Iowa Lakes Scholarship Opportunities

Since 2005, Iowa Lakes Community College has funded the SAVE Scholarship for students who participated in SAVE classes at Iowa Lakes while in high school. The award amount is $500 for tuition only and is determined by per semester enrollment status (12+ credits = $250/semester; 6-11 credits = $125/semester). This scholarship is not renewable.

Senator Jack and Kay Kibbie, of Emmetsburg, Iowa, established the Senator Jack and Kay Kibbie Family Scholarship in 2007 at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Kibbies recognize and support the importance of agriculture and nursing in Iowa. Requirements include full-time (12+ credits) enrollment in an Agricultural or Nursing program, permanent residency in Emmet, Kossuth or Palo Alto counties, a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and financial need determined by FAFSA results. Awards are $625 for tuition, books or fees.

The Spirit of Reggie Jazz Camp Scholarship was started in 2014 to encourage the winner of the Spirit of Reggie Award, presented at the Iowa Lakes Jazz Camp every June, to attend Iowa Lakes in the Fall. The recipient is chosen each year by the Faculty and Staff of the Jazz Camp. The Spirit of Reggie Award is given to a student who exhibits excitement and cooperation during the Jazz Camp. The award is in memory of Reggie Shive, past Jazz Camp Clinician

Steve Reighard, a lifelong lakes area resident and conservation officer, was honored with a memorial scholarship fund at Iowa Lakes Community College. The scholarship was made possible by numerous donations from friends, family, and community members. Reighard graduated from Iowa Lakes' Environmental Studies program and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from South Dakota State University. Throughout his education, Reighard worked with Iowa DNR fisheries and, upon graduation, began his career as a park ranger stationed at Gull Point State Park. He served as an Iowa Conservation Officer in Dickinson County. He was honored as Officer of the Year for the State of Iowa in 2020. Reighard's greatest passions in life were his family and spending time outdoors. In those moments, he felt most connected to himself, God, and nature.

Through the scholarship, family and friends honor Reighard's legacy by assisting students in achieving their educational goals in Criminal Justice and Environmental Studies. Recipients will demonstrate firm commitments to conservation, community service, and service to others. Priority will be given to first-year students who plan to enroll in Environmental Studies or Criminal Justice programs at Iowa Lakes and reside in Clay, Palo Alto, Dickinson, or Emmet counties. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded annually.

The Student Support Services (Institutional Funded) Scholarship at Iowa Lakes Community College is for active SSS students who display focus and commitment toward completing their academic goals as full-time students. Requirements include financial need determined by FAFSA results and a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. Awards vary and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

The Thomas Lee Bortvit Memorial Scholarship was created to honor an honest, hardworking, responsible young man who always thought of others first. Thomas Bortvit's life was tragically ended on June 6, 2015. Thomas was a quiet young man, but when he spoke, "Every word he said mattered," stated one of his best friends. Candidates for the scholarship must be enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and show financial need as determined by FAFSA. Candidates must also reside within Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, and Palo Alto counties, with preference given to Emmet County residents. This award is $500 and will be split between the fall and spring semesters for tuition, books and fees.

The Thom-Pedersen Scholarship was created in 2022 in memory of former Milwaukee Police Officer Robert Thom by his friends Hank and Pam Pedersen of Ledyard, Iowa. Thom passed away in Arizona in 2022. Requirements include full-time (12+ credits) or part-time (6-11 credits) Criminal Justice, Nursing or Environmental Studies enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater. Preference will be given to Kossuth County candidates who have attended North Union, Algona, or Bishop Garrigan high schools. Awards will vary and will be split between fall and spring semesters.

This scholarship is awarded during the Tietz Entrepreneurial Center High School Entrepreneurial Experience Program. Candidates must participate in the program and complete the Iowa Lakes Scholarship application for the academic year they intend to use it.

The Todd Edmund Eslick "Eddie Flyer" Scholarship was established in 2010 at Iowa Lakes Community College. Todd, a 2000 Aviation alumnus, was affectionately known as "Eddie Flyer" by his classmates and comrades in pranks. At 13, he was the youngest to complete ground school in Webster City, Iowa. He later became the youngest flight instructor hired at the college. Todd was known for his ability to identify the type of aircraft passing overhead by the engine sound and always departed his fellow pilots with a wish for "blue skies and tailwinds." Requirements include full-time (12+ credits) enrollment in the Aviation program, Sophomore status and a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. The award is $500 and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

Tom Spalding was the Director of Records and Registration at Iowa Lakes Community College from 1981 until his retirement in December 2002. He passed away in 2008 after a short illness. Spalding's love for music was evident through his participation in the Iowa Lakes Community College Jazz Band, Northwest Iowa Concert Band and Northwest Iowa Jazz Band. Family and friends felt it only appropriate to establish a memorial scholarship to benefit students who share his passion. One recipient is selected annually; the scholarship award varies and must be used for tuition, books or fees.

Iowa Lakes Community College funds the TRIO Scholarship for students who participated in either Talent Search or Upward Bound programs at Iowa Lakes and plan to enroll at Iowa Lakes in the fall semester following their high school graduation. The requirement is full-time (12+ credits) enrollment. The award is up to $500 and must be used for tuition only. This scholarship is not renewable.

The Upward Bound Bridge Scholarship was created to cover the tuition, books and fees for up to two summer classes for eligible students. Students must complete BOTH courses. Award amounts will vary.

The Newhouse family and friends established the Valerie Newhouse Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship at Iowa Lakes Community College. Candidates have demonstrated leadership in both their high schools and communities. Candidates are high school graduates from the Iowa Lakes Community College five-county district who plan to enroll full-time (12+ credits) at Iowa Lakes Community College. The Award is $500 to be used for approved educational expenses.

Created in 2021 to assist a Sophomore student enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in the Veterinary Technician program. Successful candidates must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or greater. This award may be used for any educational expense and is $500 per academic year, split between the fall and spring semesters.

This a scholarship funded by the WaTanYe Organization. These community-minded members offer an annual scholarship for non-traditional-age students pursuing higher education.

The Web Development Program Coordinator established this scholarship to assist students in achieving their academic goals and pursuing career opportunities in web design and development. The successful candidate will be a full-time (12+ credits) student in the Web Development Program.