Information for Independent Study Program
Current Students
- Contact Information
- Programs and Majors
- Course Schedule
- Registration and Enrollment
- Financial Aid
- Time Limits
- Extensions
- Refund Policy and Course Withdrawal
- Administrative Withdrawal
- Program Details
- Accelerated Summer Courses
Financial Aid
How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid | NetPartner | Types of Financial Aid for Independent Study Learners | How Financial Aid Will Be Applied | Loan Deferments | Cash Overpayments | Center, Fayette Campus and Online Learners | Refund Policy | Questions
How to Apply for Federal Financial Aid
To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid funds through the Independent Study Program, you must be enrolled at half-time status. To be considered enrolled at half-time status; you must be enrolled in a minimum of six semester credits within the same enrollment period. Couse materials will be sent only after financial aid is awarded and all loan applications are filed and verified.
Upper Iowa University’s Financial Aid office has a useful tool to assist you in the Financial Aid process called NetPartner. It provides information about the status of your award, missing documents, allows you to accept your award and complete the necessary loan documents.
Types of Financial Aid for Independent Study Learners
Gift Aid
Federal Pell Grants are funded by the federal government and do not have to be repaid. To be eligible, a student must be an undergraduate, U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizen and show financial need.
All required Independent Study Program coursework must be completed within the original six month enrollment period or by August 15 of the academic year in which the Federal Pell Grant is awarded for full disbursement. For those learners whose Financial Aid award is under the new Financial Aid year starting with a June 1 start date, the required coursework must be completed within the original six month end date and do not fall under the August 15 rule.
Student Loans
Student loans provide an opportunity to defer part of the cost of a college education by borrowing now and repaying later. However, before deciding whether to accept or pursue a loan, students should carefully read the section below which describes each loan program. We urge students to use discretion in determining the necessary amount to be borrowed. Loans must be repaid.
Federal Stafford Loans are made through the U.S. Department of Education Direct Loan Program. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans are for those who have financial need. The federal government pays the interest while the recipient is enrolled at least half-time.
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans are available for those who do not demonstrate financial need as defined by the federal government. These Unsubsidized Stafford Loans accrue interest after the first disbursement is made.
There are lifetime federal award limits that students are allowed to take out in Stafford Loans towards their degree. For independent undergraduate students you can take out $57,500 of which $23,000 can be subsidized. Students are expected to track their loan amounts to make sure you don't go over these federal limits.
How Your Financial Aid Will Be Applied
Once the Financial Aid Office has received all required documentation for your file and you have registered for courses through the Center for Distance Education, the Financial Aid office will prepare your award. Your award will outline two six-month enrollment periods. Enrollment periods cannot overlap. Contact the Center for Distance Education office on how to proceed with the second awarded term as outlined on your award.
Stafford loans remain in deferment while the learner is enrolled at half time status. When courses are extended beyond the initial six-month enrollment period, the learner will not be considered half time.
Cash overpayments for loan funds exceeding tuition and fees will be processed when appropriate coursework is completed and graded within the initial six-month enrollment period. For more information, contact the Center for Distance Education office.
Center, Fayette Campus and Online Learners
Upper Iowa University offers a variety of different programs including Online, Fayette Campus, Center, and Independent Study. The U.S. Department of Education has a policy allowing learners to move between programs within a college during the same enrollment period. However, financial aid will only be awarded to learners based on their main program of choice. The Financial Aid Office will assist each learner on a case-by-case basis to review the best options for their needs as requested. Federal Pell Grant and Stafford Loan eligibility will be applied to the learner's program of choice, and then applied to any other types of classes at UIU. Those students who wish to enroll in the Independent Study program and are using Financial Aid through another program can use overage funds to pay for the Independent Study tuition. A transfer of funds form will be provided to you by the Center for Distance Education office.
Withdrawing from courses is an expensive decision. For more details on how this decision impacts your Federal Financial Aid, refer to the loan refund policy.
If you have any questions regarding financial aid or billing, please contact the Student Accounts team at the Center for Distance Education Office at 800-553-4150 [1+2] or CDEstudentaccounts@uiu.edu.
Here's some helpful links to more information about UIU: