Skip to content

Types of Financial Aid

Fayette Campus Undergraduate Students

Fayette Students: Scholarships

Fayette Campus Tuition Lowered for the 2023-24 Academic Year!

Beginning fall of 2023, Upper Iowa University’s tuition and fees cost will be reduced from $33,639 to $19,000. This new rate makes UIU one of the lowest priced private, nonprofit institutions in Iowa. Learn more about the new tuition rate.

Peacock Promise

The Peacock Promise is an Upper Iowa University financial assistance program that will make college free for many Iowa students. The Peacock Promise eliminates tuition for any student eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant attending UIU’s Fayette Campus—beginning for new students in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Merit Scholarships

We offer renewable merit scholarships to incoming freshman at the Fayette campus.

Students must maintain the academic standards specified. The freshman scholarships are renewable for 5 years, while the transfer scholarships are renewable for 3. Although some scholarships and grants are not based upon financial need, the amount of an award would be reduced only to comply with state or federal requirements.

In addition, the University awards more than $100,000 each year to its current students who are selected by the UIU Honors and Awards Committee.

Renewable Merit Scholarships for Freshmen

Trustee Scholarship  $5,500  per academic year for full-time enrollment 
Presidential Scholarship  $3,500 per academic year for full-time enrollment 
Dean’s Scholarship  $2,000  per academic year for full-time enrollment 
Achievement Scholarship  $500  per academic year for full-time enrollment 

Transfer Students

Planning on transferring to Upper Iowa’s Fayette campus? UIU provides academic scholarships for transfer students, as well as our generous Transfer Scholarship of up to $5,500 /year for students transferring at least 48 credit hours with a cummulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Scholarships for Transfer Students

Alexander Scholarship (Renewable)  $3,500  for students with a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.5 or above 
Mott Scholarship (Renewable)  $2,000  for students with a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.0 or above 
Albright Scholarship (Renewable)  $1,000  for students with a minimum cumulative transfer GPA 2.0 – 2.99 
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship   $1,000  scholarships for students with a minimum 3.5 cumulative transfer GPA and 30 completed credit hours (at the time of application). Students must be members of Phi Theta Kappa, verified by providing a copy of PTK membership to the UIU Admissions Office.

 

Upper Iowa University accepts up to 78 semester hours of credit from a two-year institution and 90 credit hours from a four-year institution.

General Renewable Scholarships

  • Legacy Scholarships are available to sons and/or daughters of previous graduates of Upper Iowa University. Students must be enrolled full-time students during the fall and/or spring semester to qualify for this grant. This grant will apply to all children, including adopted or legal stepchildren and will not exclude those children who are independent of the family due to marriage or age.  Award is up to $4,000 ($500 per semester – 8 semesters total).
  • Upper Iowa University Grants are made available to students who show strong academic promise, are capable of doing satisfactory college-level work, and have demonstrated financial need. The amount of remaining financial need will determine the amount of the award. To be eligible, students must gain admission to the University as regular, full-time students and apply for financial assistance.

Fayette Students: Loans

Student Loan Programs

What aid am I eligible for by completing the FAFSA? You may be eligible for federal or state grants (free aid), as well as federal loans (you MUST pay back).

What is a Federal Student Loan? A form of Federal Aid that students qualify for to assist with educational expenses. If you decide to take out a Federal Student Loan you will be responsible for repaying the loan once you graduate or drop below half time enrollment.

How do I apply for Federal Student Loans? By completing the FAFSA you are eligible to receive Federal Student Loans.

What is Entrance Counseling? Federally required counseling for students who have been awarded and accepted Federal Student Loans.

Am I required to complete Entrance Counseling? If you have not previously received a Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), the Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming. If you are completing entrance counseling to borrow a loan as an undergraduate student, then the entrance counseling will fulfill counseling requirements for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

How do I complete the Entrance Counseling? This can be completed on studentloans.gov

What is a Master Promissory Note (MPN)? This is a federally required document, indicating a promise to repay all Federal Student Loans that I have borrowed.

What if I have already completed an MPN for another school? Upper Iowa requires that you complete a new MPN for our institution.

Where do I complete the MPN? This can be completed on studentloans.gov

What is Borrower Exit Counseling? Federally required counseling for students who have graduated, left the university, or have dropped below half-time enrollment. Exit counseling provides important information you may need as you enter repayment of your Federal Student Loan(s).

Where do I complete Borrower Exit Counseling? This can be completed on studentloans.gov

Responsible Borrowing
If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who the lender is and the terms and conditions of the loan. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Loans made by the federal government, offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources. Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans.

Loans

What are Federal Subsidized Loans? A need-based Federal Loan on which the Department of Education pays the interest until the student graduates or drops below half time enrollment.

What are Federal Unsubsidized Loans? A non-need based Federal Loan where the student liable for paying accruing interest. The interest starts accruing at the time of disbursement.

The federal government has a variety of federal loan options available for students and parents, and we encourage you to review the following information carefully before making any decisions about your loans. If you have previously borrowed federal student loans at the Upper Iowa University or another postsecondary institution, you should begin by reviewing your borrowing history at www.nslds.ed.gov using your FSA ID. This will give you a better idea of how much you have borrowed to date and what your repayments might look like after graduation. Most importantly, remember that these are loans and they must be repaid, so borrow only what you need. Please refer to the following links to help you better understand your loan options. You do not have to make payments on Direct Stafford Loans while you are enrolled at least half-time (deferment). You also have a six-month grace period after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment before you begin repayment.

Federal Direct Student Loans

What is a Federal Direct Student Loan? A form of federal aid for eligible students to assist with educational expenses. Students who borrow federal loan funds are responsible for paying them back.

How do I apply for Federal Student Loans? The first step is filing your FAFSA, and then you must submit all required paperwork to the Financial Aid Office in order to determine your loan eligibility.

What is Borrower Entrance Counseling? Required federal counseling for students to learn about the requirements of the federal loan program. Counseling is completed at studentloans.gov

What is a Master Promissory Note (MPN) Arequired federal “promise to pay” document. The MPN is completed at studentloans.gov

What is Borrower Exit Counseling? Required federal counseling for students who have graduated, withdrawn from the university, or have dropped below a half-time enrollment status. Exit counseling provides important information about the repayment of your Federal Student Loan(s). Counseling is completed at studentloans.gov

What is a Federal Subsidized Loan? A financial need-based Federal Loan in which the Department of Education pays the interest until the student either graduates or drops below a half-time enrollment status.

What is a Federal Unsubsidized Loan? A non-need based Federal Loan in which the student is responsible for paying any accruing interest. Interest rates begin accruing at the time of disbursement.

What is a Federal PLUS Loan? A loan option for parents to assist their undergraduate dependent students with educational expenses.  Parents can apply for PLUS loans at studentloans.gov

Responsible Borrowing
If you decide to borrow federal loan funds, make sure that you understand who your lender is and what the terms and conditions of the loan are. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private lending sources such as a bank or financial institution. Federal loans offer student borrowers lower interest rates and more flexibility with repayment options than what a private lending institution will. Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans.

Find out more about the Federal Student loan program.

Alternative Loans: Loan option offered through private banks and lenders. Generally only accepted if all other financial aid options have been exhausted.

  • Credit-based loan options offered by private banks and lenders. These loans are only processed after all federal, state, and institutional eligibility has been exhausted.
  • Exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • Information regarding these types of loan programs for both student and parent borrowers, as well as a comparison tool for the most frequently used credit-based lenders by UIU students, can be found at FastChoice. Upper Iowa University does not endorse any credit-based loan programs. Borrowers may choose to pursue a credit-based loan with any lender that they wish, this is only a starting point and only provides a reference point for researching these types of loan programs.
  • Students who wish to borrow in a credit-based loan program must also complete the Game Plan, an online credit counseling program before the loan can be certified by the Financial Aid Office.

Fayette Students: Grants

Grants are “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid. Eligibility for grants is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as calculated on the FAFSA. Review the information below to learn more about the various federal, state, and institutional grants available to UIU students.

Iowa Tuition Grant

A state grant available to eligible Iowa residents pursuing a college degree at a private institution.  This grant is awarded to students from low and middle income families who show financial need and are degree seeking.  The Iowa Tuition grant award amount is based on the amount of credit hours per semester a student is enrolled in.  The annual amount is determined by the Iowa Legislature and can be increased or decreased depending on availability of funds.

Future Ready Iowa Grant

The Future Ready Iowa Grant was designed for Iowa students who are pursuing high need professions and are 25 and over. Eligible students must be enrolled at least part time in a bachelor’s degree program at a qualifying school. Recipients must be continuously enrolled to remain eligible. First time applicants must submit both the FAFSA and the Iowa Financial Aid Application Renewal applicants need only submit the FAFSA. Applications are funded in date received order. Funding eligibility is determined by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.

Eligible Upper Iowa University programs can be found on educate.iowa.gov.

 

Pell Grant

The federal government determines eligibility and award amounts for this grant. Pell Grants are considered to be “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid.  The Pell grant is disbursed by the semester for Fayette campus students, by the session for center and online students and at the completion of the first set of classes for self-paced degree plan students. Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree. The maximum lifetime eligibility is 600 percent. This would be approximately 12 semesters or 6 years.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

A federal grant made available to UIU students on a first come-first serve basis. Funds are awarded to eligible students until the yearly allocation is spent.  Students must have a 0 EFC, as determined by the FAFSA, and must be Pell grant eligible, in order to receive this award.

Federal TEACH Grant

A federal grant available for eligible students pursuing an undergraduate degree in education, or graduate degree in the Masters of Education program. Eligible students must maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA to receive and maintain eligibility.  Students may receive up to a lifetime maximum of $16,000 for undergraduate study and up to $8000 for graduate study. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be pro-rated based on enrollment status.   If students do not fulfill the stated teaching requirements, the grant will be converted to an unsubsidized loan. Eligible students must agree to teach in designated shortage fields.  Students who receive the Federal Teach Grant will complete the Teach Grant Counseling, sign the Teach Grant Agreement to Serve and complete the UIU Teach Grant Application and Entrance Counseling.  Students who are recipients of this grant should complete the Federal Teach Grant Exit Counseling upon graduation, ceasing enrollment, or changing their major to a non-education field.

Fayette Students: Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is a federal aid program that provides employment opportunities for eligible undergraduate students who would like to work to help pay for college. The student must indicate on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they are interested in Federal Work Study, and must show financial need (as determined by the Financial Aid Office).

How do I know if I qualify for Federal Work-Study? The fund will be on your award.

How do I find a job? Visit Handshake!

What’s next? You will be given a Federal Work-Study packet from the Human Resources Department at UIU, with payroll documents and a contract that must be completed, prior to working.

Where can I work? Jobs are available on campus and in other various locations within the community.

What is the hourly rate? You will earn the standard hourly rate as determined by Upper Iowa University.

How many hours can I work? You can work up to 20 hours per week during the regular academic school year.

How much can I earn? You can earn the amount that is on your award.

Can I use my Federal Work Study funds to pay my account balance? Federal Work-Study funds are paid directly to the student for hours worked. If you would like to apply it towards your balance, you can discuss your options with the Student Accounts department.

If I’m an International student or non-citizen, can I apply for Federal Work-Study jobs? Not unless you are eligible and are one of the following: A U.S. Citizen, an eligible non-citizen, or a U.S. Permanent Resident with a permanent resident card as determined by the UIU Financial Aid Office.

Center/Online Program Undergraduate Students

Center/Online Students: Scholarships

Other Scholarships

Legacy

  • $500 yearly
  • Alumni Scholarships are available to sons and/or daughters of previous graduates of Upper Iowa University. Students must be enrolled full-time students during the fall and/or spring semester to qualify for this grant. This grant will apply to all children, including adopted or legal stepchildren and will not exclude those children who are independent of the family due to marriage or age.

Honors and Awards

  • UIU private donor scholarships
  • Current students may apply every year
  • Application is available in the fall for the following year (application runs October – December)
  • Fill out one application for all scholarships
  • Available to all current students

Outside Scholarships

Center/Online Students: Loans

Student Loan Programs

What aid am I eligible for by completing the FAFSA? You may be eligible for federal or state grants (free aid), as well as federal loans (you MUST pay back).

Federal Direct Student Loans

What is a Federal Direct Student Loan? A form of federal aid for eligible students to assist with educational expenses. Students who borrow federal loan funds are responsible for paying them back.

How do I apply for Federal Student Loans? The first step is filing your FAFSA, and then you must submit all required paperwork to the Financial Aid Office in order to determine your loan eligibility.

What is Borrower Entrance Counseling? Required federal counseling for students to learn about the requirements of the federal loan program. Counseling is completed at studentaid.gov

What is a Master Promissory Note (MPN) Arequired federal “promise to pay” document. The MPN is completed at studentaid.gov

What is Borrower Exit Counseling? Required federal counseling for students who have graduated, withdrawn from the university, or have dropped below a half-time enrollment status. Exit counseling provides important information about the repayment of your Federal Student Loan(s). Counseling is completed at studentaid.gov

What is a Federal Subsidized Loan? A financial need-based Federal Loan in which the Department of Education pays the interest until the student either graduates or drops below a half-time enrollment status.

What is a Federal Unsubsidized Loan? A non-need based Federal Loan in which the student is responsible for paying any accruing interest. Interest rates begin accruing at the time of disbursement.

What is a Federal PLUS Loan? A loan option for parents to assist their undergraduate dependent students with educational expenses.  Parents can apply for PLUS loans at studentaid.gov

Responsible Borrowing
If you decide to borrow federal loan funds, make sure that you understand who your lender is and what the terms and conditions of the loan are. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private lending sources such as a bank or financial institution. Federal loans offer student borrowers lower interest rates and more flexibility with repayment options than what a private lending institution will. Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans.

Find out more about the Federal Student loan program.

Alternative Loans: Loan option offered through private banks and lenders. Generally only accepted if all other financial aid options have been exhausted.

  • Credit-based loan options offered by private banks and lenders. These loans are only processed after all federal, state, and institutional eligibility has been exhausted.
  • Exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • Information regarding these types of loan programs for both student and parent borrowers, as well as a comparison tool for the most frequently used credit-based lenders by UIU students, can be found at FastChoice. Upper Iowa University does not endorse any credit-based loan programs. Borrowers may choose to pursue a credit-based loan with any lender that they wish, this is only a starting point and only provides a reference point for researching these types of loan programs.
  • Students who wish to borrow in a credit-based loan program must also complete the Game Plan, an online credit counseling program before the loan can be certified by the Financial Aid Office.

Center/Online Students: Grants

Grants are “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid. Eligibility for grants is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as calculated on the FAFSA. Review the information below to learn more about the various federal, state, and institutional grants available to UIU students.

Iowa Tuition Grant

A state grant available to eligible Iowa residents pursuing a college degree at a private institution.  This grant is awarded to students from low and middle income families who show financial need and are degree seeking.  The Iowa Tuition grant award amount is based on the amount of credit hours per semester a student is enrolled in.  The annual amount is determined by the Iowa Legislature and can be increased or decreased depending on availability of funds.

Future Ready Iowa Grant

The Future Ready Iowa Grant was designed for Iowa students who are pursuing high need professions and are 25 and over. Eligible students must be enrolled at least part time in a bachelor’s degree program at a qualifying school. Recipients must be continuously enrolled to remain eligible. First time applicants must submit both the FAFSA and the Iowa Financial Aid Application Renewal applicants need only submit the FAFSA. Applications are funded in date received order. Funding eligibility is determined by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission.

Eligible Upper Iowa University programs can be found on educate.iowa.gov.

 

Pell Grant

The federal government determines eligibility and award amounts for this grant. Pell Grants are considered to be “gift aid” and do not have to be repaid.  The Pell grant is disbursed by the semester for Fayette campus students, by the session for center and online students and at the completion of the first set of classes for self-paced degree plan students. Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree. The maximum lifetime eligibility is 600 percent. This would be approximately 12 semesters or 6 years.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

A federal grant made available to UIU students on a first come-first serve basis. Funds are awarded to eligible students until the yearly allocation is spent.  Students must have a 0 EFC, as determined by the FAFSA, and must be Pell grant eligible, in order to receive this award.

Federal TEACH Grant

A federal grant available for eligible students pursuing an undergraduate degree in education, or graduate degree in the Masters of Education program. Eligible students must maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA to receive and maintain eligibility.  Students may receive up to a lifetime maximum of $16,000 for undergraduate study and up to $8000 for graduate study. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be pro-rated based on enrollment status.   If students do not fulfill the stated teaching requirements, the grant will be converted to an unsubsidized loan. Eligible students must agree to teach in designated shortage fields.  Students who receive the Federal Teach Grant will complete the Teach Grant Counseling, sign the Teach Grant Agreement to Serve and complete the UIU Teach Grant Application and Entrance Counseling.  Students who are recipients of this grant should complete the Federal Teach Grant Exit Counseling upon graduation, ceasing enrollment, or changing their major to a non-education field.

Self-Paced Degree Program Students

Self-Paced Undergraduate Students

Self-Paced Degree Program Handbook

What is the Self-Paced Degree Program (SPDP)?

A correspondence course is a 6 month home-study course in which UIU provides instructional material to students who are not physically attending classes in a UIU classroom

Is financial aid available for the SPDP?

Financial aid is available for accepted degree seeking students who are enrolled at least half-time (2 courses (6 credits) for two six-month enrollment periods).  Eligible students can receive financial aid for the cost of tuition and an estimated book allowance.

How long is the SPDP Academic year?

The defined SPDP academic year is 2 calendar years (24 months) of continuous enrollment. Courses in this program are 6 months in length.  There are 12 start dates for each academic year.  Students must register for 2 courses per each 6 month enrollment period. For federal aid purposes, the start date of each academic year is May 1st.

Can I enroll in other classes that are not considered SPDP?

Yes, but you can only receive financial aid in one program of choice. See examples below:

Student A is enrolled in 6 credits of self-paced study and 3 credit at one of the center locations.  Student A would receive aid for the 6 credits self-paced, but not for the 3 credits at the center location.

Student B is enrolled in 6 credits at one of the center locations and the 3 credits of self-paced study.  Student B would receive aid for the 6 credits taken at the center location, but not for the 3 credits of self-paced study.

When will I receive my financial aid for the SPDP?

Financial aid is awarded yearly and disbursed to eligible students after successfully completing each 6 month enrollment in the payment period throughout the program’s academic year.  Any earned aid is disbursed and applied towards the self-paced charges.

Please contact your advisor to register for the next set of courses prior to completing your current courses. Otherwise, please notify the Financial Aid Office of your intent to not re-enroll.

Status can only be obtained through Center and/or Online Program enrollment. Self-Paced Degree Program enrollment is always considered half-time or less for 3-12 credits.

Graduate Program Students

Graduate Students: Loans

Student Loan Programs

What aid am I eligible for by completing the FAFSA? You may be eligible for federal or state grants (free aid), as well as federal loans (you MUST pay back).

Federal Direct Student Loans

What is a Federal Direct Student Loan? A form of federal aid for eligible students to assist with educational expenses. Students who borrow federal loan funds are responsible for paying them back.

How do I apply for Federal Student Loans? The first step is filing your FAFSA, and then you must submit all required paperwork to the Financial Aid Office in order to determine your loan eligibility.

What is Borrower Entrance Counseling? Required federal counseling for students to learn about the requirements of the federal loan program. Counseling is completed at studentloans.gov

What is a Master Promissory Note (MPN) A required federal “promise to pay” document. The MPN is completed at studentloans.gov

What is Borrower Exit Counseling? Required federal counseling for students who have graduated, withdrawn from the university, or have dropped below a half-time enrollment status. Exit counseling provides important information about the repayment of your Federal Student Loan(s). Counseling is completed at studentloans.gov

What is a Federal Subsidized Loan? A financial need-based Federal Loan in which the Department of Education pays the interest until the student either graduates or drops below a half-time enrollment status.

What is a Federal Unsubsidized Loan? A non-need based Federal Loan in which the student is responsible for paying any accruing interest. Interest rates begin accruing at the time of disbursement.

What is a Federal PLUS Loan? A loan option for parents to assist their undergraduate dependent students with educational expenses.  Parents can apply for PLUS loans at studentloans.gov

Responsible Borrowing
If you decide to borrow federal loan funds, make sure that you understand who your lender is and what the terms and conditions of the loan are. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private lending sources such as a bank or financial institution. Federal loans offer student borrowers lower interest rates and more flexibility with repayment options than what a private lending institution will. Learn more about the differences between federal and private student loans.

To find out more about the Federal Student loan program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans

Alternative Loans: Loan option offered through private banks and lenders. Generally only accepted if all other financial aid options have been exhausted.

  • Credit-based loan options offered by private banks and lenders. These loans are only processed after all federal, state, and institutional eligibility has been exhausted.
  • Exceptions will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • Information regarding these types of loan programs for both student and parent borrowers, as well as a comparison tool for the most frequently used credit-based lenders by UIU students, can be found at FastChoice. Upper Iowa University does not endorse any credit-based loan programs. Borrowers may choose to pursue a credit-based loan with any lender that they wish, this is only a starting point and only provides a reference point for researching these types of loan programs.
  • Students who wish to borrow in a credit-based loan program must also complete the Game Plan, an online credit counseling program before the loan can be certified by the Financial Aid Office.

Apply for Aid FAFSA®

Take time to review the options that are available to you through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Our school code is 001893 

Apply for Admission

First-time, transfer, online, international and military students: No matter your path or previous experience, we’ll help you every step of the way.