Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency (ISDP) Scholarship

Drake’s Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency will each receive a $5,000 undergraduate tuition scholarship, renewable assuming the student has met the ISDP requirements. Majors invited to apply include: Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Systems. Preference in selection will be given to students with some demonstrable financial need who enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of the program, including specifically those who identify as part of an underrepresented group in technology. Preference in selection will be given to students with financial need and who contribute to Drake's goals for diversity and inclusiveness within the program.

About the Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency Program

Digitization is transforming society at a rate not experienced since the Industrial Revolution. Imbued with courage and conviction, Drake students are navigating this monumental change on their way to becoming tomorrow’s leaders. Drake University supports students on this journey by being the premier institution of higher education in integrating the liberal arts with analytics and technology.

The Drake Digital Proficiency Platform gives Drake graduates another attribute that potential employers increasingly expect – excellent technology and data skills. A pillar of Drake’s Digital Proficiency Platform is ensuring the Drake education addresses the growing demand for leaders with diverse talents and perspectives in technology careers. Drake is deeply committed to dramatically transforming lives of students from diverse backgrounds and tackling the challenge of building diverse pipelines for work in technology and analytics. As a part of this program we are excited to invite students to apply to Drake’s Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency program.

The Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency elements include:

• A $5,000 tuition scholarship, renewable for each of the student's Drake undergraduate school years, assuming the student has met the ISDP requirements (see below). 
• Individual meetings with the faculty advisor for the ISDP program every two weeks during the first year at Drake. 
• Monthly meetings with the ISDP community, including the faculty mentor and ISDP scholars.
• Professional development opportunities
• Digital Proficiency Community Engagement opportunities
• Peer and faculty mentorship

As a part of the Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency program, there is also an annual service commitment. As an ISDP Scholar, you will be required to perform 40 hours of Digital Proficiency Program Community Service per year such as:

• Serving as a Teaching Assistant for a Digital Proficiency Program course (any course in Computer Science, Mathematics, Math Education, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems or Data Analytics). 
• Organizing community engagement events such as an Hour of Code at the Burt Boys and Girls Club or an interdisciplinary Hack-a-Thon. 
• Participate in a research group with a Drake University professor
• Or another DPP Community Service as approved by the ISDP faculty mentor

ISDP Scholars are also required to serve as a mentor for incoming ISDP Students and attend monthly meetings with other ISDP scholars.

Application Requirements & Deadlines

• Preference in selection will be given to students with some demonstrable financial need who enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of the program, including specifically those who have demonstrated experience in or commitment to enhancing historically underrepresented populations in technology.

• Preference will be given to students that have a record of completing at least one math or computer science course per year throughout their high school experience.

The deadline to apply is January 30, 2025.

The following criteria is required for a complete application:

• Student must submit an application for admission by January 30, 2025.
• Student must submit the separate DUISDP scholarship application by January 30, 2025.
• Student must major in one of the academic offerings on the Drake Digital Proficiency Platform (math, math education, computer science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, or information systems).  If a student accepts this scholarship and subsequently changes to a major outside of the aforementioned programs, then the ISDP scholarship will not be renewed for remaining undergraduate academic years at Drake.

Apply Now

Please log in using your Office of Admission application credentials. (If you have not yet started your admission application, you must start it before you can set up a scholarship application.

Recipients will be notified by late March. Students who are selected must enroll at Drake by May 1, 2024 in order to hold their place in this program.

• PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE RENEWABLE (UP TO 4 YEARS TOTAL OR UNTIL A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IS EARNED) IF REQUIRED ACADEMIC STANDING AND GRADE POINT AVERAGE ARE MAINTAINED. For students entering one of Drake’s joint undergraduate/graduate degree paths, refer to the table below to see how undergraduate awards (including Fine Arts Scholarships) are impacted.