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Iowa vs Maine: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Iowa offers a moderate scholarship climate with fewer opportunities compared to Maine, which has a larger volume of awards and higher average amounts. Applicants seeking more substantial funding may prefer Maine.

State vs State

State A

Iowa

State B

Maine

Quick comparison

MetricIowaMaine
Active scholarships in catalog3961
Avg. award (where known)$2,305$2,640
Max indexed award$11,000$20,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

The scholarship landscape in 2026 reveals distinct opportunities for applicants in Iowa and Maine. Iowa has a total of 29 scholarships available, with an average award size of approximately $2,205. The maximum award reaches $11,000. Notable institutions providing scholarships include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.

In contrast, Maine presents a more robust scholarship environment, featuring 50 available scholarships and a higher average award size of about $2,546, with a maximum award of $20,000. Key scholarship providers include the Finance Authority of Maine and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine.

Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Maine

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Iowa

Iowa's scholarship climate is characterized by a smaller number of awards and lower average funding, making it suitable for applicants seeking modest financial assistance.

Maine

Maine offers a more favorable scholarship climate with a greater number of opportunities and higher average awards, appealing to those in need of significant financial support.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Iowa

Median household income

$74,077

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$967

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.97/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,540

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.88 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

lower indicator band

ADI band

higher indicator band

SVI counties

99

ADI counties

99

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 99 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 99 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Maine

Median household income

$73,437

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,535

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.20/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$51,430

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 9.31 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

16

ADI counties

16

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 16 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 16 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Iowa?
The average scholarship amount in Iowa is approximately $2,205.
How many scholarships are available in Maine?
Maine has a total of 50 scholarships available for applicants.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
Maine has a higher maximum scholarship award of $20,000 compared to Iowa's $11,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Iowa?
Top scholarship providers in Iowa include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.
Where can I find more information on scholarships?
You can find more information on scholarships at the Federal Student Aid website and the College Scorecard.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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