Luther College announces new and expanded scholarships for incoming students

DECORAH, IOWA—Luther College is expanding its scholarships and awards offered to students who enroll starting next fall. The new awards include increased amounts for academic merit scholarships and a new scholarship for first-generation students. These changes, which are available to both first-year and transfer students, are meant to broaden the accessibility of a Luther education by keeping tuition affordable.

For incoming students beginning in 2024, the college has expanded the Luther College Iowa and Minnesota Impact Award that offers four years of free tuition for qualified students; it was previously only available to students residing in Iowa. To qualify for the Impact Award, students must either live in Iowa or Minnesota, achieve a certain threshold of academic excellence, have a family adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less and live on campus.

“Luther College is excited to extend our Iowa Impact Award to students in Minnesota considering Luther for the upcoming year and beyond,” said Karen Hunt, vice president for enrollment management. “With our location in the Driftless Region, so close to the Minnesota border, we want to do all we can to make our distinctive and transformative education at Luther College affordable for students in both states.”

Luther has also increased the amount for academic merit scholarships. Once students are admitted to Luther College, they are automatically awarded merit scholarships based on their academic performance. Luther has increased the amounts of the five scholarships by several thousand dollars each. For example, incoming students who earn the Founders Scholarship – the highest merit-based scholarship – will receive $34,000 each year. Previously, the scholarship awarded $28,000 per year to help with tuition costs, an increase of more than 20 percent.

“Overall, we’re always seeking to make Luther accessible and affordable for students. We take information and adapt to what students need,” said Katie Moon, regional admissions counselor for Luther based in Minneapolis. “When students are accepted to Luther, the very first scholarship they receive is the merit scholarship because we want them to know from the beginning Luther is an affordable option.”

“Luther College is committed to rewarding students for their academic excellence and providing access to a top national college,” Hunt said.

The college has also added the First Generation Award, which aims to assist students whose parents do not hold a bachelor’s degree by providing $2,000 each year. Luther has also added the Campus Visit Award, which provides $1,000 per year to first-year and transfer students who visit Luther’s campus before enrolling.

Luther College is committed to affordability, with 100 percent of students receiving some sort of financial aid. In fall 2022, Luther students were gifted nearly $50 million from more than 850 different funds.

“I’m extremely proud to work at an institution that offers competitive scholarships for students of all backgrounds,” said Matt Beatty, director of admissions at Luther. “While there is increased skepticism about the value of a four-year college degree, Luther continues to offer a broad range of financial awards that reduce the overall out-of-pocket costs to families.”

About Luther College

At Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Luther’s academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.