Undergraduate Awards and Scholarships

Award opportunities for continuing undergraduates

Departments award/scholarships

All students who first major is statistics are considered for (3) $500 scholarships which are awarded spring and fall. Students are notified individually and recognized.

Taylor Awards in Actuarial Analysis and Academic Performance

Mr. Robert H. Taylor wishes to encourage all students in the department (as well as students outside the department) to pursue scholarship in the actuarial profession. Accordingly, Mr. Taylor established this fund to support annual awards to be given to the University of Iowa students who demonstrate excellence in research and academic performance. Students win this award and are recognized at our annual Knowler-Taylor Awards Day in the Spring semester. These awards also include a financial gift.

Knowler Awards for Outstanding Achievement

Professor Lloyd A. Knowler came to the University of Iowa as an undergraduate student in the late 1920s. He completed his PhD in Mathematics here in 1937, and was appointed to a faculty position in the Mathematics Department (actuarial science was taught in the Math Department until 1965). He retired in 1978, but remained active in our Department until his death in 1990 at the age of 82. In addition to his interest in Actuarial Science, he was a founding member of the American Society of Quality Control. Students win this award and are recognized at our annual Knowler-Taylor Awards Day in the spring semester.

Department-sponsored Exam Awards

The department has funds from numerous scholarships to give students awards for those who pass CAS Part 1 (SOA Exam P), CAS Part 2 (SOA Exam FM), SOA Exam MLC, CAS Exam 3F (SOA exam MFE) and CAS Part 4 (SOA Exam C). Currently, we are revising how awards information will be collected and processed. Check back for more information at a later date!

Scholarship opportunities for continuing undergraduates

Lloyd A. Knowler Scholarship

Professor Lloyd A. Knowler came to the University of Iowa as an undergraduate student in the late 1920s. He completed his PhD in Mathematics here in 1937, and was appointed to a faculty position in the Mathematics Department (actuarial science was taught in the Math Department until 1965). He retired in 1978, but remained active in our department until his death in 1990 at the age of 82. In addition to his interest in actuarial science, he was a founding member of the American Society of Quality Control. The fund for this annual $1,000 scholarship was established through the UI Foundation by the American Society for Quality Control, State University of Iowa Section, in the name of Professor Knowler. It is awarded to students in actuarial science and statistics based on academic merit and future promise, as nominated by the department.

Principal Financial Group Foundation Scholarship

The Principal Financial Group Foundation has generously provided a student scholarship to the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science for many years. For the fall, 2012 the student selected will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Based upon current academic record and success on exams, the student recipient will be selected prior to each academic year by the department. Students must show explicit interest in this scholarship.

Harold W. Schloss Memorial Scholarship

In November 1984, the Harold W. Schloss Scholarship was established by the Casualty Actuarial Society as a memorial to Mr. Schloss, a past president of the Society. The fund for this annual $500 scholarship stipend was initiated by Mr. Schloss' wife, Frances A. Schloss, and their children. The scholarship is being used to benefit deserving and academically outstanding students in the actuarial program of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Iowa. The student recipient will be selected each spring by the Trustees of the CAS Trust, based upon the recommendation of the department.

D.W. Simpson & Company Scholarship

D.W. Simpson & Company, Inc., has established a scholarship program to assist students who are majoring in actuarial science. Based upon current academic record and success on exams, the student recipient will be selected prior to each academic year by the department and receive $1,000.

Towers Watson Scholarship

To assist actuarial science students, Towers Watson has established a scholarship program, not only to represent their commitment to our department and our students, but also to signal their belief that our Actuarial Science Program is among the best in the nation. Based upon current academic record and success on exams, the student recipient will be selected prior to each academic year by the department and receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Transamerica Scholarship

Transamerica (formerly known as AEGON) has established a scholarship program to assist outstanding students who are majoring in Actuarial Science. Based upon current academic record and success on exams, the student recipient will be selected prior to each academic year by the department and receive $3000.

Charles E. and Eleanore G. Wilson Scholarship

This fund was established with numerous gifts from Charles E. and Eleanore G. Wilson. Charles Wilson (BA, 1941) attended the University of Iowa during the Depression only because of a scholarship. He was an actuary for 45 years. He established this fund because he wanted to give future students the same opportunity he had and to help the actuarial profession. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences assists us with the application process.

CIGNA Foundation Scholarship

CIGNA has established a scholarship program to assist outstanding students who are majoring in actuarial science. Currently this scholarship has been pending and no awards have been designated.

Casualty Actuarial Society Scholarship

The objective of this scholarship is to further students' interest in the property/casualty actuarial profession and to encourage the pursuit of the CAS designations.

The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship

The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship was formed in 1977 as a joint effort by the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Society of Actuaries. The door to the actuarial profession has been opened to hundreds of minority students over the years. In 2008 this Scholarship program was transferred to The Actuarial Foundation to further strengthen, increase and to assure the continuation of a diverse, high quality actuarial candidate pool through awards of the Actuarial Diversity Scholarship. This Scholarship promotes diversity through an annual scholarship program for Black/African American, Hispanic and Native American Indian students recognizing and encouraging academic achievements by awarding scholarships to full time undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree that may lead to a career in the actuarial profession.

Actuary of Tomorrow Stuart A. Robertson Memorial Scholarship

Stuart A. Robertson, FSA, MAAA, a distinguished actuary, passed away on Nov. 4, 2005 at the age of 87. Mr. Robertson co-founded the actuarial and consulting firm Milliman & Robertson (now Milliman, Inc.) over 50 years ago, together with Wendell Milliman. Mr. Robertson served as CEO and Chairman of the firm for many years prior to his retirement in 1983. He was also active in the actuarial profession, serving on the Society of Actuaries Board of Governors and in other capacities. A scholarship fund was established in 2006 in Stuart Robertson's name at the Actuarial Foundation to honor his dedication to excellence and to recognize his tremendously positive influence on the professional lives of many colleagues. Funding is being provided by Milliman, Inc. and by several of Mr. Robertson's colleagues and friends. The Actuary of Tomorrow Scholarship recognizes and encourages the academic achievements of undergraduate students pursuing a career in actuarial science. Applicants must be a full-time undergraduate student entering as a sophomore, junior or senior, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on 4.0 scale) and must have successfully completed two actuarial exams. The Actuarial Foundation provides an award of $7,500 for education expenses at any accredited U.S. educational institution.

Curtis E. Huntington Memorial

The Curtis E. Huntington Memorial Scholarship (formerly The John Culver Wooddy Scholarship) was established to recognize the remarkably positive impact Huntington had on his students and on the actuarial profession.

Math Lover Scholarship

Eligibility: All high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply.
Amount: $500
Application deadline: July 31

Learner Algebra Scholarship

Eligibility: All high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply.
Amount: $500
Application deadline: July 31

Learner Calculus Scholarship

Eligibility: All high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply.
Amount: $500
Application deadline: July 31

Learner Geometry Scholarship

Eligibility: All high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible to apply.
Amount: $500
Application deadline: July 31

Learner SAT Scholarship

Eligibility: All high school seniors
Amount: $500
Application deadline: July 31

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences scholarships

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences also awards scholarships to students continuing coursework in a major within the college. Some scholarships are open to all liberal arts and sciences students and others are for select liberal arts and sciences majors.

View Clas Scholarships

Undergraduate scholarship recipients

2023-24 Andrew Dupont, Nathan Munshower
2022-23 Andrew Dupont

2024-25 TBD

2023-24 Riley Fuhs
2022-23: Bryce Serovy

2016-17: Funds were utilized for awards for passing SOA Exams
2015-16: Funds were utilized for awards for passing SOA Exams
2014-15: Funds were utilized for awards for passing SOA Exams
2013-14: Funds were utilized for awards for passing SOA Exams
2013-14: Cao Yu, Jacob Brady, Xu Dongyu
2012-13: Jacob Brady and Brooke Stadel
2011-12: Christopher Hunter
2010-11: Christopher Nienart

2020-21: Jordan Lee Turner
2019-20: Jordan Lee Turner
2018-19: Drew Hoeger
2017-18: Drew Hoeger

2023-24: James Albright, Joshua Nguyen
2022-23: Isaac Lucas and Christie Rus
2021-22: David Roth and Jack Temme
2020-21: Trey Cobb, Peyton Hanley and Madison Rambo
2019-20: Morgan Joranlien and Isaiah Martin
2018-19: Natalie Avercamp, Emily Fishel, McKenna Hietpas, Xavier Loomer and Maxwell Unmacht
2017-18 Alec Ciacco and Megan Svara
2016-17: Jason McDowell and Samuel Werner
2015-16: Max Peterson
2014-15: Michael Hackbarth

2023-24: Arden Hallett, Joshua Nguyen, Christie Rus
2022-23: Lucas Regina and David Roth
2021-22: Alejandro Guzman and Madison Rambo
2020-21: Madison Rambo
2019-20: Emily Fishel and Jordan Lee Turner
2018-19: Nicholas Culver
2017-18: Tina Liu and Morgan Zuidema
2016-17: John Crowley
2015-16: Sara Chen
2014-15: Michael Hackbarth
2013-14: Benjamin Mitchell and Andrew Rietgraf
2012-13: Caitlin Carney and Andrew Rietgraf
2011-12: Kyle Sewright
2010-11: Kelli Kregel and Erin Walker
2009-10: Jenna Shatek and Kelli Kregel
2008-09: Bradley C. Becker
2007-08: Kent Schrad
2006-07: Hing (Richard) Wu
2005-06: Shaun Cullinane
2004-05: Luba Aginsky
Spring 2004: Blake Tiernan
Fall 2003: Bryce Rosel
2002-03: Tony Langasek
2001-02: Nicholas Gifford
2000-01: Brooke Swanson
1999-2000: Jason Meade
1998-99: Dave Sachs
1997-98: Corrie Proksa
1996-97: Eric Palmer
1995-96: Carl Fagenbaum
1994-95: Carl Fagenbaum
1993-94: Dwight Soethout

2013-14: Greg Monson and Yemu Xu
2012-13: Katherine Adam
2011-12: Christopher Hunter
2010-11: Johnathon DeGeest
2009-10: Christopher Nienart
2008-09: Kimberly Cessna
2007-08: Lindsey Scott
2006-07: Jeffrey McClure
2005-06: Chu-Yu Chung, Emily Montag, Pamela Walz, and Jingxia Wen
2003-04: Jeffrey Kirklin
Spring 2003: Taehan Bae and Joseph Engstrom
Fall 2002: Jialan Chen and Glen Reineke
2001-02: Michael Garvin and Landon Horton
2000-01: Landon Horton and Richard Von Fumetti

2023-24: Joseph Miyazaki, Ethan Osborn
2022-23: Bryce Serovy and Riley Fuhs
2021-22: Peyton Hanley and Maxwell Zoss
2020-21: Sricharan Sheshashai and Nathan Stone
2019-20: Ian Lundy and McKenzie Brady
2018-19: Cody Krause and Mason Newhard
2017-18: Max Peterson
2016-17: Andrew Sherer
2015-16: Damon Mehrl
2014-15: Kenneth Clancy
2013-14: Dylan Schwers and Braden Hopkins

2015-16: Kayla Berkowitz

2024 (Spring): Lawrence Deng, Talia Gafrick, Kelsey Law, Carter Tams
2023 (Fall): Lawrence Deng, Kelsey Law, Lucas Regina, Carter Tams
2023 (Spring): Daniel Drake, Cori Ann Grant, Cade McDonald, Ethan Murra
2022 (Fall): Daniel Drake, Cori Ann Grant, Cade McDonald, Ethan Murra
2022 (Spring): August Muenzenmay
2021 (Fall): Rachel Anderson, Eldaleona Odole, Nhan To, Ziyu Gao
2021 (Spring): Ziyu Gao, Carolina Matuk, Xiaoying Pan, Xiaofeng Yang
2020 (Fall): Carolina Matuk, Xiaoying Pan, Andrew Pottebaum, Xiaofeng Yang
2020 (Spring): Ruibo Liu, Carolina Matuk, Xiaowen Li, Sanjeev Thangarajah
2019 (Fall): Justin Sheldon, Baekjun Kim, Melissa Adrian, Ruibo Liu
2019 (Spring): Melissa Adrian, Justin Sheldon, Kelly Yuson, Matthew Fernandez
2018 (Fall): Melissa Adrian, Baekjun Kim, Yujing Lu, Justin Sheldon, Kelly Yuson
2018 (Spring): Benjamin Jacobs, Matthew Kulczak, Yijing Lu, Jiongqi Zhao, Mohd Airman Zhukifly
2017 (Fall): Benjamin Jacobs, Yujing Lu, Mohd Airman Zulkifly, Bo-Yuan Chen, Yue Gu
2015-16 (Fall): Andrea Harlan, Jingrong Li,Kenong Su, Angela Zhang
2014 (Fall): Andrea Harlan, Zhuozhi Huang, Francis Jo, Xinhe Wang
2014 (Spring): Mary Feng, Andrea Harlan, Mitchell Kinney, Zhanlin Liu, Yunfan Xing
2013 (Fall): Mitchell Kinney, Xinhe Wang, Eric Ward

Fall 2010: Cigna purchased textbooks (Actuarial Mathematics, Society of Actuaries) for students taking course number 22S:174 - Quantitative Methods for Actuaries.
Fall 2009: Cigna purchased textbooks (Actuarial Mathematics, Society of Actuaries) for students taking course number 22S:174 - Quantitative Methods for Actuaries.
Fall 2008: Cigna purchased textbooks (Actuarial Mathematics, Society of Actuaries) for students taking course number 22S:174 - Quantitative Methods for Actuaries.
Spring 2008: Colleen McGlaughlin
Fall 2007: Colleen McGlaughlin and Jing Yin
2006-07: Colleen McGlaughlin and Kent Schrad

Undergraduate Awards and Scholarships