McFarlin Scholars Program
Reducing tuition for student leaders
Explore eligibility details for the McFarlin Scholarship, which reduces tuition for incoming students with demonstrated leadership experience and ambition.
McFarlin Scholars Details
Each year, St. Ambrose University provides $4,000 tuition scholarships to four students through the McFarlin Scholars program. SAU awards this scholarship to students who demonstrate leadership experience, have a desire to lead in the future, and demonstrate financial need. Explore the requirements and application process below. The application period for the 2025 McFarlin Scholars program has closed. Please connect with your admissions counselor to explore other scholarship opportunities at SAU.
About McFarlin Scholars
McFarlin Scholarship details
TheMcFarlin Scholarship is given to incoming first-year or transfer students who have leadership experience and ambition and demonstrate financial need. Alongside tuition assistance, recipients will establish a mentorship relationship with an academic dean and participate in community service and leadership opportunities during their tenure at St. Ambrose.
Student eligibility and enrollment requirements:
- First-year or transfer student who is fully admitted and plans to enroll at St. Ambrose University
- Iowa residency
- FAFSA submission
- Leadership experience and a desire to lead in the future
- Willingness to participate in mentorship meetings with academic dean
- Willingness to participate in community service and leadership opportunities
- Scholarship is renewable each year for four years
Four McFarlin Scholars are selected each year. All eligbility factors are considered in the selection process, with preference given to incoming students who have leadership experience and ambition, demonstrate financial need, have an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and reside in Iowa, with further preference given to applicants from Davenport high schools or rural Iowa schools.
The McFarlin Scholarship is disbursed following a straightforward process:
- Disbursement occurs at the beginning of each term.
- Funds are directly credited to your account and applied toward tuition.
- Funds are disbursed each semester throughout your undergraduate program.
Experience the seamless financial support of the McFarlin Scholarship at each stage of your academic pursuit.
How to apply for the McFarlin Scholarship
Applying for a scholarship is easy. Follow these steps.
Apply to SAU
To qualify for the McFarlin Scholarship, you need to apply to SAU and meet eligibility requirements. Complete the application and enroll at SAU.
Prepare your personal statement
Write a 400 word response outlining your leadership experience, your desire to lead in the future, and how you hope to contribute as a student leader at St. Ambrose University.
Submit your application
Submit your application for the McFarlin Scholarship by April 1.
About Bonnie McFarlin
Lavonne Grace McFarlin, known to her friends as Bonnie, was a friendly and outgoing woman who loved life and learning. Bonnie loved to make new friends wherever she went.
Bonnie and her husband Dale moved to Davenport and purchased a six-plex near Vander Veer Park, a few blocks from St. Ambrose. They walked around the park and St. Ambrose campus regularly, and were taken by the friendliness of students and staff. Bonnie and her husband were not blessed with children of their own so they enjoyed getting to know the students and hearing about their education. Thus began a 40-year relationship with the university.
As they began to accumulate wealth and Dale's health issues arose, Bonnie and Dale discussed what to do with their estate. Both Bonnie and Dale felt that the ability to achieve a college education was an important part of everyone's future. They felt that St. Ambrose embodied the educational spirit, mission, and drive that best matched their ideals.
Thinking of their legacy and impact, an endowed scholarship was a logical step, and the Dale and Lavonne 'Bonnie' McFarlin Endowed Scholarship Fund was created.
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Buzz through life with a degree from St. Ambrose University
Our students are actively engaged in making a difference in the world, both inside and outside the classroom. At SAU, you'll get the academic rigor and practical experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.
