Robert D. Blue Scholarship
Treasurer of State of Iowa (Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation)
$500 to $1,000 essay scholarship from the Iowa State Treasurer for Iowa students attending an Iowa college.
- How much
- $500 to $1,000 (varies with fund earnings)
- Who qualifies
- Iowa resident; attending or planning to attend an Iowa college; not a previous recipient; 500-word essay; two non-family recommendations.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual; online application deadline May 31.
- How to apply
- Apply online at rdblue.org by May 31, then mail two recommendation letters and your transcript(s) to the State Treasurer's office
- Have tax returns and your college aid award letter ready
- What you'll need
- essay + recommendation + transcript
- Last checked
- October 21, 2026, against the official page (educate.iowa.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Awarded to Iowa residents who demonstrate literary and scholastic ability and character. Open to high school seniors and current college students attending or planning to attend an Iowa college or university who have not received it before. Scoring: financial need 45%, essay 25%, academic performance 20%, recommendations 10%. Essay (500 words): pick someone from your community (not family) who has shown the responsibilities of a citizen and describe what they've done for your community. Funded from the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation's interest earnings, so the number and size of awards vary; awards have ranged from $500 to $1,000. One-time.
More money from Iowa
- Iowa Tuition Grant (Not-for-Profit)Up to $7,500 per year (2026-27 maximum; 2027-28 amount not yet set)
- All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS)Up to $5,646 per year (2027-28); $5,486 in 2026-27; prorated for part-time
- Kibbie Grant (Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant)Up to $3,100 per year (2026-27), sliding scale by SAI
- Future Ready Iowa GrantUp to $3,000 per year (2026-27), prorated for part-time
- Iowa Workforce Grant & Incentive ProgramUp to $1,125 per semester full-time ($2,250/yr, 2026-27); plus up to $2,000 incentive payment for an Iowa high-demand job
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.