The starting point
Central College in Pella, Iowa pairs a $1,000 Journey Scholarship for every admitted student with a cumulative-GPA academic grid that awards $4,000-$8,000 per year, and competitive Scholar Day events that can reach full tuition.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 7 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Academic Scholarship (cumulative-GPA grid)
$4,000-$8,000 per year · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: Cumulative HS GPA grid: 4.0+ = $8,000; 3.85-3.999 = $7,000; 3.4-3.849 = $6,000; 2.9-3.399 = $5,000; 2.89 and below = $4,000
Eligibility: Test scores not referenced on the scholarship page
Renewal: Central states scholarships are renewable each year for four years. Specific renewal GPA not stated on the page.
Other terms: Awarded by cumulative-GPA bracket; the page frames it as 'find the scholarship that matches your GPA.' Every GPA band (including 2.89 and below) receives at least $4,000/year, so the award is effectively automatic for admitted students. No application deadline stated for the GPA award itself.
https://central.edu/financial-aid/scholarships-awards/
Journey Scholarship
$1,000 per year · Published amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Awarded to every admitted student
Renewal: Central states scholarships are renewable each year for four years. Specific renewal GPA not stated on the page.
Other terms: Automatic for all admitted students (not stats-gated, so automaticOnStats is false). Stacks with the GPA-based academic scholarship.
https://central.edu/financial-aid/scholarships-awards/
Scholar Day Full Tuition Scholarship
Full tuition (all four years) · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Competitive; awarded after Scholar Day events, which include an open-ended group challenge; must participate in Scholar Day
Renewal: Covers recipients' tuition all four years.
Other terms: Competitive (not automatic). 'Multiple full tuition scholarships' awarded after all Scholar Day events are completed. Full tuition equals the published 2026-27 tuition of $22,374/year (per the costs page), but that figure is not restated on the scholarship page, so the amount field is left as 'Full tuition' rather than a clean number. Scholar Day event dates: Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Jan. 23, Jan. 30; registration opens in August.
https://central.edu/financial-aid/scholarships-awards/
