Luther values the talents international students bring to make the college a great institution. To demonstrate its strong commitment to global diversity, Luther strives to meet the financial need of all admitted international students with a combination of merit and need-based financial aid and college-funded work study.

On this page we have compiled a list of scholarships, awards, and grants for which international students may be eligible. There is no separate or additional application, with the exception of the music or other discipline-based scholarships, the ELCA International Women Leaders Scholarship and the StudyIowa Anne Doyle Award. All applicants meeting the priority application deadline will be automatically considered. The awarding is based on a full review of the admissions file, including the applicant's school performance, course rigor, demonstrated need, teacher recommendations, musical talent if applying for a music scholarship, and other established criteria.

Academic Scholarships

The academic scholarship, ranging from $18,000 to $28,000, is called Achievement Award, Martin Luther Scholarship, Dean's Scholarship, President's Scholarship, or Founders Scholarship. It is awarded on the basis of academic performance in school, predicted IB scores, SAT, ACT and/or TOEFL/IELTS/DET test results, and a full review of the admissions file. It is renewable each year for four years, provided a student maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Need-Based Aid

Diversity Enrichment Scholarships are awarded to students from distinctive and broadly diverse backgrounds based on their potential to enrich the educational environment on campus and make positive contributions to the larger world. The scholarship amount varies; it's determined based on demonstrated need and/or potential contributions to enhancing campus life. It is renewable each year for four years as long as a student makes satisfactory academic progress.

Luther International Student Health Insurance Grant, currently valued at $1,600, is awarded to international students to cover the estimated cost of health insurance for one year. The grant is renewed each year.

Luther Transition Grant, valued at $800, is provided for all incoming international students to help them make a smooth adjustment to college life in the U.S. This is a one-time award, and it is intended to help new students pay for expenses related to textbooks, school supplies and other initial personal expenses.

Luther College Work Study, an on-campus job, is guaranteed to every international student who chooses to work on campus. Students earn approximately $3,400 by working 12-13 hours per week during the academic year. The earnings can be saved or used to pay for educational and personal expenses throughout the year.

Special Endowed Scholarships

These endowed or named scholarships were given to Luther as generous gifts from alumni and friends of the college. The scholarship amount and criteria for selection varies. They are generally renewable providing the student is enrolled full-time and making satisfactory academic progress.

The Synneva Hella Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, averaging $2,000 a year, was established to encourage the exchange of students and study opportunities between Luther College and Norway, and is awarded to incoming international student(s) from Norway.

Hervey Endowed Scholarship, averaging $700 a year, was established by Professor Norma Hervey and her husband, William, and is awarded to an academically gifted international student.

Engebret Nelson (Sebo) Hong Scholarship, averaging $2,000 a year, was established by Anna E. Hong in memory of her father, and is awarded to incoming international students who are residents of Norway and who desire to prepare themselves for careers in teaching, government service, business, social service, performing arts, law, or medicine.

Reckling-Chossek Scholarship, averaging $1,200 a year, is awarded to a student(s) who can show demonstrated need, with preference given to someone from Tanzania.

The Wigeland/American-Scandinavian Foundation Scholarship Fund, ranging from $1,600 to $3,500 a year, is awarded to students from one of the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland. 

Music Scholarships

Weston Noble Music Scholarships, ranging from $3,000 to $7,000, recognize incoming students who display outstanding potential for participation in music at Luther, regardless of the chosen major. Students must audition on campus or send in a high quality CD or video recording if the distance they live from Luther makes auditioning on campus impractical. The scholarship is renewable each year for four years provided the student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress, as well as participation in music ensembles and continued growth through private music lessons. For additional details, visit the Music Scholarships page.

Music Lesson Scholarships, Music Lesson Scholarships cover the cost of an applied lesson for students. (30 minutes) Incoming students, majoring in music, may receive this scholarship to develop their musical ability through individual and group instruction at Luther College.

Other Academic Discipline Based Scholarships

Cross Family Fund for Excellence in Nursing Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, is given to the most promising students who indicate nursing as a potential major on their application for admission. It is a one-time award, although all nursing students will receive a scholarship for their clinical study in Rochester.

Robert H. Davis History Scholarship, in the amount of $850, is awarded to incoming students who have been involved in historical activities and completed an essay describing why the student wishes to pursue a major in history. This is a one-time award, for first-year students only. For additional details, visit the History Department Awards page.

Luther Theatre Scholarship, in the amount of $3,000 per year, recognizes incoming students who display outstanding potential for participation in Luther's theatre program, irrespective of the chosen major/minor. Awards are given in two different areas of interest: performance or design/technical theatre. For addition details, visit the Visual and Performing Arts Incoming Student Scholarship page.

Sadie Simonson Memorial Art Scholarship, ranging from $500 to $1,000, is a non-renewable scholarship awarded to incoming students who demonstrate outstanding artistic ability as described in admissions essay and recommendation letters. Students receiving this scholarship are required to enroll in ART 108 Foundations: Drawing or ART 111 Foundations: Sculpture in their first year. For additional details, visit the Art Department Incoming Student Scholarship page.

Lennis Moore Scholarship, award amounts vary, is a non-renewable scholarship for incoming art students. For additional details, visit the Art Department Incoming Student Scholarship page.  

Xie Scholarship for Math, averaging $3,000 to $5,000 a year, is named for Enwei Xie, a Luther graduate (originally from China) who graduated from Luther with majors in Mathematics, physics, and computer science, and is awarded to new international students who intend to major in mathematics and demonstrate the need for financial assistance.

Outside Scholarships for Targeted Populations

Davis United World College (UWC) Scholarships. Luther is one of nearly 100 colleges in the U.S. recognized as a Davis UWC Scholars Program partner school. This scholar program is committed to bringing talented students from every corner of the world to U.S. colleges and universities in hopes of creating international understanding and positive changes in the world. Through the generous philanthropic support funded by one of its founders, Shelby Davis, matriculated UWC graduates attending Luther may receive up to $40,000 (beginning with the class entering in fall 2021) based on need. This scholarship will be renewed each year for four years as long as a student is making satisfactory academic progress.

ELCA International Women Leaders Scholarships. Luther College is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Luther has partnered with the ELCA Global Mission Unit to sponsor talented women leaders from around the world who have been endorsed by global companion churches and who promise to return home at the completion of studies to use their education in service to their communities, the church, and the world. Through the generous support of donors to the ELCA, students attending Luther may receive up to $22,000 in need-based aid plus additional funds for travel, technology, and other expenses. This scholarship will be renewed each year for four years as long as a student is making satisfactory academic progress. 

Other Awards and Scholarships

Luther Legacy Award, in the amount of $1,000, is given to dependent children of Luther alumni. It is renewable as long as the student is enrolled full time and making satisfactory academic progress.

Anne Doyle Award, in the amount of $1,000, is awarded to a new international student who plans to attend a member college or university of StudyIowa, a consortium of which Luther College is a member. The recipient is chosen based on the student's academic record, essays, and recommendation letters. Instruction on how to apply for this scholarship can be found on StudyIowa. This is a one-time award and cannot be renewed.