Instructions: The E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award was established in 1993 as a tribute to the man who served as Executive Director of the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union from 1954 through 2002. The recipient of this award is recognized as being representative of the most elite of the superlative Iowa Girl, not only on the playing field but also in the classroom, in her school, and in her community. Her profile will reflect discipline, perseverance, character, citizenship, and leadership, which personified the life and expectations of E. Wayne Cooley.

Each high school is limited to one nomination. It is the responsibility of the local school to determine how the nominee is selected. The criteria for the award are as follows:

Cumulative High School GPA of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
Must have participated in at least two sports each year of high school
Shall have earned at least one varsity letter in a minimum of two sports
Must be enrolled full-time in an IGHSAU member school
Must be an Iowa resident
Must attend an Iowa college or university
Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA throughout her college career

Six finalists will be selected from the submitted applications for personal interviews with the selection jury in late January or early February.

Five finalists will receive a $1,000 scholarship grant. The E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award winner will receive a $15,000 scholarship ($3,750 annually). All nominees will receive a plaque commemorating their nomination by their school.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THIS APPLICATION:
The online application allows you to fill out the scholarship application, print it out, and mail it to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union when the form is completed and printed. After you continue to the next page, the online application will appear on your screen. Please fill out all of the fields (you will be unable to print out the application until you have filled out every part of the application).

Once you have completed the application, you will continue to the next part of the scholarship, which allows you to double-check the information you have provided. When you have completed the scholarship to your satisfaction - please hit the print link at the top of the page. Your application will print out and will be ready to mail to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The High School Principal or Guidance Counselor must sign this application before you mail it in.

A REMINDER: The following are also required to be sent along with the scholarship application

Four typed, one-page letters of recommendation are required:
(1) -- Nominator
(2) -- Teacher or Coach
(3) -- Community Member associated with Community Service Activities
(4) -- School Administrator (Other than the nominator)

The complete application must include the following:

Application Form
Four Letters of Reference
Copy of High School Transcript

If you have any trouble accessing any of the scholarship information or are having online problems filling out the application, please call Madison Melchert at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union at (515) 401-1831 or email at madison@ighsau.org.

*** This Scholarship application must be postmarked by Dec 1, 2024 in order to be considered.