International Scholarships

The Award
This full-ride, need-based scholarship recognizes academic achievement and community service/leadership. The amount awarded will vary depending on other scholarships and grants you might receive. When coupled with other awards, the annual cost of attending The University of Iowa as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid will be covered. You may renew the award for three years (or until you complete your bachelor's degree, whichever comes first), provided you remain in academic good standing at Iowa.

Eligibility
To be considered eligible for the Halas-Sayers Scholarship, you must have applied for admission to the University and:

1. be of African American, Latino/Hispanic, or Native American (American Indian/Alaskan Native) descent;
2. graduate from either a Chicago-area public high school or a public high school in the state of Iowa;
3. declare a major in:
   • applied physics
   • astronomy
   • biochemistry
   • biology
   • chemistry
   • computer science
   • engineering (any type)
   • environmental sciences
   • geoscience
   • mathematics
   • microbiology
   • physics
   • science education
   • speech and hearing science
   • statistics
4. present an ACT composite of 25 (a combined SAT Critical
5. Reading and Math score of 1130) or above;
6. present a 3.50 GPA on a 4.00 scale;
7. demonstrate financial need by filing a Free Application for
8. Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submitting other required
9. financial aid documents.

How to Apply
Completed scholarship application materials must be post-marked by February 13, 2009. These materials include:

• Halas-Sayers Scholarship Application;
• an official high school transcript including grades 9-11. (This transcript is in addition to the one required with your application for admission.);
• your completed FAFSA. (Note that your University of Iowa Verification Form and tax records need to be in the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 13.)

Selection Criteria & Notification
A Scholarship Selection Committee composed of faculty and staff members will select the winner. Selection criteria include academic achievement, high school and community service/ leadership, short-answer responses, and financial need. The winner will be notified April 17, 2009.

This scholarship is named for two great sports legends: George Halas and Gale Sayers, both of the Chicago Bears. Chicago-native George Halas (1895-1983), nicknamed "Papa Bear" and Mr. Everything, founded the Chicago Bears in 1920 and was one of the founding fathers of the National Football League (NFL).

A graduate of Crane Tech High School in Chicago, Halas earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. Some of Halas' earliest accomplishments include: the 1919 Rose Bowl Most Valuable Player; NFL All Pro Team in the 1920s; and he co-created the revolutionary T-formation style of football play.

Halas became the first NFL coach to win his 200th and 300th games respectively, and he is also the only person ever to have been a player, coach, and owner. Under Halas' leadership, the Chicago Bears won eight NFL titles and became the first team to hold daily practice sessions; to analyze film of opponents; and to broadcast games by radio. Halas also drafted the NFL's first African-American quarterback.

Halas was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and today the NFC championship trophy bears his name. He was featured on a 1997 US postage stamp as one of the legendary coaches of football. Halas died in Chicago at age 88 in 1983. To this day, the jerseys of the Chicago Bears have the initials "GSH" on both outer sleeves in tribute to Halas.

Halas understood the vital importance of a quality education. He encouraged his players to actively plan for their future beyond football. His son, George Halas Jr. and granddaughter, Christine Halas Wood, carry on this tradition by financially supporting students who wish to plan for their futures by accessing higher education. It is in this spirit of excellence and opportunity that this full-ride scholarship has been established.

Omaha-native Gale Sayers (born 1943), aka the "Kansas Comet," was a sensation from the first time he handled a football as a youngster. After setting many Big Eight records for the University of Kansas, he became an NFL star running back, and spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears.

Nicknamed "Magic," Sayers was the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1965. He led the NFC in rushing twice and was voted All-Pro five times in his 12-year NFL career. He holds the NFL lifetime kickoff return record. A left knee injury sustained in the 1970 season ended a glittering career after just four-and-one-half seasons.

In 1977, Sayers was the youngest person ever to be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1994, the Chicago Bears retired his #40 jersey.

His friendship with Chicago Bears teammate Brian Piccolo, and Piccolo's struggle with cancer, spurred Sayers' best-selling autobiography I Am Third which became the subject of the legendary made-for-TV movie, Brian's Song.

Sayers is currently the founder and chairman of the Sayers Group LLC, a computer company that provides technology solutions nationwide.

Application form and further Information (PDF)