Apply here 

• Love Like Lauren Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicant must be a high school senior attending any public or private school. They should be well-rounded individuals who demonstrates a strong commitment to volunteer service and exemplify outstanding citizentship within the community

Amount- $1,000

Due March 10, 2026- Apply here 

• Edna Lenicek Education Scholarship Trust

Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduate of Waterloo East High School or College Community School District. This scholarship is NOT based on GPA. Applicant must demonstrate hard work and a desire for success. The scholarship is designed for both traditional college bound applicants and applicatns going into a trade field or non-traditional schooling.

Amount: $1,000

Due April 15, 2026- Apply here