Wartburg College student wins $100,000 to use toward tuition

An eastern Iowa native now has $100,000 to put toward his college tuition after winning the Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway.

Wartburg College freshman Caleb Lines won the contest on Saturday during a College Football Conference Championship game.

"It's amazing to not have to worry about any financial barriers," Lines said.

Lines entered the contest after a suggestion by a former teacher at Nashua, Mrs. Turner.

The contest, which awards students tuition money to reach their goals, was open to 18 to 24-year-olds across the United States.

For the contest Lines entered a one minute video explaining his future aspiration--eliminating global food insecurity.

Lines was first chosen to be one of 20 finalists in the competition. Dr. Pepper then split the contest into five groups of four people. Each group was sent to a different football game.

For Lines, he and three other finalists were flown by Dr. Pepper with one guest to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday.

After a preliminary contest on Friday, Lines and another student from Chicago competed for the $100,000 prize in their division during halftime.

Lines said the entire experience was very surreal.

"I remember what happened before and after, but I don't remember during it [the finals] at all," Lines said. "It was crazy."

Lines said he plans to use the money he won towards his agricultural studies.

After his time at Wartburg College, Lines plans to pursue a doctorate degree in biochemistry.

You can watch his video submission for Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway below.