Jack Trice Scholarships at Iowa State University

The Jack Trice Legacy Scholarship, established at Iowa State University, honors the memory of Jack Trice — a trailblazing African American student-athlete whose life reflected extraordinary courage, academic ambition, and purpose. A graduate of East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio, Jack excelled in the classroom and on the football field, where his leadership, discipline, and humility set him apart. In 1922, he enrolled at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University), becoming the institution's first African American athlete and pursuing a degree in animal husbandry with the goal of uplifting African American farmers in the South. Despite the racial barriers he faced, Jack carried himself with dignity and resilience until his untimely death in 1923 from injuries sustained during a football game — a loss that ignited a legacy enduring for more than a century.

The scholarship carries that legacy forward by supporting students who embody his values of determination, scholarship, and leadership. Each award is $10,000 per year, renewable annually for students who maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and continue to meet eligibility criteria.

Eligible applicants must be incoming first-year, full-time students who are:

• Graduates of a high school in the Cleveland Municipal School District (preference given to East Technical High School graduates)

• Holders of a minimum 3.0 cumulative high school GPA

• First-generation college students

• FAFSA-complete

Applicants also submit a letter of recommendation and two essays: one reflecting on personal challenges and barriers faced in pursuing education, and one describing leadership experience advancing opportunities for historically underserved students. Recipients are selected by a committee of Iowa State's Division of Student Affairs staff.

 

The OneAPP application and more information about the scholarship can be found here