SWCCyou Portal

Education Foundation Scholarship Application

Completion of this one application allows applicants to be considered for more than 100 scholarships awarded through the SWCC Education Foundation. These scholarships are awarded based on many criteria. The information provided on the student applications allows college officials to evaluate each student’s accomplishments to determine the best recipient for each scholarship offered.

Scholarships awarded must be utilized at Southwestern Community College during the 2025-26 academic year. 

Application deadline: August 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. CDT.

Applications will not be considered complete until the following required elements are submitted:

• Submission of online scholarship application
• Creative writing essay -The writing assignment is as follows: In 300 words or less, explain how you have helped make your community a better place to live.

No incomplete or late applications will be accepted.

Scholarship application scoring will include grammar, academics, community involvement, educational goals, and the essay.

Trustee Award & Collegiate Scholarship

Trustee Award

Deadline: First day of fall semester classes each academic year

Award: The amount of the award is dependent on the student's total tuition and fees and SWCC Education Foundation scholarships awarded for the academic year. NOTE: Online classes are not covered by this award.

Eligibility: Students must be valedictorians/salutatorians of their high school graduating classes in the respective academic year. Students must enroll full-time and maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade point average each semester to remain eligible for the scholarship.

NOTE: Students must submit a copy of their FINAL OFFICIAL high school transcripts.

Collegiate Scholarship

Deadline: First day of fall semester classes each academic year

Award: $500 each semester for four consecutive semesters (fall and spring)

Eligibility:  Available to current-year high school graduates who rank in the top 15 percent of their class or have achieved a composite ACT score of 25 or above or SAT score of 1150 or above. The student must enroll full-time (minimum of 12 credits) in the semester immediately following high school graduation.  The Collegiate Scholarship will be released in four installments, $500 each, in each academic year's fall and spring semesters. NOTE:  If a student's ACT score is 30 or higher, the total amount of the scholarship goes up to $4,000 for two years (divided out as $1,000 per semester).  Minimum GPA requirements stay the same.

To receive installments, the student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.  Not valid in conjunction with Southwestern's Trustee Award Scholarship.  Students in the tuition remission program do not qualify for this scholarship.

NOTE: Students must submit a copy of their FINAL OFFICIAL high school transcripts.

Southwestern's Education Foundation scholarships are awarded through financial aid. Please understand financial aid eligibility is subject to adjustment or cancellation in the event changes occur in laws, regulations, or appropriations during the period of the award. The college will adjust award amounts to avoid over-awarding based on federal, state, NJCAA, or other regulations that apply to each student's situation. Students are responsible for any difference in their student account balances.

It is the policy of Southwestern Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental or marital status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact: Lana Bartmess, Director of Human Resources/Equity/Title IX Coordinator (faculty or staff), Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, phone, 641.782.1456, or email, TitleIXCoordinator@swcciowa.edu; Kim Bishop, Dean of Students/Deputy Title IX Coordinator (students), Southwestern Community College, 1501 W. Townline St., Creston, IA 50801, phone, 641.782.1413; or email, TitleIXCoordinator@swcciowa.edu; or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone, 312.730.1560, fax, 312.730.1576, or email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.