Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduate Students

Iona University awards merit-based scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students on the basis of their high school or college (in the case of transfer students) test scores and academic ability.

These scholarships are determined by the admissions office at the time of acceptance to the University. You are eligible to receive the offered merit scholarship for four years, or eight semesters of full-time study, as long as you maintain the renewal criteria.

You may only receive one merit-based scholarship.

President’s Scholarship, Heritage Scholarship, Gael Scholarship & Iona Merit Award

• Award Criteria
  • Available to entering freshman students who have earned outstanding academic records.
    Students in the accelerated nursing degree program apply for the Health Professions Scholarship.
• Amount
  • Range from $15,000 - $25,000
• Renewal Criteria
  • Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and remain in good academic standing

Transfer Scholarship & Iona Celtic Scholarship

• Award Criteria
  • Available to entering transfer students who have earned outstanding academic records.
    Students in the accelerated nursing degree program receive the Health Professions Scholarship.
• Amount
  • Range from $13,000 - $19,000
• Renewal Criteria
  • Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and remain in good academic standing

Health Professions Scholarship

• Award Criteria
  • Available to entering Accelerated Degree Nursing Students.
• Amount
  • $3,000 per academic year, may vary by Cohort
• Renewal Criteria
  • Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and remain in good academic standing

Brother Daly Alumni Award

• Award Criteria
  • Student must have a parent that is a graduate of Iona University.
• Amount
  • $1,000
• Renewal Criteria
  • Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Sibling Award

• Award Criteria
  • Siblings must be concurrently enrolled as full-time Iona undergraduate students,
• Amount
  • $1,500
• Renewal Criteria
  • Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Iona University grants athletic awards on a competitive basis to outstanding athletes. Refer to your athletic contract and coaches for specific requirements.

Receipt of an Athletics award could affect your eligibility for merit- or need-based grants.

Founders Grant

The Founders Grant is a need-based grant awarded by the University. Eligibility for this grant is determined by the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the student’s estimated cost of attendance (living in the University Residence Halls, commuting from home and/or taking online classes). Awards are subject to revision and/or cancellation based on your actual enrollment, residence status, verification of income and asset information, or receipt of additional Iona-funded or external awards.

Students in the accelerated nursing degree program receive for the Health Professions Scholarship. See Merit Awards > Health Professions Scholarship.

Iona University participates in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI program. By enrolling in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program and providing additional scholarships that are matched by the government, Iona is able to offer full tuition to 50 qualifying veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

• Amount
  • Up to full-tuition based on student’s GI Bill eligibility.
• Renewal Criteria
  • Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

This award cannot be combined with other Iona-funded awards.

More on Yellow Ribbon Program

The Iona University Gael Service Grant awards recipients with a one-time, $1,000 grant ($500 per semester) for their first year at Iona University.

Recipients are placed in social-justice themed cohorts (affordable housing, environmental concerns, food insecurity, etc.) with other Gael Service Grant recipients during their first year. These cohorts meet throughout the semester to reflect on their service experiences.  

Grant Requirements

• Available to incoming freshman students who are interested in community service. 
• $1,000 for freshman year only 
• Complete 30 hours of community service in an Iona University approved program during their freshman year (15 hours per semester)  
• At least 15 hours must be completed in the fall by December 1 
• At least 15 hours must be completed in the spring by May 1  
• Recipients who do not complete 15 hours of service in the fall semester will not have the Gael Service Grant renewed in the spring semester. 
• Commit to attend ongoing reflections with their cohorts throughout their first year. 
• For first-year students only; Non-renewable in subsequent years 

Possible Service Opportunities for Gael Service Grant Recipients

• Available to incoming freshman students who are interested in community service. 
• $1,000 for freshman year only 
• Complete 30 hours of community service in an Iona University approved program during their freshman year (15 hours per semester)  
• At least 15 hours must be completed in the fall by December 1 
• At least 15 hours must be completed in the spring by May 1  
• Recipients who do not complete 15 hours of service in the fall semester will not have the Gael Service Grant renewed in the spring semester. 
• Commit to attend ongoing reflections with their cohorts throughout their first year. 
• For first-year students only; Non-renewable in subsequent years 
  • Get Moving (Service Based Summer Orientation Program) 
  • Iona in Mission Immersion Trips 
  • Ongoing Service Projects: 
    • Affordable Housing 
    • Children's Programs 
    • Clothing Banks 
    • Persons with Disabilities  
    • Environmental Concerns  
    • Homeless Outreach 
    • Meal Programs 
    • Prison Ministries 
    • Senior Outreach 
    • Tutoring/Educational Programs