Scholarships

There are at least 2 ways to get funding to help cover the cost of tuition at UNI.  There are WGS program specific scholarships and there is the Graduate College Tuition Scholarship. All WGS sponsored scholarship applications should be sent directly to wgs@uni.edu by their due date. All Graduate College Tuition Scholarship applications are submitted through the Graduate College website. New student applicants are encouraged to apply.  

Graduate College Tuition Scholarship is a monetary award that help to pay tuition costs and are awarded as a half or as a full at the in-state tuition rate. It does not cover mandatory fees.

Students receiving these awards will see their scholarship(s) posted to their U-bill by the first day of the semester. A Graduate College Tuition Scholarship does not qualify a student for the resident tuition rate. Students are responsible for the amount of their tuition and fees that the scholarship does not cover. 

Both scholarships are processed through the Financial Aid Office and do not require any work or services to receive this award.

Women's & Gender Studies

WGS Program Scholarships

Frances L. Webster Scholarship

This is a $500 tuition scholarship that is offered to either one WGS master student or SWAG minor student each year.

Details

WGS or SWAG Scholarship - $500 Tuition Award

Eligible Candidates

Anyone with a declared Sexuality, Women and Gender minor or who is a WGS Graduate Student who has completed or is completing at least six hours of Women's and Gender Studies core-required courses, and who will not graduate before December 2023.

Course Examples:

  • Women's and Gender Studies: Introduction
  • Images of Women in Literature
  • United States Women's History
  • Introduction to Women's Health
  • Gender Issues in Communication
  • Men and Masculinities
  • Human Relationships and Sexuality

Criteria

  • Academic achievement (3.0 GPA or better).
  • Involvement in the Women's & Gender Studies program and women's and gender issues.
  • Demonstrates responsibility and initiative.
  • Demonstrates commitment to diversity in activism and scholarship.

What to Submit

A cover letter describing your interest in the academic study of women and gender and your commitment to women's and gender issues; a resume or curriculum vita listing your GPA, past achievements, present endeavors, and/or future goals; names and contact information for two faculty references.  

Due by March 1, 2023

Where to Submit

Frances L. Webster Scholarship Committee 
c/o Staycie Lyman 
Women's and Gender Studies Program 
University of Northern Iowa
225 Sabin Hal 
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0509
wgs@uni.edu

How to Submit

Materials may be submitted electronically (in word or PDF files) or by mail.

For questions about this scholarship, please contact the Women's and Gender Studies office at WGS@uni.edu or (319) 273-7102. 

Agathon Scholarship

This is a $1000 scholarship awarded to a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to, and an active role, in LGBT issues. Both undergraduate and graduate applications are welcome, however WGS graduate students will be given preference.

Details
UNI Women's and Gender Studies Scholarship - $1000

Eligible Candidates

The Agathon Fellowship provides an annual financial award to a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to, and an active role in, support of LGBT issues. Graduate students are encouraged to apply, with preference given to Women's and Gender Studies graduate students.

Criteria

  • Academic achievement (3.0 GPA or better).
  • Must be enrolled as a full-time student at UNI for the 2023-2024 academic year.

What to Submit

  • A 1-2 page written statement addressing how you have demonstrated a strong commitment to, and an active role in, the support of LGBT issues, and how you plan to continue to do so during the scholarship academic year.
  • An academic transcript (an official copy is required for non-UNI applicants). **If you applied to our program, you do not need to send a second copy of your transcript.
  • Two letters of recommendation, with at least one that addresses your commitment and active role in LGBT issues. Recommenders should send their letters directly to the Women's and Gender Studies program.
  • Resume or Curriculum Vita

Due by March 1, 2023

Where to Submit

Agathon Scholarship Committee
c/o Staycie Lyman
Women's and Gender Studies Program
University of Northern Iowa
225 Sabin Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0509
wgs@uni.edu

How to Submit

Materials may be submitted electronically (in Word or PDF files) or by mail.

For questions about this scholarship, please contact the Women's and Gender Studies office at wgs@uni.edu or (319) 273-7102.

Outstanding Graduate Paper Award

This annual competition is designed to encourage and reward graduate scholars on their research in the area of gender issues. We welcome all academic discipline submissions. The prize includes a $100 cash award and being spotlighted as our final SWAG Forum presenter for the academic year. 

Details
Outstanding Graduate Paper Award 2023

Deadline: March 1, 2023

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGS) is pleased to announce the competition for the 2022-2023 Outstanding Graduate Paper Award. This award will be presented at our final SWAG (Sexuality, Women and Gender) Forum on Monday, April 3, 2023 at noon in Rod Library's Scholarspace.

This annual competition is designed to encourage and reward graduate scholars on their research in the area of gender issues. We welcome all academic discipline submissions. Submissions are blind-reviewed by a WGS committee comprised of our affiliated faculty members.

The prize includes a $100 cash award and being spotlighted as our final SWAG Forum presenter for the 2022-2023 academic year. 

To be considered for the 2022-2023 prize, applicants should submit either by mail or email (Word or PDF) the following materials to Staycie Lyman by March 1, 2023.

Completed Cover Letter

  • Indicate the submission source, i.e., class paper, or project, chapter from thesis, etc.
  • 150-200 word abstract summarizing its purpose and content

Paper Submission

  • Title
  • Paper exploring gender issues and or gender identity intersections
  • Paper may include but not limited to:

A chapter from a Master’s thesis
A paper submitted for a course at UNI as a graduate student
A conference paper
A creative project

  • If submitting a portion from a larger body of work, i.e., please submit an abstract of the entire work

A brief working bibliography

  • Biographical statement for author(s) (one paragraph with no more than 100 words to use for the poster and promotional materials)
  • Name and email address of student’s committee chair

Where to submit:

Outstanding Graduate Paper Award
c/o Staycie Lyman
WGS Program
225 Sabin Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0509
wgs@uni.edu

Questions? Contact the Women's and Gender Studies office at (319) 273-7102 or wgs@uni.edu 

Yang Travel Award

This fund is to be used to provide travel support for undergraduates and graduate students of the Women's and Gender Studies Program pursuing studies and/or research outside of the United States.

Details
Alice Yang WGS Study Abroad Scholarship Award

Alice Yang, a WGS alumna, has graciously created a scholarship for WGS students to study abroad. The award can go toward tuition, airline tickets, transportation, and/or housing. The applicant must use the funds in the pursuit of a study abroad program, research, or an internship outside of the United States. 

Applicants can apply for funding up to $700. Applicants MUST submit a Student Request for WGS Study Abroad Travel Funds form of expenses to justify the amount being requested. 

Any declared Women's and Gender Studies student (MA or SWAG minor) who has completed or is completing at least nine hours of WGS required courses, and who will not graduate before December 2023.

If you are interested:

More information about this award is available here. Please send completed applications to wgs@uni.edu by April 1, 2023. Additional funding might be available throughout the year. Please contact the Women's and Gender Studies office at wgs@uni.edu with any further questions or concerns and inquiries. 

Graduate College Tuition Scholarship

The Graduate College of the University of Northern Iowa, has funding to help Graduate Students. Our program is typically awarded funding to help our students in the way of Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships.  Because we do not get funding for 100% of our students, this can be very competitive as we are limited to how much we receive. We strongly encourage all of our students to apply early.  To be considered for tuition scholarship, you MUST apply by February 1st. Even if your application isn't complete, we encourage you to apply for the funding by this date. 

You can apply for a WGS tuition scholarship here.