Simpson College announced Thursday two new full-tuition scholarship programs, which the private, liberal arts college expects will “substantially increase” the number of new Iowa students qualifying for free tuition.

The first initiative, Simpson’s $100K Promise, pledges full-tuition support for admitted students whose family’s adjusted household income is $100,000 or less. The $100,000 income threshold represents a 67% increase over Simpson’s previous Promise program of the past six years, which capped free-tuition eligible family income at $60,000. This fall, 81 new students enrolled under the existing Simpson Promise, according to the announcement.

The second initiative is 99 County Full-Tuition, which ensures that at least one admitted student from each of Iowa’s 99 counties will be eligible to receive a full-tuition scholarship. Those scholarships will be awarded through a committee selection process, which includes consideration of both financial need and academic merit. The initiatives are also part of Simpson’s All-In for Iowa campaign.

“Our enduring commitment to ensuring affordable access to Simpson excellence continues to grow,” President Jay Byers said at the news conference. “And today that commitment is reaching historic heights. These full-scholarship initiatives are going to open more doors to educational dreams than ever before — they’re game-changers.”

Both first-year students and transfers will be eligible for the programs in fall 2024. Students must submit a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) and be deemed eligible for federal aid. In addition to being full-time, first-time students at Simpson, they must also live on campus and participate in a meal plan at their expense.

Leigh Mlodzik, Simpson’s vice president of enrollment, said in a statement to the Business Record that the college will provide the scholarship amount awarded to the student in their first year each of their four years at Simpson, provided they are in good academic standing and complete the FAFSA.

Mlodzik said students will also be responsible for “potential cost increases in tuition and fees.”

To cover the first year of tuition for students receiving a full-tuition scholarship, both programs incorporate federal and state aid awards with Simpson scholarship funds, the announcement said.

Students will be eligible for the $100K Promise on a rolling admission basis while the 99 County Full-Tuition program will have a priority deadline.

Simpson also recently shared that the 2023-24 incoming class is the largest in the last five years with an 11% increase in new student enrollment, or 382 new first-year and transfer students.