Scholarships & Awards

Athletic scholarships are available for athletes in the sports of basketball, soccer, track & field, cross-country, golf, tennis, rowing, softball, and volleyball. Students interested in competing at Drake can find more information at godrakebulldogs.com.

Athletic scholarship recipients must be degree-seeking students and be otherwise eligible to compete in the NCAA. Students receiving athletic scholarships are not eligible for the Drake Grant.

In accordance with Pioneer Football League rules, athletic scholarships are not available for football.

The Bahamas Scholarship is awarded to incoming college students seeking a Bachelor's degree who have been approved for financial support from the Bahamian government. These scholarships are awarded automatically to eligible students (no application needed).

Generally, these scholarships are available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a student earns a bachelor’s degree. However, students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs. Renewal for Bahamas Scholarships is contingent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. 

Bahamas Scholarships are available only to students who are enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in the fall and spring semesters (not available for summer term). They are tuition-specific awards (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

The Carver Scholars Program is funded by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. It provides one new scholarship each year to a Drake student from Iowa who will be starting their junior year, in an amount of about $8,800. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled full-time and have a 2.8 cumulative GPA, demonstrate financial need (FAFSA required), and have encountered unusual barriers in pursuit of their college attendance. 

Scholarships may renew for a student's senior year, but renewal is not automatic--recipients must re-apply for a 2nd year of support. More information, including instructions to apply, can be found at www.carvertrust.org/scholarships. Applications require an essay and letters of recommendation, and all materials must be submitted by the application deadline (typically April 1). 

Entering first-year students can apply to be a Public Democracy Scholar. More information about this program is available here. Public Democracy Scholars will a receive a renewable $5000 scholarship. This is a tuition-specific scholarship (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). It is not available for the summer term.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. The scholarship is available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a bachelor’s degree has been earned. Students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

Entering freshmen have the opportunity to apply to the Changemaker Scholars Program. Changemaker Scholars receive renewable $5000 scholarships. This is a tuition-specific scholarship (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). It is not available for the summer term.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. The scholarship is available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a bachelor’s degree has been earned. Students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

Crew Scholarships are available to incoming undergraduate students who are invited to be participants of the Crew Scholars Program. Crew Scholarship amounts can vary, but will be at least $500/year.

Generally, these scholarships are available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a student earns a bachelor’s degree. However, students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

Renewal for Crew Scholarships is contingent on satisfactory participation in the Crew Scholars Program and on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Scholarships are renewed for the amount awarded at the time of admission. Crew Scholarships are available only to students who are enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in the fall and spring semesters (not available for summer term). They are tuition-specific awards (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

Thanks to the generous support of Drake’s alumni and friends, Drake has over 700 funded scholarships to support students at Drake. Many of these scholarships are awarded automatically to qualified students. Some scholarships require application, and the application process is usually administered by Admission or the appropriate College or School at Drake University.

Fine Arts Scholarships are available to incoming first-time or transfer students who are enrolling in a Bachelor's degree program and who demonstrate excellence in the areas of Art & Design, Music, or Theatre Arts. Students must apply/audition to be considered for a Fine Arts Scholarship (access more information and application instructions here). Interested students are encouraged to apply early, as funds are limited. Students that receive Fine Arts Scholarships are not eligible for the Drake Grant. 

Generally, these scholarships are available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a student earns a bachelor’s degree. However, students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

Renewal for Fine Arts Scholarships is contingent on satisfactory participation in the relevant fine arts discipline and on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Scholarships may not be renewed for more than the amount awarded at the time of admission. Fine Arts Scholarships are available only to students who are enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in the fall and spring semesters (not available for summer term). They are tuition-specific awards (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

Three candidates for the National Alumni Scholarship program will be awarded the George Carpenter Scholarship for $10,000. This is a tuition-specific scholarship (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). It is not available for the summer term.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain a GPA of 3.25 for renewal, in addition to general Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. The scholarship is available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a bachelor’s degree has been earned. Students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

George Carpenter Scholarship recipients are seen as student leaders at the University, and are expected to be actively engaged in the Drake community. Additionally, recipients must meet with a representative from the Drake University Office of Alumni & Development each semester, and will be expected to participate in each year’s National Alumni Scholarship competition days.

Entering freshmen planning to major in Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and Information Systems can apply for the Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency Scholarship. More information and application instructions are available here. This is a tuition-specific scholarship (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). It is not available for the summer term.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. The scholarship is available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a bachelor’s degree has been earned. Students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

Drake is a core institution of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, which offers scholarships and research fellowships to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering or math disciplines that support NASA’s mission.

The Drake Law School awards more than $6 million annually in scholarship assistance. More information about the various scholarships available to law students can be found here.

The Legacy Award is available to full-time, Bachelor's degree-seeking undergraduate students who are children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren of Drake Graduates. Students should disclose their legacy affiliation on the application for admission. These awards are applied automatically at the time of admission for eligible students (no application needed). More information is available here. 

Generally, these scholarships are available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a student earns a bachelor’s degree. However, students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs. Renewal is contingent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Legacy Awards are not available for summer term, and are tuition-specific awards (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

National Alumni Scholarship Program

The National Alumni Scholarship Program is Drake’s most competitive scholarship program. Multiple scholarships are available, up to full tuition. Scholarships under the National Alumni Scholarship program are awarded to outstanding first-year students entering directly from high school who meet all criteria and complete the full application process. To apply, students must complete the National Alumni Scholarship Application (available here) by December 1 of their senior year in high school. 

The Awards

• One full tuition National Alumni Scholarship
• Three George Carpenter Scholarships ($10,000/year)

These scholarships are available to full-time students during the fall and spring semesters, and are restricted to the cost of tuition. If a student receives other tuition-specific assistance that, in combination with the these scholarships, exceeds the student’s cost of tuition, these scholarships will be reduced so that the sum of all tuition-specific awards are equal to the student’s tuition charges (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

See "George Carpenter Scholarship" for more information, including renewal requirements.

Students who are recognized as National Merit finalists and who have indicated Drake University as their first-choice institution may be offered a renewable Drake-sponsored National Merit Scholarship of $1500. Awards are offered automatically (no application required). Finalists who have received a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship are not eligible for this scholarship. The Drake-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship is tuition-specific (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). It is not available for the summer term.

Recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. The scholarship is available for the lesser of 1) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a bachelor’s degree has been earned. Students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

The Noyce Scholarship program provides scholarships, stipends, and enhanced learning opportunities to high achieving students interested in teaching secondary physics, mathematics, chemistry, or computer science. Undergraduate students can apply in either their junior or senior year and receive $15,000 in scholarships per year. The scholarship funds can help students finish their STEM degree and also complete the needed education courses and experiences that lead to teaching licensure.

Graduate students with a bachelor's degree in STEM fields can apply and receive $20,000 of stipends for an extended year of learning that results in teaching licensure.

More information as well as instructions to apply are available here.

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences awards a limited number of renewable Pharmacy Hero Scholarships to entering first-year students from high school who are pursuing Drake’s PharmD program. The Pharmacy Hero Scholarship is a $3,000 award that will be applied to the 5th and 6th years of Drake’s PharmD degree (total of $6,000). More information about this scholarship is available here. 

The Pharmacy Hero Scholarship is tuition-specific (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). It is not available for the summer term. Renewal is contingent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress and remaining a full-time student in the PharmD program. 

Undergraduate transfer students with active membership in Phi Theta Kappa and a cumulative college GPA of 3.5 are eligible for a renewable Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. To be considered, complete the Phi Theta Kappa Adviser Verification Form available here.

Students that have already earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible. Recipients must be enrolled full-time (12+credits) in the fall and spring semesters (not available for summer term). Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Awards are tuition-specific (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). Renewal for a 2^nd year is contingent on a student maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

The Physics Scholarship, which covers full-time tuition charges (12-18 credits) for fall and spring semesters, is a renewable scholarship offered annually to an incoming first-time college student majoring in physics. Summer tuition and fall/spring tuition overload charges (for enrollment exceeding 18 credits) are not covered. More information about this program is available here.

The Physics Scholarship is tuition-specific, and supersedes all other tuition-specific University awards. If a student receives federal, state, or outside-funded awards that are tuition-specific, the Physics Scholarship will be reduced so that the sum of all awards are equal to the student’s cost for tuition (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

Recipients must be enrolled full-time in the physics program and maintain satisfactory academic progress. The scholarship is available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a bachelor’s degree has been earned. Students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs.

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to incoming first-time college students seeking a Bachelor's degree, and is based on academic achievement. Presidential Scholarships are determined automatically at the time of admission for eligible students (no application needed).

Generally, these scholarships are available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a student earns a bachelor’s degree. However, students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs. Renewal for Presidential Scholarships is contingent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Scholarships are renewed for the amount awarded at the time of admission.

Presidential Scholarships are available only to students who are enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in the fall and spring semesters (not available for summer term). They are tuition-specific awards (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

The Presidential Transfer Award is available to incoming undergraduate transfer students who are seeking their first bachelor’s degree. Scholarships are based on academic achievement. Presidential Transfer Awards are determined automatically at the time of admission for eligible students (no application needed).

Generally, these scholarships are available for the lesser of a) four years of undergraduate study, or b) until a student earns a bachelor’s degree. However, students enrolled in blended undergraduate and graduate programs (Law 3+3, Pharmacy, MATR 3+2, OTD 3+3) should review Program-Specific Policies to understand the structure of financial aid and billing in those programs. Renewal for Presidential Scholarships is contingent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Scholarships are renewed for the amount awarded at the time of admission.

Presidential Transfer Awards are available only to students who are enrolled full-time (12+ credits) in the fall and spring semesters (not available for summer term). They are tuition-specific awards (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information).

The Student Senate Endowed Scholarship is a renewable scholarship available to an employee or dependent of Drake's food service provider. Renewal is contingent on the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress. This scholarship is tuition-specific (see Cost Specificity of Awards for more information). To apply, complete the application here. 

First-time students who are offered a Vote Smart Internship through Drake University may receive a $1,000 one-time scholarship for the semester of their internship. For more information, contact the Office of Admission.