Scholarships

The cost of your education is an important factor to you—and it’s important to us, too. Mount Mercy University offers generous scholarships to help make your education affordable.

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First-Year Student Scholarships

The scholarship information below applies to the 2025-2026 academic year.

View scholarship amounts for 24-25 academic year (PDF link).

  • $24,000 Presidential Scholarship: GPA of 3.9 or higher
  • $23,000 Distinguished Scholarship: GPA of 3.75–3.89
  • $22,000 Dean's Scholarship: GPA of 3.5–3.74
  • $21,000 Collegiate Scholarship: GPA of 3.25–3.49
  • $20,000 Founder's Scholarship: GPA 3.24 and below
  • Must be enrolled full-time to receive full award
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Only open to incoming first-year students beginning in the fall semester. 

  • Need-based free tuition award
  • Income guidelines apply
  • FAFSA must be filed by July 1 in first year, May 1 in subsequent years
  • Must be Iowa resident and graduate from an Iowa high school
  • Must be enrolled full-time
  • Student will be required to live on-campus
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree
  • Bridges the gap between financial aid and anticipated tuition and fees cost
  • Learn more about the Catherine McAuley Scholarship
  • Awarded to entering full-time students academically eligible to compete in NAIA athletic events
  • Coaches of each sport with work with the athletic director and Student Financial Services Office to award the scholarship
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award.

  • Scholarships are open to incoming first-year and transfer students, no matter the major
  • Music scholarships for both new first-year and transfer students are determined by the band, choir, or show choir director
  • Students honored with All-State selection are awarded minimum of $5,000 annually for four years or eight semesters
  • Audition can increase scholarship up to $8,000
  • To be eligible, you must be admitted to Mount Mercy as a full-time, degree-seeking student
  • Priority date for first-year students audition/interviews is March 1
  • Learn more about the scholarships and schedule an audition
Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award.

  • Scholarships in the areas of art & design and writing
  • Open to all majors
  • Yearly scholarships of up to $3,000 for incoming first-year students and up to $2,000 for transfer students are available
  • Renewable annually for up to four years or attainment of a bachelor's degree
  • Priority deadline for first-year student submissions is March 1
  • Learn more about the scholarships and submit your portfolio or writings

Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award.

  • Visit campus prior to July 1 (fall entry) or December 1 (spring entry)
  • Submit your FAFSA
  • Must be enrolled full-time
  • See our visit page to schedule an individual visit or view upcoming group visit days

Open to incoming first-year transfer students who:

  • Have a sibling, parent, or grandparent who is a graduate of Mount Mercy
  • Have a sibling, parent, or grandparent who is a current student at Mount Mercy and enrolled full-time, or has graduated from Mount Mercy
  • Must be enrolled full-time
  • Prospective students must note on their application of the relative who is a graduate or current student in order to qualify.
    • For those who have a relative currently attending, both incoming and current students will receive the award 
    • If a student finds out after submitting an application but before attendance at Mount Mercy begins that they have a qualifying family member, they can contact admission@mtmercy.edu and an adjustment can be made.
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

High school students can receive an annual $1,000 scholarship by successfully participating in Honors.

For any program-specific questions, please contact the Adam Myers, director of our Honors Program, at amyers@mtmercy.edu.

Apply by March 1!

  • Awarded to anyone who identifies as Catholic, as indicated on their admission application 
  • Must enroll with full-time status
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Open to incoming first-year students and transfer students who are majoring in social work.

  • Must be admitted to Mount Mercy
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree as long as you stay in the social work program
  • Must enroll as full-time
  • Submit your application

  • Cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Must declare a business major of some type: accounting, finance, human resource management, management, or marketing
  • Must be enrolled full-time 
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree
  • Submit your application 

  • Must be an incoming first-year student
  • Must declare an education major
  • Must be enrolled full-time
  • Renewable annually for up to four years or attainment of a bachelor's degree
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Submit your application 

  • Need-based
  • Awarded to students who reside outside of Iowa
  • Must File a FAFSA to determine eligibility

  • Need-based grants, based on FAFSA results

Transfer Scholarships

The scholarship information below applies to the 2025-2026 academic year.

View scholarship amounts for 24-25 academic year (PDF link).

  • Must be enrolled full-time to receive full award
  • Awards will be reduced for part-time enrollment
  • Must be enrolled a minimum of 6 hours to receive a partial award
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

  • Awarded to entering full-time students academically eligible to compete in NAIA athletic events
  • Coaches of each sport with work with the athletic director and Financial Aid Office to award the scholarship
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their MMU academic award.

  • Scholarships are open to incoming first-year and transfer students, no matter the major
  • Music scholarships for both new freshmen and transfer students are determined by the band, choir, or show choir director.
  • Students honored with All-State selection are awarded minimum of $5,000 annually for 4 years or eight semesters
  • Audition can increase scholarship up to $8,000
  • To be eligible, you must be admitted to Mount Mercy as a full-time, degree-seeking student
  • Priority date for audition/interviews is March 1
  • Learn more about the scholarships and schedule an audition

Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award.

  • Scholarships in the areas of art & design and writing
  • Open to all majors
  • Yearly scholarships of up to $3,000 for incoming freshmen and up to $2,000 for transfer students are available
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree
  • Priority deadline for first-year student submissions is March 1
  • Learn more about the scholarships and submit your portfolio or writings

Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award.

  • Visit campus prior to July 1 (fall entry) or December 1 (spring entry)
  • Submit your FAFSA
  • Must be enrolled full-time
See our visit page to schedule an individual visit or view upcoming group visit days

Open to incoming first-year transfer students who:

  • Have a sibling, parent, or grandparent who is a graduate of Mount Mercy
  • Have a sibling, parent, or grandparent who is a current student at Mount Mercy and enrolled full-time, or has graduated from Mount Mercy
  • Must be enrolled full-time
  • Prospective students must note on their application of the relative who is a graduate or current student in order to qualify.
    • For those who have a relative currently attending, both incoming and current students will receive the award 
    • If a student finds out after submitting an application but before attendance at Mount Mercy begins that they have a qualifying family member, they can contact admission@mtmercy.edu and an adjustment can be made
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Open to incoming transfer Phi Theta Kappa students only.

  • For students admitted prior to July 1 (fall entry) or December 1 (spring entry)
  • Member of Phi Theta Kappa
  • Must be enrolled full-time 
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa will automatically receive the Phi Theta Kappa Award ($1,000/academic year).

Transfer students who wish to enroll in the Honors Program apply here.

Transfer students who have successfully completed Honors courses at other colleges and universities may petition for the courses to apply towards Honors requirements at Mount Mercy. For any program-specific questions, please contact the program director at rbarrett@mtmercy.edu.

  • Awarded to anyone who identifies as Catholic, as indicated on their admission application 
  • Must enroll with full-time status
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of bachelor's degree, whichever comes first

Open to incoming first-year students and transfer students who are majoring in social work.

  • Must be admitted to Mount Mercy
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree as long as you stay in the social work program
  • Must enroll as full-time
  • Submit your application

  • For veterans transferring directly from any community college 

  • Need-based
  • Awarded to students who reside outside of Iowa
  • Must File a FAFSA to determine eligibility

  • Need-based grants, based on FAFSA results

International Scholarships

The scholarship information below applies to the 2025-26 academic year.

  • Available to students in traditional undergraduate programs.
  • Must be enrolled full-time to receive the full award
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

  • Awarded to entering full-time students academically eligible to compete in NAIA athletic events
  • Coaches of each sport with work with the athletic director and Student Financial Services Office to award the scholarship
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree

Note: Students may only receive one athletic, creative talent, or music scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award 

  • Scholarships are open to incoming first-year and transfer students, no matter the major
  • Music scholarships for both new freshmen and transfer students are determined by the band, choir, or show choir director.
  • Students honored with All-State selection are awarded minimum of $5,000 annually for 4 years or eight semesters
  • Audition can increase scholarship up to $8,000
  • To be eligible, you must be admitted to Mount Mercy as a full-time, degree-seeking student
  • Priority date for audition/interviews is March 1
  • Learn more about the scholarships and schedule an audition

Note: Students may only receive one music, creative talent, or athletic scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award.

  • Scholarships in the areas of art & design, music, and writing
  • Open to all majors
  • $2,000 available for full-time transfer students
  • $3,000 available for incoming full-time freshmen
  • Auditions and interviews available individually and online
  • Renewable annually for up to 4 years or attainment of a bachelor's degree
  • Learn more about the scholarships

Note: Students may only receive one athletic, creative talent, or music scholarship in addition to their Mount Mercy academic award 

  • Visit campus virtually or in-person prior to July 1 (fall entry) or December 1 (spring entry)
  • Must be enrolled full-time
See our visit page to schedule a virtual visit or view upcoming in-person Visit Days.

State & Federal Programs or Grants

Iowa high school or community college students with SAI’s under $16,000 are eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant. Don’t miss out on this grant that's awarded in addition to any university or federal awards you might receive!

  • Need-based
  • Must reside in Iowa
  • Must complete FAFSA by July 1
  • *Amount determined by Iowa Legislature

  • Need-based
  • Apply by filing a FAFSA
  • Award determined by number of credit hours student is taking and Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • No repayment required unless student changes credit hours or withdraws from school

  • Must file a FAFSA
  • Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled in a qualified teacher education program
  • Students must also sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS) that obligates them to teach for 4 years within 8 years of completing or ceasing enrollment in a TEACH grant eligible program
  • If obligation is not met the grant converts to an unsubsidized loan and must be repaid with interest
  • A student must teach in a low income elementary or secondary school in a high need field
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.25 must be maintained
  • Learn more

  • Need based. Eligibility determined by a FAFSA review

Outside Scholarship Opportunities

If you are seeking additional scholarship opportunities beyond your eligibility for Federal Student Aid and earned Mount Mercy University awards, you can use the information below. There are many schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups and professional or social organizations that offer scholarships. Be careful when searching for outside scholarships; you should never have to pay to find or apply for outside scholarships.

You may utilize these sources for more information about outside scholarships:

    • Mount Mercy University Financial Aid Office
    • Your high school counselor
    • Foundations, religious or community organizations and local businesses
    • Organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
    • Ethnic or religious-based organizations you are affiliated with
    • Your employer or your parents’ employers
Other scholarship applications and scholarship finders:

Statement

Your Mount Mercy academic scholarship or grant is funded, in whole or part, by Mount Mercy University's endowed and annual funds. These endowed and annual funds are a result of the generous gifts made to the university by both individual and corporations.

To encourage the continued support of these donors and to obtain funding for future students, you may be asked to write a thank you to those that have helped fund your academic award. By assisting Mount Mercy University in this way, you are helping the university maintain our level of academic funding to our students.

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