You are considering going to college and looking forward to all the new experiences, making friends, and preparing for your future. How are you going to pay for one of the biggest expenses and investments of your life, a college education?

As a new student, you are eligible for a number of financial aid opportunities at the University of Iowa.  The first step to be considered for financial aid, including scholarships, is to be admitted to the University. Admission information is available on the Office of Admissions website.  Merit scholarship information is available on that site as well.

The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) administers a comprehensive program of federal, state, and institutional aid.  A good place to begin is by understanding the types and sources of financial assistance as well as the cost of attending the University.

To apply for financial aid funds that are awarded by the OSFA, follow the application procedures provided in our Step-By-Step Process web page.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and need-based scholarships.  Some financial aid funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so it is important to file the 2023-2024 FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, 2022. The filing deadline for priority consideration was December 1, 2022. When completing the FAFSA, OSFA recommends that you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer your tax information directly from the IRS onto your FAFSA.

You will find information and links to pages within OSFA website to assist you throughout the financial aid process.

If you have questions, visit our frequently asked questions page, browse our website, call us at (319) 335-1450, or email financial-aid@uiowa.edu.