George Washington Carver Program

GWC Stats

29

Current Carver Scholars come from across the country representing 29 states and US territories.

After receiving his education at Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State University), Dr. Carver gained an international reputation during his career at Tuskegee University. His research resulted in the creation of 325 products from peanuts, more than 100 products from sweet potatoes, and hundreds more from a dozen other plants native to the South. These products contributed to rural economic improvement by offering alternative crops to cotton that were beneficial for the farmers and for the land. Carver was ISU's first Black graduate and faculty member. Since 1999, one hundred full-tuition scholarships are awarded to incoming undergraduate US first-year students directly out of high school as part of the George Washington Carver (GWC) Academy program.

The Carver Academy is a collection of curious and motivated scholars working toward their personal and professional goals alongside staff and members of the GWC Faculty Council. Students participate in coursework, research, service, and events to bolster their holistic development. Carver Scholars are part of a long legacy of excellence beginning with Dr. George Washington Carver and continuing on into the next generation.

Eligibility criteria will be shared soon--stop back in the fall!

One hundred full-tuition scholarships are awarded to incoming undergraduate US first-year students directly out of high school as part of the George Washington Carver (GWC) Scholarship program. This award opportunity is available to students enrolling at Iowa State for 2024. The scholarship is worth full undergraduate tuition for in-state students at a value of $8,678/year or out-of-state students at a value of $25,162/year based on current tuition rates.

January 10, 2024 is the deadline to apply. The application asks for two essays; the first has a limit of 3 sentences and the second has a limit of 500 words.

Students will be notified by March 2024 if they are selected to receive the GWC Full-Tuition Scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for an additional three years (for a total of four years or eight semesters of undergraduate study), provided the student maintains a cumulative 2.50 Iowa State grade point average, and each academic year completes 24 new credit hours at the university. Students must also remain continuously enrolled and enroll in and successfully complete the UST 105 and UST 106 courses. The scholarship is not need-based, but we ask all students who want to be considered for the award to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Because the GWC Scholarship is valued at full tuition, recipients are NOT eligible to receive the following awards: Academic Recognition Award, Award for Competitive Excellence, Cardinal Leadership Scholar Award, Nonresident Initiative to Commend Excellence, Return to Iowa--Generations Scholarship, Multicultural Vision Program Tuition Scholarship, Science Bound Tuition Scholarship, and the ISU Grant. Recipients may use other scholarships awarded by Iowa State as well as outside scholarships and grants (including the Federal Pell Grant) to pay for room and board, fees, books and personal expenses. Please note that fees are separate from tuition.

Year One

Attend the GWC Orientation Wednesday, August 16, 2024 from 3:00pm-5:00pm
Attend the GWC First-Year Retreat
Complete and pass U ST 105 (fall) and U ST 106 (spring)
Maintain 2.50 cumulative grade point average
Complete 24 new credit hours at Iowa State between fall and spring semester
You must maintain continuous enrollment

Year Two

Complete 10 hours of community service during the fall and spring of the second years.
Maintain 2.50 cumulative grade point average
Complete 24 new credit hours at Iowa State between fall and spring semester
You must maintain continuous enrollment

Year Three

Complete 5 hours of community service during the fall and spring of the second years.
Maintain 2.50 cumulative grade point average
Complete 24 new credit hours at Iowa State between fall and spring semester
You must maintain continuous enrollment

The purpose of this award is to acknowledge and recognize exceptional graduating Carver scholars at ISU. This recognition will not only reward the students who have achieved excellence but also motivate other Carver students to follow in their paths. Recipients must be graduating seniors with a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA. In addition, using this self-nomination form, the students provide a record of a combination of several or all of the following types of engagement:

Outstanding community service and leadership
Involvement in undergraduate research
Successful internships or cooperative education
Conference attendance and participation/presentations

Graduating Carver scholars, who entered the semester of graduation with a 3.5 cumulative GPA, receive this invitation to apply in order to be considered for this award. The application materials include a self-nomination form, resume, and letter of reference from a faculty or staff member familiar with the scholar's record.

The GWC Faculty Council serve as advisers and resources to GWC students. Current Faculty Council members include:

Tracy Heath, Ph.D. Professor in Charge, Carver Academy and Associate Professor, Ecology, Evolution & Organismal biology | College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Amani Elobeid, Ph.D. Teaching Professor, Economics | College of Agriculture & Life Sciences | College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ayodele Iyanalu Associate Teaching Professor, Architecture I College of Design
Novotny Lawrence, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Greenlee School of Journalism/Communication | College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Betsy Matos, Ph.D. Assistant Director & Biosafety Officer, Environmental Health & Safety | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | bmatos@iastate.edu
Annaleena Parhankangas, Ph.D. Kingland Professor of Entrepreneurship / Associate Professor, Management and Entrepreneurship | Ivy College of Business
Amy Popillion, Ph.D. Teaching Professor, Human Development and Family Studies | College of Human Sciences
James Wright, Ph.D. Associate Teaching Professor Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | College of Engineering | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Mark Mba-Wright, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering | College of Engineering