Scholarships for Metro Area Schools

The following Primary Scholarships at the Community Foundation partner with area high schools to recognize deserving students in Linn County for their academic excellence, community service, leadership, and need. Each of these awards a total of nine scholarships annually. Primary Scholarships are available at your school Counselor’s Office and completed applications must be submitted to Counselor’s office by Feb 15, 2024. These scholarships include:

Merveaux Academic Excellence Scholarship

Purpose: Established in 2003 by Mrs. Merveaux to assist graduating Linn County high school seniors in their future education.

Amount: $500

Criteria:

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

Glidden Community Service Scholarship

Purpose: Established in 2003 to commemorate Mr. and Mrs. Glidden’s interest in young people, their belief that education is a key component of responsible citizenship, and their desire to provide opportunities for students of all social and economic groups.

Amount: $1,000

Criteria:

• Community involvement
• Demonstrated respect and consideration for others

Outstanding Student Leader Scholarship

Purpose: Established in 2008 to carry forward the spirit of the annual Outstanding Student Leader and Special Teacher Recognition.

Amount: $500

Criteria:

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

College Opportunity Scholarship

Amount: $500

Criteria:

• Financial need – The one-page Statement of Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required
• Demonstrated career goals

Kalous Opportunity Scholarship

Purpose: Established in 2013 by Mrs. Kalous to assist graduating Linn County high school seniors in their future education.

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

Criteria:

• Financial need – The one-page Statement of Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required
• Demonstrated strong ethics and high moral character

Preferred:

• Planning to pursue study in Government, Political Science, Engineering, or Music
• Planning to attend a college or university in the state of Iowa

Kleiman Family Scholarship

Eligibility requirement:
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:

1. Leadership and good character
2. Academic achievement
3. Financial need

Apply: Apply for nomination at your high school counseling office. One female and one male candidate from each high school will be nominated for final selection by the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee for the scholarship.

Additional scholarships available at the following metro area schools:

Jefferson High School

Kennedy High School

Washington High School

Prairie High School

Komensky Society Scholarship

Purpose: For Linn County students of Czech or Slovak heritage. 

Please note: Students must use the online application to submit directly to the Community Foundation.

Eligibility requirement:

• Czech or Slovak heritage

Amount: $1,000

Criteria:

• Demonstrated the importance of Czech or Slovak heritage in student’s life
• Financial need – The one-page Statement of Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required
• Academic achievement
• Good character

The Kathleen M. McNamara Educators Scholarship

Purpose: Established in 2022 by the estate of Kathleen McNamara.

Please note: Students must use the online application to submit directly to the Community Foundation.

Eligibility requirements:

• The applicant must be a graduating senior in Linn County, Iowa.
• The applicant must plan to attend a fully accredited nonprofit or public college or university as a full- time student.
• The applicant 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)

Gems of Hope Cancer Scholarship

Purpose: Established at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation in 2023 by Gems of Hope. Gems of Hope was established as a nonprofit to support cancer patients and their families in 2005 and began awarding scholarships to students affected by cancer in 2014.

Please note: Students must use the online application to submit directly to the Community Foundation.

Eligibility requirement:

• The 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. 
• The applicant 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
• Preference given to students who demonstrate financial need directly related to the impact of a cancer diagnosis.