Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
Closes15 Dec, 2026

Iowa State University offers the Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence as a merit-based scholarship for high-achieving international undergraduate students. The Dean’s Award provides meaningful financial support by reducing undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees. As a mid-tier award, it helps make studying at Iowa State University more affordable for international students. Moreover, the scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters or until degree completion, provided students meet academic progress requirements. Typically, recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA, which is slightly lower than the requirement for the President’s Award. As a result, students receive continued support while focusing on their academic growth and university experience.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

All fields

GPA / Grade

GPA 2.5

Languages

DuoLingo English Test 105, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 71

Tests

ACT 25, SAT 1200

Study Levels

Bachelor's, BS, Undergraduate

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Result Date

Program Start

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award Amount$48,000
Deadline15 Dec, 2026
LevelBachelor's, BS, Undergraduate
InstitutionIowa State University
CountryUnited States
ModeOnline
TypePartially funded

Apply Now

Iowa State University offers the Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence as a merit-based scholarship for high-achieving international undergraduate students. The university automatically considers admitted first-year international applicants for this award under its International Student Excellence Award program. It evaluates students primarily on high school academic performance, especially GPA and standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT. Therefore, students do not need to submit a separate scholarship application, as the university assesses eligibility during the admission process.

Background and Purpose

Iowa State University established the Dean’s Award to recognize strong academic talent among international students and to support their access to higher education in the United States. The university aims to attract capable students from diverse countries and academic backgrounds. In addition, the award helps reduce financial barriers that may prevent students from pursuing undergraduate studies abroad. As part of the broader excellence scholarship framework, it promotes academic achievement and global diversity within the university community.

Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence Benefits

The Dean’s Award provides meaningful financial support by reducing undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees. As a mid-tier award, it helps make studying at Iowa State University more affordable for international students. Moreover, the scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters or until degree completion, provided students meet academic progress requirements. Typically, recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA, which is slightly lower than the requirement for the President’s Award. As a result, students receive continued support while focusing on their academic growth and university experience.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, students must be international first-year applicants admitted to Iowa State University. The university evaluates academic performance through high school GPA and standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT. Additionally, students must be assessed at international tuition rates to qualify for the award. However, the Dean’s Award cannot be combined with the International Merit Scholarship. Therefore, students receive only one major merit-based scholarship based on their academic profile.

Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence Application Process

The application process is automatic and does not require a separate scholarship form. Once students apply for admission to Iowa State University, the university reviews their academic records for scholarship consideration. Therefore, applicants should focus on submitting strong academic documents and test scores during the admission process. After evaluation, eligible students are selected and informed through their admission decision or official university communication.

Opportunities for Scholars

The Dean’s Award allows international students to study at a reputable and research-focused university with reduced financial pressure. Scholars gain access to strong academic programs, modern facilities, and a diverse campus environment. In addition, students can participate in internships, leadership activities, student organizations, and career development programs. Iowa State University is well known for excellence in engineering, agriculture, business, science, and technology. Overall, the scholarship helps students build academic confidence, gain global exposure, and prepare for successful future careers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for these scholarships?

It is open to incoming international first-year students who have been admitted to Iowa State University and meet required GPA and standardized test score combinations.

Do students need to apply separately for this scholarship?

No, it is automatically awarded to eligible admitted students without a separate scholarship application.

Can this scholarship be combined with other awards?

No, it cannot be combined with the International Merit Scholarship or other International Excellence Awards.