WEST BRANCH, IOWA – The Hoover Presidential Foundation will award over $60,000 in scholarships to Iowa students this year. This is the 27th year of the annual Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award, a scholarship program for Iowa high school juniors. The deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2024.
As many as 15 students will be chosen for the program with each receiving a $1,500 scholarship. In addition, four $10,000 scholarships are awarded for study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university anywhere in the United States. The award program seeks to identify uncommon students during their junior year in high school.
Applicants submit a proposal for a project they want to accomplish, which relates to Herbert Hoover. Hoover was known as a great humanitarian, entrepreneur, engineer, and loved technology and the environment. Students are not evaluated on the basis of grades, test scores, essays, or financial need.
Students are selected each year based on their stated project goal and detailed plans to reach that goal. Finalists spend a required expense-paid weekend in West Branch (just east of Iowa City) during the summer between their junior and senior year. During the weekend, they receive mentoring and assistance developing their projects to aid in their success.
Time is also spent behind the scenes at the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum to help students become more familiar with President Hoover’s ideals regarding humanitarianism and public service. In November of their senior year, finalists make presentations about their projects at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum. At that time, each student receives the $1,500 scholarship, and four are chosen to receive a $10,000 scholarship.
Herbert Hoover, Iowa native and the nation’s 31st president, is the inspiration for the award. He noted, “We believe in equal opportunity for all, but we know that this includes the opportunity to rise to leadership . . . to be uncommon.” The award, funded entirely by private donations, is sponsored by the Hoover Presidential Foundation, a nonprofit support group for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch. Information and applications may be found at www.UncommonStudent.org.
About the Foundation
The Hoover Presidential Foundation promotes and supports the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the National Historic Site, and other programs that enhance the understanding of Herbert Hoover as president and humanitarian.
