Scholarships

The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation is privileged to manage a number of scholarship funds made possible by the generosity of alumni, staff, community members, businesses and organizations.

Students are asked to complete just one application to be considered for all of our scholarships. The application link will be posted to this page by January 15. Scholarships are awarded to Cedar Falls graduates at the Honors Convocation event in May and payable to the recipient’s college financial aid office in July.

Are you interested in investing in the future of Cedar Falls students? $50,000 is the current minimum endowment level for a scholarship fund. Contact Monica Boyer, Executive Director at (319) 268-7007 or monica.boyer@cfschools.org for more information.

Bill Close and Ron Streed smARTstart Scholarship

Bill Close and Ron Streed were friends and Art Teachers at Peet Jr. High School. They were both very involved with hands-on art activities during their teaching careers and made each student feel special and proud of their art creations. With the help of students, staff and the community, Bill and Ron created 23 mega sculptures. These giant outdoor sculptures can be found in the book BIG, written by Bill as a pictorial celebration and history of the projects. Award preference is given to a student pursuing an art education degree or who has excelled in the arts.

Cedar Falls Schools Foundation Scholarship

The Cedar Falls Schools Foundation Board of Directors recognize that there are many incredibly deserving students who may not fit of the criteria of our other scholarships. In an effort to celebrate the accomplishiments and contributions of a deserving student, the Board selects one recipient each year.

Cedar Falls Kiwanis Rough Risers Scholarship

Kiwanis International was created in 1915 to encourage members to give back to their community. Since 1980, the Rough Risers Kiwanis Club of Cedar Falls has been responding to the needs of Cedar Falls and Waterloo. The club's foremost goal is to serve children and youth of their community. The scholarship was originally established in memory of John Scott, a Kiwanian and a long-time employee of Cedar Falls Community Schools, and has since been generously supported by the Rough Risers club. This scholarship recognizes a student with a GPA of 2.75 or higher, who has demonstrated community service and has shown service to others in and outside of school.

Dan and Bea Brown Memorial Scholarship

Bea’s sister, Dolores Horn, generously established this scholarship in memory of Dan and Bea. Dolores and Bea grew up in Cedar Falls and didn’t have the means to pursue post-secondary educations. Before her passing in 2014, Bea worked for over 40 years as secretary to the president of Rath Packing. Before his passing in two thousand eight, Dan fought in WWII as a marine and was employed at John Deere. They both traveled extensively and had a great interest in education, young people and the community. Award preference is given to a student who has demonstrated community service and has a grade point average of 2.9 or better.

Do Better. Be Better. Scholarship

Jamie Smith, a PE teacher at CFHS suffered a stroke in 2013. Her will to 'Do Better. Be Better.' became her motto as she recovered. The Do Better. Be Better. Scholarship recognizes a graduating senior with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who has overcome adversity with positivity and perseverance or serves as a strong volunteer in their school and community.

Elsa Roberts Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Elsa Roberts, a compassionate and caring registered nurse in the Cedar Valley for 33 years. This scholarship is available to a CFHS senior, with preference given to a student pursuing a nursing degree.

Frank and Dorothy Horn Memorial Scholarship

Frank and Dorothy Horn, along with their daughter and her husband, Frankee and Jim Oleson, established this scholarship to assist aspiring educators as they pursue their goals. The Horns understood the importance of education and spent 28 years contributing to the Cedar Falls Community School District. Dorothy taught at Cedar Heights, first as a substitute teacher, then as a reading teacher and finished her career as a 2nd grade teacher. Frank served as Peet Jr. High's first principal, became the Business Manager for the District, and ended his career as a 7th grade social studies teacher at Peet Jr. High. Award preference is given to a senior pursuing a degree in education.

Janelle Wilks Memorial Scholarship

Janelle Wilks moved to Cedar Falls to attend the University of Northern Iowa. She graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Political Science degree, and then obtained her bachelor's degree in education. Janelle was an entrepreneur who had a passion for running local businesses. She was owner and operator of Main Street Sweets, Nelly’s Dogs, and the Cedar Falls Hurts Donut. She was a member of Fresh Wind Ministries and loved to volunteer in the Cedar Valley for many organizations. She lived for being a loving, strong and driven role model for her daughters, Greenley and Gracyn, who both attended Cedar Falls Community Schools since kindergarten. Award preference is given to a student pursuing a major in entrepreneurship or education.

John Tamisiea Memorial Scholarship

John Tamisiea was born and raised in Cedar Falls. An honors student and multi-sport athlete (football, baseball, basketball) at CFHS, John went on to the University of Iowa where he graduated with highest distinction in accounting. From there, he attended law school at the University of Pennsylvania after which he embarked on a distinguished career as a partner at a top Chicago law firm. With all of his academic and professional success, John’s greatest joy was the family he created with his beloved wife of 33 years, Holly, and their three cherished children, Jack, Grace, and Cooper. Together they were vital volunteers in their church and school communities.  John was proud of the Iowa roots which provided the foundation for his success. John was the instigator of many laughs. He was the glue of a group of 7 former members of the CFHS football team who have spent the past 43 years ribbing each other about who was to blame for losing the state championship. For the past 30 years, John and Holly generously hosted an annual Cubs game weekend for the CFHS guys. Award preference is given to a student athlete with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Kathy Bunger Memorial Scholarship

Before her passing in 2013, Kathy provided enormous strength and support for cancer patients and raised money and awareness for cancer research and education. She did this using her positive attitude and her own personal experiences with cancer. The Bunger family created this scholarship based on the belief that to truly be successful, one should always give back to those in need. Scholarship preference is given to a senior who has dealt with a critical illness of a parent or demonstrated community service.

Kristine Martinson & Family Scholarship

Kristine Martinson was a lifetime resident of the Cedar Valley. She married her high school sweetheart, David, in 1990 and worked as a nurse until 1995. Their four children – Jonathan, Andrea, Daniel and Annaliese – attended Cedar Falls Community Schools. This scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a nursing or medical degree.

Lauterbach Family Scholarship

These scholarships were generously made possible through a gift from the Kenneth and Maureen Lauterbach estate. The Lauterbachs were long-time residents of Cedar Falls, active in the community and members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Maureen had a strong desire to get a college education, but because of a combination of lack of funds and expectations for women at the time, she was unable to complete college. This scholarship is available to female seniors, with preference given to students pursuing post-secondary education at a 4-year institution in the state of Iowa who have demonstrated community service.

Legacy of Learning Scholarship

Established by the Class of 1963, with additional contributions from the classes of 1954, 1959, 1980, 1990 and 2000, this scholarship is available to a CFHS senior, with preference given to a student who has been a good citizen and has demonstrated community involvement.

MIRAE (Multicultural Individuals Revered Among Educators) Scholarship

MIRAE's purpose is to recruit and develop multicultural high school students into public education for future employment. This scholarship is given to a multicultural student pursuing a degree in education who has completed a semester of the CAPS Education program.

Robert and Hazel Messer Scholarship

During his career with Cedar Falls schools, Bob Messer was an unselfish, tireless leader who aspired to bring out the best in his students and staff. He led with honesty and integrity as the principal of Peet Jr. High until his retirement. Hazel, also an educator, was a long time reading teacher for the Waterloo schools. When Bob passed away in 2014, Hazel established this scholarship in his memory and in honor of their careers in our schools. Award preference is given to a student who has displayed citizenship and has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Ronald E. Juhl CAPS Scholarship

Ronald Juhl, a 1959 graduate of Cedar Falls High School, established this scholarship out of gratitude for the teachers who made an impact on his life. Award preference is given to a student who has successfully completed at least one semester in the Cedar Falls Center for Advanced Professional Studies or CAPS program, with an emphasis on students pursuing training in a construction or trades field.

Rick VerHeul Memorial Scholarship

Rick’s brother, Jeff VerHeul, generously established this scholarship in memory of Rick. Rick was a 1975 graduate of Cedar Falls High School. During high school, Rick was a first-team all-state swimmer and football player and was involved in band. Award preference is given to a student athlete.

Sandy Remmert Memorial Scholarship

Sandy Remmert was an English teacher at Cedar Falls Schools until her retirement in 2001. Award preference is given to a student pursuing a degree in English education or education.

Scott Sterrett Memorial Scholarship

Scott Sterrett was a 1987 graduate of Cedar Falls High School who had a passion for serving his community as a reserve officer with the Cedar Falls Police Department. He was an avid runner, participating in 23 marathons – the Boston Marathon twice, and the Chicago and Dallas Marathons multiple times and was and was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church. In 2018, Scott passed away after a fight with pancreatic cancer. A race is held annually in his memory, with proceeds now supporting this scholarship. Award preference is given to a student pursuing a degree in the public safety field.

Todd Blanford Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Todd Blanford, a 1976 graduate of CFHS and lifelong Cedar Falls resident. Todd attended the University of Northern Iowa, then spent thirty years in the mortgage and real estate industry, helping hundreds of Iowans obtain their first homes. This scholarship is available to CFHS senior, with preference given to a student attending UNI.