Finance

Scholarships, Grants, and Loans

Financial assistance can be a crucial part of attaining an advanced degree. Iowa State University is aware of this need and provides services to help you plan for graduate education expenses. The Office of Student Financial Aid is one resource that offers a wide variety of financial services to students, including the following:

  • Counseling on methods of financing your education
  • Informing you about on-campus and local employment opportunities
  • Providing information on scholarships and other academic awards
  • Providing consumer information on loans
  • Offering short-term emergency loans

Questions about financial assistance can be directed to:

Office of Student Financial Aid, 0210 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, Phone: (515) 294-2223

Scholarships and Grants

The Graduate College administers several tuition scholarships and a Professional Advancement Grant. In addition, The ISU Office of Student Financial Aid has listings of scholarships and grants available to all students, including those specifically intended for graduate students.

Loans

ISU participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan programs, which defer the beginning of repayment of the loan to six months after you have ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan is based on financial need and interest on the loan begins to accrue six months after you have ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not based on financial need and interest on the loan begins to accrue the day the loan is dispersed.

Your eligibility for both programs is determined by the university, and the loan is be made by the federal government directly to ISU. To apply, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available from most college and university financial aid offices.

University Emergency Loans

This small loan program, maintained by the university, is designed to help students meet financial emergencies. Repayment of the loan is due within the same semester it is obtained.

Other Loan Information

More information is available on all kinds of loans at the Office of Student Financial Aid, Student Loans page.

 Students walking across central campus towards Beardshear Hall on a sunny day.

Central campus is home to ISU's distinctive campanile, several wireless access points, and dozens of events throughout the year.