UIU Centers and Distance Learning
We work with our non-traditional students to help them find as much financial assistance as possible. If you are interested in financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year.
If your UIU program has not received your admission application, high school information and official academic transcripts from all previously attended schools, your financial aid will be delayed. You must be officially accepted for admission to the University to be eligible for financial aid.
If you are an independent study learner, you must be enrolled at least half time (six semester credits within the same enrollment period) to be eligible for federal financial assistance.
International students studying at UIU international centers are not eligible for U.S. federal aid.
Financial assistance comes in the form of grants, which do not have to be repaid, and loans, which must always be repaid with interest, usually after you complete your education.
Grants & Loans
Federal Pell Grants
Funded by the federal government, Federal Pell Grants range from $1,176 to $5,500 per year for U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens who are enrolled at least half time. To apply for the Federal Pell Grant, learners must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Independent study learners, please note that all coursework must be completed by August 15 of the academic year in which the Federal Pell Grant is awarded for full disbursement.
Iowa Tuition Grants
Funded by the State of Iowa, these grants are available only for Iowa residents who qualify based on financial need. The amount of the grant is the difference between Upper Iowa University tuition and the average tuition at the Regent universities. The filing deadline for these grants is July 1 for the following academic year. The per credit award differs for full-time and part-time learners and changes every year.
TEACH Grant
Upper Iowa University participates in the TEACH Grant Program. Students must meet the defined general eligibility requirements. Specifics include the completion of the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Counseling at http://teach-ats.ed.gov which includes terms and conditions of the grant service obligations. Additional counseling is required with our Fayette campus and center staff prior to being awarded eligibility. More details can be found at https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action.
Federal Stafford Loans
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans are awarded to those who show financial need. The interest is paid by the federal government while the recipient is enrolled at least half time. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are awarded to those who show less financial need. The interest is paid by the recipient while enrolled at least half time. The annual combination of both subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans may not exceed $5,500 (dependent) or $9,500 (independent) for the freshman year, $6,500 (dependent) or $10,500 (independent) for the sophomore year, and $7,500 (dependent) or $12,500 (independent) for junior or senior years. The aggregate lifetime maximum for both loans may not exceed $23,000 (dependent) or $57,500 (independent) for undergraduate study. Repayment begins six months after withdrawal or when your enrollment status is less than half-time. Current interest rates are available from your lender. Disbursement of loan proceeds is equally distributed among the number of terms in the loan period. Loan applications must be submitted before the learner’s last date of attendance.
Financial Aid Process
Begin your financial aid process by following these steps at least 10 weeks before the start of your first enrollment:
1. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
2. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) within approximately two weeks. Or, if you provide them with a valid e-mail address, you will receive an e-mail with a link to your SAR information within five days. The SAR summarizes the information you provided on your application.
a. Review your SAR carefully to ensure all the information is correct and no changes are necessary. If you need to change any information on the SAR, return to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
b. Even if your SAR indicates that you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, it will be used to determine whether you are eligible for other financial assistance.
Correct any errors. Then resubmit the corrected data to the processing center.
3. The Department of Education or UIU's Financial Aid Office may select you for "verification." If selected, you will be sent a verification worksheet, which must be completed and returned to either your program or the Financial Aid Office with a copy of your previous year's signed U.S. income tax return. If you are married and your spouse filed separately, your spouse's return must also be included. If you filed as a dependent student, a copy of your parents' signed tax return must also be included.
4. If you have attended another institution in the past 30 days, we must have a financial aid transcript from that institution.
5. If the Financial Aid Office is unable to determine which program you will be attending, you will be sent a Center Enrollment Form, which you must complete and return to the Financial Aid Office.
6. Once the UIU Financial Aid Office has received all required correct information in your file, you will receive an email notification that your Financial Aid Award eligibility is available online. You must go into the online award letter and accept the funds. To access the award letter, you will need to provide your Student ID#, your social security # and your birth date.
7. If you have been awarded Federal Stafford Loan eligibility and wish to borrow these funds, you must accept the amounts on the online award letter.
8. If you are a first-time borrower with Upper Iowa University, you will be required to fill out a Master Promissory Note. Upper Iowa University utilizes the Master Promissory Note (MPN) for all Federal Stafford Loans. The MPN eliminates the need to complete a new promissory note for loans each year. By completing the MPN, you are authorizing Upper Iowa University to certify Federal Stafford Loans requested by you on the loan request form.
9. If you are a first time borrower of federal loan funds, federal regulations require that you complete Loan Entrance Counseling. You may do this by visiting http://www.mappingyourfuture.org/.
If you are not degree-seeking, you are not eligible for financial aid, unless you are seeking additional teaching endorsements.
Details about disbursement of financial aid are available online.
Veterans Assistance
Programs offered at Upper Iowa’s U.S. Centers and through UIU Distance Education are approved by the Department of Education of the State of Iowa to certify qualifying learners to receive veterans' benefits.
For additional information on applying for veterans' benefits, changing your place of training or how courses are certified, contact the Veterans' Administration certifying official at your program office. It is extremely important that you indicate on your registration for each class that you want the course certified for veterans' benefits. Upper Iowa University will also notify the Veterans Administration of any change in status including administrative withdrawal or withdrawal from a course. With a change in status, the learner may be required to refund benefits.
Student reimbursement will be calculated by the VA and is determined separately than any eligible refund under Upper Iowa University's policy.
Contact Us
For questions about financial aid for students at Upper Iowa educational centers and distance education program, please contact UIU program staff or the Financial Aid Office at 800-553-4150, Ext. [2+4], or financialaid@uiu.edu.
UIU Financial Aid Office
PO Box 1859
Fayette, IA 52142-1859