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Prairie Trail Scholarship – Online Application

Deadline to apply: March 31, 2025

The Prairie Trail Scholarship offers scholarships to residents of the Prairie Trail Development who are pursuing a higher education beyond high school. Preference will be given to students who choose to attend Des Moines Area Community College, or an accredited two- or four-year educational institution in Iowa. Prairie Trail residents, including past recipients of this award, must complete this electronic application in order to be considered. Scholarships will be awarded annually and funds may be applied toward charges for tuition and books.

Funding Priority:

The Prairie Trails Scholarship considers two funding priorities for scholarship eligibility, each designed to support students pursuing higher education.

First Priority

  • Must be a resident of Prairie Trail neighborhood in Ankeny, IA and/or a child of a property owner in the Prairie Trail neighborhood in Ankeny, IA on the first day of classes at the child’s school.
  • Must be a Prairie Trail resident planning to further your education during the award term(s) (includes current high school seniors, current college students, persons seeking continuing education, or persons furthering their college education) on a full-time basis.
  • Inhabitants of any student or temporary housing locations are not eligible. This excludes long-term, traditional rental homes.
  • Maximum lifetime award of $10,000; students attending Des Moines Area Community College have a maximum lifetime award of $12,000.
  • The scholarship is distributed in increments of $2,500 per year ($1,250 for two consecutive semesters); students attending Des Moines Area Community College receive $3,500 for tuition each year ($1,750 for two consecutive semesters).
  • Students must provide a transcript showing a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average to be eligible for scholarship funds. Applicants with no recorded grade within the last ten years will be exempt from this requirement.
  • Attend an accredited two- or four-year college.
  • Preferences are given to students attending Des Moines Area Community College.

Second Priority

  • Student enrolled in a high school in Ankeny, IA.
  • Maximum lifetime award of $4,000.
  • $1,000 for tuition per year ($500 for two consecutive semesters).
  • Student must provide a transcript showing a minimum 2.75 Grade Point Average to be eligible for scholarship funds. Applicants with no recorded grade within the last ten years will be exempt from this requirement.
  • Attend an accredited two- or four-year college.
  • Preferences are given to students attending Des Moines Area Community College.

Application Components:

  1. Online form detailing personal, academic, and financial information

    The online application form takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It is necessary to complete the application in a single session, as the form cannot be saved and reopened at a later time.
  1. One page essay about goals, involvement, and achievements

    Applicants are encouraged to compose and edit their essay in a word processing document prior to beginning the online form, so that the text can be pasted into the space provided. The essay should be a minimum of 500 words, single spaced using Times New Roman 12 point font. Applicants should address each of the following points:
    • Describe your academic achievements, educational goals, and current involvement in school/community activities.
    • Describe your future aspirations and how this scholarship would assist in your pursuit of these goals.
    • Note any special circumstances substantiating your financial need.
  1. Grade Verification

    All applicants will be instructed to upload or send a transcript (official, unofficial, or scanned copy) from their most recent school, to be received in the DMACC Scholarship Office by the application deadline.

Funding Guidelines:

The funding allocation will be determined annually by DRA Properties and the DMACC Foundation. Funding priority will be given to:

  • Residents and dependents of property owners in the Prairie Trail development. Please note, inhabitants of any student or temporary housing locations are not eligible. This excludes long-term, traditional rental homes.
  • Students attending Des Moines Area Community College, and then to students attending an accredited two- or four-year educational institution in Iowa.

Funding may be used for tuition and books only, and is provided to the student’s school, not directly to the student.

Student must be enrolled on a full-time basis, must remain in good academic standing with the school, and continue to maintain a 2.0 GPA to receive funding for the consecutive semester.  Students on probation may be subject to termination of scholarship support.

There is no guarantee of a repeated award as the scholarship is competitive and funding priorities may change. Applicants must apply each year.

Apply Now!