Step 1 Scholarships - for Counselors
What’s Step 1?
A brand-new, FREE scholarship search tool created for Iowa students and schools
Why promote Step 1 to your students?
- One-Stop Search - local, regional, and national scholarships in one place
- Fast + Relevant Matches - students receive personalized opportunities immediately
- Vetted & Legitimate - no scams, no bait, no for-profit upsells
- Student-Friendly - save, track, and share scholarship lists
- Download a flier to share with your students and families
Counselor Pro Tip
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Why it matters for school counselors
- Track Engagement - view reports of how many students in your building are using the tool
- Add Local Awards at No Cost - list school - or community-specific scholarships so students see them alongside national options - Click here to add your local scholarships
- Counselor Accounts Available - setup your own profile to explore/search
- Strengthen FAFSA Advising and Your DCAP - connect grant/aid awareness to scholarship activity for greater success and report this tool and activity in your DCAP
How to Get Your Students Started
- Share the URL - www.Step1Scholarships.org
- Students create their free profile
- Matches begin immediately - and update over time
Step 1 Scholarship - High School Scholarship Implementation Grants
We are investing in schools that commit to using Step 1 as their primary scholarship tool.
- Competitive application process - awards to schools the best meet criteria
- 25 awards of $2,000
- Funding period: 2026 calendar year
- Funds may be used to:
- Migrate/list local scholarships on Step 1
- Promote FAFSA completion
- Eligibility: Iowa high schools with 9-11 BEDS enrollment under 300 (24-25 data)
- Grants are awarded to the high school counseling program, not to individual counselors
Learn More:
Live overview and Q&A for school staff interested in applying:
• Friday, November 7 - 9 am - Register
• Tuesday, November 11 - 11 am - Register
Click Here to Apply |
