Scholarships

We know how expensive college can be.

It’s the main concern from students when discussing study abroad opportunities. WLC can help!

Each academic year the department recognizes the work of outstanding majors and minors in World Languages and Cultures through departmental awards and scholarships. Students who receive scholarships, as well as those who receive other honors for their exemplary performance in departmental courses, will be recognized at the annual World Languages and Cultures Awards ceremony held each April.

The departmental scholarships available to students this year are:

  • Elizabeth Rectanus Memorial Scholarship
  • Van Iten Study Abroad Scholarship
  • Walter L. and Patricia M. Chatfield Scholarship
  • Louise S. Semmons Scholarship
  • Ronald A. Schubert Scholarship
  • Marcus Aurelius Scholarship
  • World Languages and Cultures Scholarship
  • LCP Global Scholarship
  • Tjaden Family Scholarship in Languages and Cultures for the Profession
  • Anthropology Alumni Support Scholarship

More International Studies scholarships can be found here.

Additional scholarship opportunities may be available from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and LAS Study Abroad.

To be considered for the WLC scholarships, go to the OneApp application. After submitting the general and college sections of the application, apply to the “Department of World Languages and Cultures Scholarships” recommended opportunity to considered for the scholarships described here.

Important dates:

  • September 1: OneApp opens
  • March 1: WLC Scholarship application deadline
  • April 21: WLC Awards Ceremony

Elizabeth Rectanus Memorial Scholarship

Elizabeth Rectanus served as Academic Advisor and lecturer in World Languages and Cultures for over sixteen years, until her retirement from ISU in 2013. Elizabeth was passionate about German language and culture and traveled annually to Germany. She passed away in early 2016. In honor of Elizabeth, this scholarship was established for a student who will be studying in Germany during the summer or upcoming academic year.

Van Iten Study Abroad Scholarship

This award is given from a bequest by Helga and Richard Van Iten, longtime Iowa State faculty members. Helga Van Iten was an Assistant Professor of German, and Richard Van Iten was a Professor of Philosophy. The award is open to full-time undergraduate students in German who are participating in a study abroad experience. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA and one or more letter of support from a German instructor.

Louise Semmons Scholarship

This scholarship is given in the name of Louise Semmons, who was an Iowa State graduate. Ms. Semmons left money for this purpose in her will. The scholarship is awarded to students who must be junior or senior language students who have above-average grades and have participated in foreign language activities on campus. Up to six awards may be given annually.

Alfred P. Kehlenbeck Scholarship

This scholarship is given in honor of Dr. Alfred P. Kehlenbeck, Chair of the Department from 1950 to 1969. Dr Kehlenbeck was a Professor of German who had a great interest in all students in the department. The scholarship may be awarded to any language major who is preparing to teach. Secondary consideration will be given to language majors who plan to study abroad in their target language within the next academic year.

Ronald A. Schubert Scholarship

This award is given annually from a fund established by Ronald A. Schubert, an alumnus of Iowa State’s Department of World Languages and Cultures. The scholarship is awarded to a student from a rural Iowa background who is majoring in German or Spanish.

The Staky Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship

The Staky Foundation Study Abroad Scholarships, generously provided by ISU Alumni Laurel and Richard Staky, is meant to provide access to study abroad experiences for ISU students with the hope that they will gain cultural understanding and be better equipped to work and live successfully in our increasingly global society. This award is granted annually to students with a language major or minor AND a major in the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business. Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and demonstrated financial need.

Mary Ann Bielenberg-Hill Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Charles C. Hill in memory of Mary Ann Bielenberg-Hill, a 1965 graduate of Iowa State University. The scholarship is awarded to students who are enrolled in the Department of World Languages and Cultures and intend to teach a world language. Recipients must have a verified financial need and a minimum cumulative grade point of 3.0. Preference will be given to residents of Greene County, Iowa.

The Marcus Aurelius Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes outstanding students who are majors or minors in Classical Studies and provides funding towards their educational expenses. This scholarship is supported by a private donor, to whom we are very grateful indeed for long-standing support of so many Iowa Statestudents. This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students enrolled in the Classical Studies program who have completed their third semester of Greek or Latin. Preference shall be given to applicants in the following priority order: a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; demonstrated financial need.

WLC Expanding Horizons

The WLC Expanding Horizons Scholarship will be awarded to support tuition expenses of a first generation college student. The applicant must be majoring or minoring in World Languages and Cultures, have at least a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0, and be a first generation college student.

The Tjaden Family Scholarship in Languages and Cultures for Professions

The Tjaden family has established this scholarship to encourage students to become global citizens through the LCP program in the Department of World Languages and Cultures. Recipients must be continuing students, enrolled in the LCP secondary major, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and be participating in a study abroad opportunity in the summer or following academic year. Students from any class standing are eligible to apply.

The Languages and Cultures for Professions (LCP) Global Scholarship Program

The LCP program announces a new scholarship program funded and supported with a generous grant from John Deere.

Scholarships up to $2000 will be awarded to students participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program or an approved international internship.

To be eligible, applicants must possess a minimum overall grade point overage of 3.0 and be declared major in Languages and Cultures for Professions with a primary major in any of the following:

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Marketing
  • Agriculture Economics
  • Supply Chain and Information Systems

LCP Global Professional Award

This award is given to exemplary students in the LCP program.  Awardees are nominated by the faculty.

Shu-Min Huang East Asian Studies Research Award

Anthropology at ISU offers a research award for an anthropology student who wishes to do research in East Asian studies. The award is for research support and/or travel to East Asia for the purpose of carrying out research. One award for $300 will be awarded each spring semester. The applicant may be an undergraduate or graduate student majoring or minoring in anthropology at Iowa State University who demonstrates a strong interest in East Asian studies. The grant is intended to supplement travel and research expenses.

The applicant must submit a one-page proposal describing their personal interests in East Asian studies, the nature of the proposed research and its significance, any previous research or relevant course work in East Asian studies, and how this award will enhance such research interests and goals. Applications will be reviewed by faculty. In addition to the cash award, the recipient’s name will be recorded on the Shu-min Huang East Asian Studies Research Award plaque.

Nancy R. Coinman Award for Anthropolgical Research

This award is meant to support the research of a graduate student focusing on the subfields of archaeology or biological anthropology.

The applicant must be a graduate student with a strong interest in anthropological research. The applicant must submit a one-page proposal describing their research and significance, any previous research or relevant course work in Anthropology, and how the award will enhance research interests and goals.

Alumni Support for Anthropology Awards

The Alumni Support awards provide scholarships to students who have demonstrated their commitment to pursuing anthropology outside the classroom. The applicant must have at least a 3.5 GPA.