CFNEIA Awards more than $800,000 in Scholarships, Largest Amount in its History

December 19, 2024

Students pursuing higher education opportunities across Iowa have received financial assistance this fall thanks to scholarships from the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA). The 2024 scholarships total more than $800,000, marking the largest total scholarship award amount in CFNEIA’s 68-year history. This year, CFNEIA awarded 253 scholarships, with an average award amount of $3,164.

“This milestone represents the incredible achievements of our scholarship recipients and the generosity of our fundholders,” said Staci Mueller, CFNEIA’s Director of Scholarship Impact. “We are proud to support these students as they pursue their education and work toward building brighter futures for themselves and their communities.”

Scholarships are increasingly important for students seeking higher education. According to a 2024 survey conducted by Ellucian, 59% of students considered dropping out due to financial stress.

“Higher education costs continue to pose significant barriers for many students,” Mueller added. “That’s why CFNEIA remains committed to providing support, particularly for those with financial need. These scholarships are a testament to the power of education and the generosity of our community.”

CFNEIA scholarships are offered annually for high school seniors, college students, and adults. Awards are based on various criteria, including academic excellence, financial need, pursuit of certain careers or majors, past experiences, and location or high school attended. The 2025 scholarship process will begin on January 10. CFNEIA is the largest independent scholarship provider in Iowa outside of colleges and universities.

For more information on CFNEIA’s scholarship program, visit www.cfneia.org/scholarships. Questions may be directed to Staci Mueller at her email or (319) 243-1359.