Eligibility

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Your FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, including financial need for need-based programs.
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
- Most 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 students may qualify for limited federal student aid in certain circumstances.
Meet the enrollment requirements for the type of financial aid you receive.
- Federal Direct Loans require at least half-time enrollment.
- Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, enrolling less than full-time may reduce your federal Direct Loan eligibility. Learn how your enrollment affects your federal student loans.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal student grant.
Attend and participate in the courses for which you receive financial aid. Your financial aid may be adjusted if you do not begin attendance or participate in your courses.

Undergraduate Students Nearing Degree Completion

If you have completed all coursework required for your first bachelor's degree, you may lose some or all federal financial aid eligibility even if you do not apply to graduate.

Learn about financial aid eligibility after completing your first bachelor's degree requirements.

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.

If a student does not enroll in a 0 – 3 hour cooperative education/internship Fall course, their Spring need-based financial aid may be impacted. Please contact a financial aid advisor if you have any questions.

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.