Eligibility

Have financial need as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), though some loans and scholarships are available to students without need
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen with a valid SSN
- International students on a VISA are not eligible for financial aid through our office
Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student
- Non-Degree seeking students should contact our office for more information
Be enrolled at least half-time (for most financial aid funds)
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
Must not be in default on a federal student loan and not owe money on a federal student grant
Attend all your enrolled classes. If you fail a class due to non-attendance or lack of participation, your financial aid may be adjusted. (Instructors report non-participation when assigning failing grades)

Other Enrollment Programs

There are a variety of other programs and enrollment classifications at the University of Iowa. Financial aid may be available to help students who participate in these programs or have special enrollment classifications. Individual University of Iowa colleges, departments, and programs may have their own financial aid funds to offer. Check out the website for the department/college in which you are enrolled.

Visiting Students

Students who are attending the University of Iowa for a semester or academic year only and will be returning to their "home" institution to receive their degree are considered visiting students. These students must apply for financial aid from their "home" institution.

Cooperative Education, Internships, and Study Abroad

Students enrolled for cooperative education or internships for 0 hours are considered to be full-time for loan deferment purposes. Students enrolled in 0 hours are not charged any tuition and are not eligible for financial aid.

Some internships are set up for 3 or more hours. To qualify for Federal student loans, undergraduate students must be enrolled for 6 or more hours and graduate students must be enrolled for 5 or more hours. Federal Pell grants may be available to undergraduate students enrolled for less than 6 hours.

To qualify for institutional scholarships, students must enroll in 12 or more hours. Students who are not enrolled in at least 12 hours may contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to see what options are available for their scholarships.

You may be able to receive financial aid while participating in a UI-sponsored or non-UI-sponsored study abroad program. More information on University of Iowa study abroad programs can be found on the International Programs website.

Subsequent Bachelor's Degree after earning a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Iowa (UI)

To qualify for financial aid students must be working towards a Bachelor's degree that is different than the degree they already earned from UI (ie: a student graduated with a UI B.A. and is now working on a UI B.S. may be eligible whereas a student who graduated with a UI B.A. and is now working on another UI B.A. will not be eligible for aid). Students will not be eligible for scholarships and grants offered by the Office of Student Financial Aid; however, they may qualify for work-study and/or loans. Students need to meet SAP and may need to submit a SAP Appeal.

Subsequent Bachelor's Degree after earning a Bachelor's Degree from another institution (non-UI)

Students will not be eligible for scholarships and grants offered by the Office of Student Financial Aid; however, they may qualify for work-study and/or loans. Students need to meet SAP and may need to submit a SAP Appeal.

Teacher Certification

Students will not be eligible for scholarships and grants offered by the Office of Student Financial Aid; however, they may qualify for loans. Students should email finaid-sap@uiowa.edu to determine if they qualify for loans for their teacher certification.