The University of Iowa Libraries thanks its numerous friends for supporting scholarships for our student employees. Student employees provide critical staffing for programs and services benefitting the entire UI community. These scholarships are a way to recognize, support, and motivate students in their scholarship, research, and creative work at the university.
Undergraduates
Application Period
The application window for undergraduate scholarships is generally from the second week in September and stays open for about four weeks. The 2025 application period will be September 10 through October 8.
Eligibility
- Full-time UI undergraduate student who will be a continuing student in the following spring semester.
- In good academic standing with the university.
- Employed by the Libraries* for a minimum of two complete semesters (do not need to be consecutive; you may apply during your second semester if it is the fall semester when the application process occurs).
Available Scholarships
- Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Libraries Student Employee Scholarship
Established by the children of Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz in memory of their parents. Dale came to Iowa in 1953 and served the UI Libraries for 36 years. From 1981 until his retirement in 1986, Dale led the organization as university librarian. Active in his profession, Dale made numerous contributions to the librarianship over his 45-year career. Four scholarships of up to $2,500. - Judy and Mike Greer Scholarship in memory of Mary E. Greer
Established by Mike and Judy Greer to honor the memory of Mike’s mother, who worked for 25 years in the Main Library Circulation Department. Awarded to University Libraries’ student employees who work in the UI Main Library. If a recipient matching this stated preference cannot be found, then preference is given to student employees working in one of the other University Libraries. Two scholarships up to $2,500. - Benton Family Music Library Student Employee Scholarship
Established by the Benton family in honor of their mother. Hired in 1952 to catalog music holdings, Rita Benton was head of the Music Library from 1957 until her death in 1980. Later that year, the UI dedicated the Rita Benton Music Library in recognition of her service to the university and her contributions to music librarianship and musicology. Awarded to Rita Benton Music Library undergraduate student employees. Generally, two scholarships up to $2,500. - UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship
Established by UI Libraries’ staff and supported by numerous friends as a way to recognize, support, and motivate students in their scholarship, research, and creative work at the university. Student employees at the University Libraries provide critical staffing for programs and services benefitting the entire UI community. Up to 10 scholarships; up to $2,500 each.
Annual Eligibility
Previous winners may re-apply in subsequent years; they must submit a new application each year to be considered.
Application Requirements
Applications for the Libraries’ student employee scholarships are through the Iowa Scholarship Portal. Undergraduate student employees at the UI Libraries who qualify must complete the Portal’s General Application to apply and be considered. The application is available starting in September and must be completed each year. You do not need to have a completed FAFSA to be eligible for these scholarships as they are merit-based not based on financial need.
Visit the Iowa Scholarship Portal (search for “Libraries”) to apply
- Submit a 500 word essay which will be evaluated on originality and enthusiasm as well as clarity and relevance of writing. Note that your essay should not be a description or analysis of your job duties at the library. Choose ONE of the following topics for your essay: 1) What aspect of your work in the UI Libraries has had the greatest impact on you? How so? 2) Share your most interesting story about working in the UI Libraries. or, 3) Drawing on your insights and experiences from working in the UI Libraries, share how you have helped to foster a welcoming and respectful environment at the University of Iowa.
- Your library supervisor will receive a survey where they will rate their student employee in several different work performance areas.
Past Winners: UI Libraries Employee Scholarship
- 2024-2025 – Jordyn Johnson, Ava Stork, Olivia Comer, Juliann Pawlowski, Alyssa Lemay, Melissa Calederon, Ana Koch, Ken Sullivan
- 2023-2024 – Lizza Ayers, Courtney Dage, Adam Holmes, Juliann Pawlowski, Angeles Pineda
- 2022-2023 – Emeline Heimos, Cara Heuer, Adam Holmes, and Alyssa Lemay
- 2021-2022 – Abigail Whitford, Jared Bock, Amalia Sandoval, and Graciela Vebi
- 2020-2021 – Megan Christianson, Jenni Del Giudice, Teagan Hamontree, and Anna Magana
- 2019-2020 – Madison Black, Natalie Boucher, Ryan Greenough, and Marc Shepherd
- 2018-2019 – Landry Boerhave, Mason Lyons, Ryan Greenough, and Jacob Edwards
- 2018 – Stephanie Hutchins, Mikaela Johnson, Emily Lerch-Stagman, and Alexandra Ziemer
- 2017 – Jeiran Hasan, Elizabeth Riordan, Clarice Kelling, and Melissa Lauer
- 2016 – Stacy Garrard and Ghyas Zeidieh
Past Winners: Bentz Scholarship
- 2024-2025 – Adam Holmes, Sadie Crandall, Sophia Yuhas, Gracie Pruitt
- 2023-2024 – Olivia Comer, Ruby Miller, Kenna Prottsman, Ana Koch
- 2022-2023 – Skylar Halley, Abigail Kellis, Ana Koch, Lilliana Scott
- 2021-2022 – Sarah Dodd, Kelsey Lyons, Elizabeth Lovell, Alexis Redshaw
- 2020-2021 – Anjah Droe, Kourtany Katzen, Andrew Maresca, Lilli Scott
- 2019-2020 – Jared Bock, Lou Barker, Rachel Poppen, Shelby Tipling
- 2018-2019 – Katelyn Foster, Lupita Larios, Lou Barker, Jarod Concha
- 2017-2018 – Jacob Edwards, Maya Guadagni, Caitlin Plathe, Alex Spenceri
Past Winners: Greer Scholarship
- 2023-2024 – Brianna Bowers and Kaleb Schlatter
- 2023-2024 – Cassidy Hibbert and Alyssa Lemay
- 2022-2023 – Elizabeth Ayers
- 2021-2022 – Naudya Chhuon
- 2020-2021 – Vanessa Perez
- 2019-2020 – Hannah Frame
- 2018-2019 – Grace Oeth
- 2017-2018 – Emily Abell
Past Winners: Benton Scholarship
- 2024-2025 – Maya St. Clair
- 2023-2024 – Maya St. Clair and Leah Kaminsky
- 2021-2022 – Steven Garcia and Emma Kohlenberg
- 2020-2021 – Lou Barker
- 2019-2020 – Anastasia Scholze and Olivia Waller
Graduates
Application Period
The application period is generally open the 3rd week of October for about 4 weeks. Generally, two awards for up to $2,500 are available. The 2025 application period is October 15 – November 12.
Eligibility
- Must be enrolled and continuing full-time or part-time.
- You must be in your first semester or more of employment at the Libraries in a student employee category (“S” coded student position; not a FR19 or FT19 GRA classification).
- Must continue employment in the following spring semester.
Application Requirements
You must attach the following as separate PDF files to your online application:
- Choose ONE of the following topics for your essay (maximum 500 words). Note that your essay should not be a description or analysis of your job duties at the library.:
- During your employment, what have you learned about conducting research, including finding and evaluating sources?
- During your employment, what discoveries have you made about library tools, services, etc.?
- How has your employment experience influenced your academic and career goals?
- Your library supervisor will receive a survey where they will rate their student employee in different work performance areas and answer two short-answer questions.
The Application Link will be sent out individually to currently employed students. If you have questions, contact Kelly Taylor in the Administration Office (335-6093).
Annual Eligibility
Previous winners may re-apply for this award in subsequent years. They must submit a new application each year to be considered for this award.
*The University Libraries includes the Art Library, Pomerantz Business Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, Lichtenberger Engineering Library, Main Library, Rita Benton Music Library, and the Sciences Library. Students employed in the Law Library and other campus departmental libraries are not eligible, unless also employed at one of the listed University Libraries.
Past Winners: Academic Enrichment Award
- 2024-2025 – Luke Ayers and Emily Wieder
- 2023-2024 – Jennifer S. Miller and Ramin Roshandel
- 2022-2023 – Nancy Henke and Paige Wilkinson
- 2021-2022 – Emily Schartz and Abbie Steuhm
- 2020-2021 – Alex Hsieh and Luz Jensen
- 2019-2020 – Rhiannon Bell and Max Lipnick
- 2018-2019 – Eva Richards and Dong Dong
- 2017-2018 – Zoe Webb and Suzanne Glemot