Iowa Lakes Scholarship Opportunities

Since 1989, the Alumni and Friends Association has funded scholarships for Iowa Lakes Community College students. Requirements include full-time enrollment and be either the child of alums or returning alumni who has been out of college for more than two years. Students must have earned at least 30 Iowa Lakes credits as of the upcoming semester. The award is $500 and must be used for tuition, books, or fees.

Iowa Lakes Community College has funded the Alumni Dependent Scholarship since 2006. Recipients must be the child of an Iowa Lakes alumni (for this purpose, alumni are defined as Iowa Lakes graduates with either a degree or diploma). Award amount is up to $500 split between two consecutive semesters for tuition only and is determined by enrollment status (12+ credits = $250/semester; 6-11 credits = $125/semester). This is a one-time-only scholarship and is not renewable.

Established in 2021, the Arnold J. Schilling Memorial Scholarship was created by his family to assist an Iowa Lakes Community College student with educational expenses. "We would like to honor his lifetime of teaching by continuing to help students pursue their educational goals," stated Vicki (Schilling) Russo. Arnold was a longtime musician and teacher in the Armstrong area. Over his 57-year career, which included many years as an instructor at Iowa Lakes, he taught hundreds of students in English, Music, and other areas of the humanities. He had a special talent for connecting with all types of students, considering diversity in ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and vocational goals. He strongly believed that education and learning are lifelong developmental steps for the individual and that everyone has the right to learn and improve at every stage of life. This Scholarship is open to those individuals who want to improve themselves, from young adults who are beginning to shape their future to older adults who have an awakening need to continue their education. Recipient should have a demonstrated history of working hard to achieve their goals.

The Autumn Lynn Arends Memorial Scholarship was established in 2021 through donations from the Surgical Technology Club of Iowa Lakes Community College. "Autumn had found her passion in the Surgical Technology Program. She was determined to succeed and wanted to help people. After her sudden and unexpected passing while a student in our program, Autumn will continue to help people far beyond what she would have been able to do as a surgical technologist. Autumn was an organ donor; her gift will live on beyond measure. We hope this memorial scholarship may also help other students find their passion in Surgical Technology." Dana Grafft, Assistant Professor, Surgical Technology. Requirements include full-time enrollment in the Surgical Technology Program with a GPA of 2.0 or greater, must be a resident of Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, or Palo Alto Counties in Iowa, and demonstrated need based on FAFSA completion. The award is $500 per year, split between the Fall and Spring semesters, and may be used for tuition, books, fees, etc. Preference will be given to a nontraditional or single parent.

Created in 2017, the Avangrid Renewables Scholarship will support Wind Energy Turbine Technology Program students with needed scholarship funds. Award amounts vary and can be used for any educational expense. Recipients must be enrolled full-time in the Wind Energy Turbine Technology Program, maintain a minimum GPA, and complete the scholarship application. Preference is given to female students in this traditionally male-dominated field. Avangrid Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy companies in the U.S., with wind and solar plants in 22 states. We are proud to have hired Iowa Lakes students into our wind fleet for years.

Avera Holy Family Hospital and Foundation of Estherville, Iowa, established the Avera Holy Family Val Schroeder Nursing Scholarship in 2023 to assist Iowa Lakes Community College Nursing students in achieving their goals. Requirements include Northwest Iowa or Southwest Minnesota resident and full-time sophomore status in an Associate Degree Nursing (RN) program. Awards are $500 and must be used for tuition, books, or fees.

Betty McSwain was a single mom, a nurse, and a world traveler. She raised three children alone, and when they were grown, she took a nursing position in Saudi Arabia. Betty had always wanted to travel, and this job provided her with opportunities to see the world. After retiring, Betty chose to live in Spencer to be near her two daughters. Her happy, active retirement was interrupted by her son's AIDS death and her terminal diagnosis. She faced her death with the same strength and courage that got her through many difficult times in her life. Betty's daughters lovingly cared for her in the 32 days she had left. "My grief was greater and lasted longer than I could have imagined," Mary says. "So, I turned to writing for therapy. My thoughts evolved into a book, Betty: A Memoir. Using the proceeds from the sales of Mom's story for nursing scholarships seemed like a natural way to honor her memory." Awards vary and will be awarded for the second semester only.

The Black Knights Car Club Scholarship was created in 2016 to assist Iowa Lakes Community College students with their educational goals. The successful recipient must be a full-time student enrolled in the Automotive Technology or the Automotive Collision programs at Iowa Lakes Community College. Awards are for $500 and will be applied to the recipient's financial aid package during the spring semester of the academic year it is awarded. Awards may used for any educational-related expense.

Iowa Lakes Community College funds the Bookstore Scholarship at each of the five campuses each semester. Requirements include a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and financial need determined by FAFSA results. The award is $200 and must be used for books only.

The Brad Hovick Memorial Scholarship has been entrusted to the Iowa Lakes Community College Foundation. The scholarship was first established by Merlyn (Mert) and Shirley Hovick and their family in July 1996. The scholarship was established to honor their son Brad Hovick after he passed away in a tragic accident in 1995. For many years, the scholarship was sustained by the support of community members and friends who participated in the Brad Hovick Memorial Golf Tournament each year. Since its inception, nearly 100 students have benefited from the scholarship. Candidates for the scholarship must be a graduating senior of North Union High School. Two students will be selected each year to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Awardees may use the scholarship to attend any college of their choice.