Lori Meadows
The University of Iowa offers a variety of financial aid options for its students. However, when it comes to international students, the options are more limited. While the university does not have a central financial aid fund for international students, and they are ineligible for federal financial aid or loan programs, there are still some opportunities available. These include merit-based scholarships, such as the International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA), as well as departmental scholarships and the Self-Service Loan Program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Financial aid fund for international students | No |
| International students' eligibility for federal financial aid or loan programs | No |
| International students' eligibility for private loans | Yes, with a U.S. citizen co-signing the loan application |
| Emergency financial assistance for international students | Yes, via the Self-Service Loan Program and Short Term Loan Program |
| Merit-based scholarships for international students | Yes |
| Need-based financial aid for international students | No |
| Types of financial aid | Grants, loans, scholarships |
| Scholarships available | Hundreds |
| Scholarship types | General and departmental |
| Scholarship application process | Iowa Scholarship Portal |
What You'll Learn
Merit-based scholarships
The University of Iowa does not have a central financial aid fund to fully support international students. However, international students entering in the fall (August) 2025 term will be considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. The International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA) is one such scholarship, awarding between $2,000 and $15,000 per year to incoming first-year international students who are graduates of a high school outside the U.S.
The University of Iowa has hundreds of scholarship opportunities available, a combination of general scholarships (open to all students) and departmental scholarships (restricted to students within a specific major or field of study). The selection for merit scholarships is competitive and based on a holistic review of all application information, high school marks/grades, and ACT or SAT scores.
The University of Iowa strongly encourages all eligible students, regardless of financial circumstance, to complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used for all types of financial aid, including federal and state aid, and some scholarships may require financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The University of Iowa's code for the FAFSA is 001892.
In addition to the scholarships awarded by the Office of Admissions, there are a variety of scholarships administered by University of Iowa colleges and departments for incoming new students as well as continuing students. These include scholarships for the following colleges and departments:
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- College of Public Health
- Office of Study Abroad/International Programs
- Office of Student Financial Aid
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Short-term loan programs
The University of Iowa offers a Short-Term Loan Program for international students who need assistance on an "emergency" basis. The program is administered through the Financial Aid Office, and international students may request a loan of up to $1,500. This loan amount must be cleared with an ISSS advisor, and students must demonstrate financial need and show evidence of their ability to repay the loan. The annual interest rate for this loan is 4%, and the loan must be repaid in full within one year or before graduation, whichever comes first. Students will receive a bill in the mail from a private collection company when the loan payment is due.
To be eligible for the Short-Term Loan Program, students must be registered for the current semester and be in F-1 or J-1 student status while participating in degree programs. Nondegree students, J-1 scholars, J-2 and F-2 dependents, and students in other immigration categories are not eligible for this loan program. Additionally, students are limited to one short-term loan per semester, and new UI students are generally not eligible during their first year unless they hold a UI graduate assistantship or scholarship from another agency. Late registrants are also ineligible for loans to cover the first third of tuition.
The University of Iowa also offers a Self-Service Short-Term Loan program, which provides loans of up to $500 with no interest charged. This loan is available to currently enrolled students during the fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions, and the loan is due at the end of the session in which it is received. Students can apply for this loan through MyUI, and no co-signer is required. However, if the loan is not paid by the due date, it will default, and an annual interest rate of 10% will be charged on the unpaid balance until the loan is paid in full.
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Self-service loan programs
The University of Iowa does not have a central financial aid fund to fully support international students. However, international students at the university do have access to some financial aid options, including the Self-Service Loan Program.
Self-Service Loan Program
The Self-Service Loan Program is available to international students through the Office of Student Financial Aid in MyUI. Students can receive up to $500, which is credited directly into their UBill by the University, with payment due near the end of the semester. No interest is charged on this loan.
To apply for the Self-Service Loan, students can log into MyUI, navigate to the "Financial Aid and Billing" section, and select "Self-Service Loan".
The University of Iowa also offers other scholarship opportunities for international students, such as the International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA), which provides $2,000 to $15,000 per year for incoming first-year international students who are graduates of a high school outside the U.S. Additionally, the university has various departmental scholarships restricted to students within specific majors or fields of study.
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Departmental scholarships
The University of Iowa does not have a central financial aid fund to fully support international students. However, international students at the university can benefit from departmental scholarships, which are restricted to students within a specific major or field of study. These scholarships are administered by the various colleges and departments of the university.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for example, offers the Adelaide Boerner Trickey and Melvin A Trickey Scholarship Fund, the Alexander Kern Liberal Arts & Sciences Scholarship Fund, the Henry G. Ullerich Scholarship, and many more.
The College of Engineering offers the (K2) 3 Engineering Scholarship.
The College of Education and the College of Public Health also offer departmental scholarships.
The Iowa Scholarship Portal is a great resource for undergraduate students to explore the hundreds of scholarship opportunities available at the University of Iowa. Students can log in with their Hawk ID and password to access and apply for scholarships.
In addition to departmental scholarships, international students entering in the fall (August) 2025 term will be considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. The International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA) is one such scholarship, offering $2,000 - $15,000 per year to incoming first-year international students who are graduates of a high school outside the U.S.
For students in need of emergency financial assistance, the University of Iowa offers the Self-Service Loan Program and the Short Term Loan Program.
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General scholarships
The University of Iowa does not have a central financial aid fund for international students. However, international students entering in the fall (August) 2025 term will be considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. One such scholarship is the International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA), which awards $2,000 to $15,000 per year to incoming first-year international students who are graduates of a high school outside the U.S.
In addition to the scholarships awarded by the Office of Admissions, there are a variety of general scholarships administered by University of Iowa colleges and departments for incoming new students as well as continuing students. The University of Iowa has hundreds of scholarship opportunities available, which can be a combination of general scholarships (open to all students) and departmental scholarships (restricted to students within a specific major or field of study).
- Adelaide Boerner Trickey and Melvin A Trickey Scholarship Fund: Awarded to an undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Alexander Kern Liberal Arts & Sciences Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Barbara G. and Professor Ralph I. Stephens Art Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Betty and Paul Abel Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Bill and John Fenton Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Christofer and Laurie Christiansen Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- David W. Koehser Scholarship Fund: Awarded to an undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Dr. George Schulz-Behrend Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Dr. Merlyn Arthur Lewis and Jeanette Lewis Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled first-year student majoring in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Edward B. Buchanan, Jr. and Mary Louise Buchanan Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Edward Prichett Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Esther Walls Scholarship Fund: Awarded to currently enrolled undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- F.C. Denkmann Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Faley Family First Generation Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Hogan Family Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Hubert H. and Hugh M. Schultz Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Jackie L Christopher Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- James and Syndy Conger Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Jeffery Keith Jones Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Kenneth J. and Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Manuel Paul and Abraham Chinitz Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Margaret Foster Hoff Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Marion L. Elmquist Scholarship in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Mary Goodykoontz Barnes Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Maureen Medberry Snell CLAS Award: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Myrna Lee Sprengeler Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Nadyne Harris Scholarships: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Peter and Marie Bousfield Memorial Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- R.L. Hulbary Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Ralph K. and Maxine J. Hibbs Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Richard S. and Helene D. Trump Scholarship: Awarded on a rotating basis to currently enrolled undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Robert Froese Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Roger H. and Marilyn J. Coleman Scholarship Fund: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Shallman Family Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Velma E. Stuit Scholarship Fund: Awarded to currently enrolled undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Winifred S. Scott Scholarship: Awarded to a currently enrolled undergraduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Iowa does not have a central financial aid fund to fully support international students. However, international students entering in the fall (August) 2025 term will be considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. The University also offers the International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA) for incoming first-year international students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have graduated from a high school outside the U.S.
The International Distinction in Education Award (IDEA) is a scholarship offered by the University of Iowa for eligible incoming first-year international students. The scholarship amount ranges from $2,000 to $15,000 per year and is available for up to eight semesters or until the recipient receives their bachelor's degree. To be considered for the IDEA scholarship, students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment, a minimum UI GPA of 2.50, and continue to pay non-resident tuition.
International students at the University of Iowa may have access to private student loans, although these usually require a U.S. citizen co-signer. Additionally, the University offers a Self-Service Loan Program of up to $500 with no interest charged, and a Short Term Loan Program of up to $1500 with a 4% interest rate.
