Determining Eligibility

Financial aid helps fill the gap between the cost of attending The University of Iowa and the amount that a student and their family are able to contribute. To be considered for financial aid offered through the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid (UI OSFA), students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Meet the eligibility requirements of each aid program
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States (for federal and state financial aid programs). International students with student visas are not eligible for financial aid offered through the OSFA.
• Be enrolled at least half-time (six hours for an undergraduate student and five hours for a graduate student) in a program leading to a degree or eligible certificate program.
  • Enrollment in a University of Iowa Study Abroad Program is considered being enrolled for financial aid purposes.
  • Federal Pell Grants may be available to students registered less than half-time; audits and cooperative education 00 semester hours do not count.
  • Students enrolled as visiting students, extension, or other non-degree granting programs are not eligible.
  • Graduate students that are registered less than five hours and are working on their dissertation, thesis, or doing research toward fulfillment of a degree requirement, may be considered a half-time or full-time student. Additional information is available on our graduate student webpage. 
• Not in default on an educational loan nor owe a refund on a grant received at any institution.
• In good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the UI Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.

For tips and how to avoid common FAFSA mistakes, click here.