ISU 4U Promise Tuition Award

Students who finish 5th grade at King or Moulton elementary schools in Des Moines are eligible for tuition awards to attend Iowa State University. To remain eligible for ISU 4U Promise tuition support, students must: remain consistently enrolled in Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) for all of middle and high school*, graduate, apply and be admitted to ISU. When those requirements are fulfilled, students will receive 20% tuition support for every year they attended King or Moulton, up to 100%.

*Please note: Students who leave the DMPS district at any time during their 6th-12th grade years are no longer eligible for the ISU 4U Promise tuition award, even if they return to the district later.

Expectations and Opportunities

Elementary School

  • Attend regularly and positively engage in the school environment.
  • Make and work toward academic goals each year.
  • Enjoy ISU-sponsored activities such as college partnership engagement in the classroom, interactive activities at parent/teacher conferences, and the annual ISU 4U Promise College Night at the Blank Park Zoo.

Fifth Grade

  • Complete fifth grade at King or Moulton.
  • Submit the Des Moines Public Schools’ release form so ISU can access basic enrollment information.
  • Visit ISU’s campus during the annual 5th grade field trip to campus

Middle School

  • Attend Monthly Meetings: Join the ISU 4U Promise meetings at your school to stay connected and learn about how the program can support your goals.
  • Explore Your Interests: Use ISU 4U Promise resources and connections to ISU to start discovering careers and majors that excite you.
  • Stay Focused: Build strong habits in school and stay curious about the possibilities for your future.

High School

  • Attend Monthly Meetings: Attend monthly ISU 4U Promise meetings at your school to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities.
  • Explore Majors and Careers: Take advantage of ISU 4U Promise resources like campus visits, ISU summer camps, and workshops to explore potential majors and career paths.
  • Plan for College: Work with ISU 4U Promise staff to understand the college application process, financial aid options, and how to meet admission requirements starting as early as possible!

11th Grade

12th Grade

  • Submit your application to Iowa State University, and be admitted for undergraduate studies.
  • If eligible, file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Click here for deadlines.
  • Look for other scholarships at ISU and in your community that can be combined with the ISU 4U Promise tuition award.

As part of the ISU 4U Promise, Iowa State will work closely with you, Des Moines Public Schools and DMPS teachers as well as with organizations in the King and Moulton neighborhoods to help prepare your student to meet these expectations.

Need More Information? We’re Here 4U!

ISU 4U Promise

1218 Lagomarcino Hall
901 Stange Road
Ames, Iowa 50011-1041

515-294-4144

isu4u@iastate.edu