Prospective Students

Paying for college can seem like a daunting task, leaving many students and their families unsure of what to ask or where to start. The UNI Financial Aid Office prides itself on assisting families in understanding the aid process and ensuring that we can make the University of Northern Iowa accessible and affordable. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions along the way.

Cost of Attendance- View a breakdown of tuition and fees as well as other costs associated with attending UNI.

Financial Aid Timeline for Prospective Students- What should I be doing and when?

Glossary of Financial Aid Terminology

Scholarships

Some scholarships at UNI are awarded at the time of admission. Click on this chart to see an outline of the eligibility criteria for these scholarships. Incoming students will receive notification of their selection from the Office of Student Financial Aid

All other scholarships at UNI require the completion of the UNIversity Scholarship Application. This application allows students to apply for scholarships available in specific majors and other University departments.

View a comprehensive list of Grants and Scholarships for Incoming Students for 2010-2011.

Applying for Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA after January 1 of your senior year. Be sure to list the UNI School Code 001890.

Award notices for new freshmen and transfers will begin going out mid-March if you have submitted your FAFSA and provided any necessary documentation to the UNI Financial Aid Office. Students also must be admitted to the university prior to the creation of an award letter.

All students will be able to access their award notification via MyUNIverse within the “My Personal Records” section.

The award notice will outline the various sources of aid used to create your award package such as grants and scholarships, loans, or employment in the form of earnings from a part-time job.

Student Employment

One of the best ways to get involved and meet people on campus is through working on-campus. A variety of jobs are available across campus. Visit the UNI Online Job Board to learn more and apply for positions.

Three Great Reasons to Work On-Campus

Flexibility: Campus employers understand that a student’s first and foremost responsibility is to
succeed academically. Therefore, campus employers work closely with students to develop work schedules that will not hinder their studies. Keeping this in mind, most students work between 8-15 hours per week, allowing them plenty of time to pursue other endeavors.

Quality Experience: On-campus employment positions allow students to obtain quality work experience that often relates to their major(s). Many students choose to obtain positions directly related to their field of study, allowing them to build practical experiences that can enhance their learning in the classroom. In addition, valuable lifelong skills such as communication, leadership, and time management are cultivated through student employment.

Networking: On-campus employment offers students the opportunity to work alongside outstanding faculty and staff at UNI. On-campus employers at UNI provide a network to faculty, staff, and peers, in addition to serving as valuable references for students upon graduation.

Special Circumstances

If you have unusual circumstances, such as high medical bills or a loss of income, contact our office for details on how we may be able to assist you. Families will be asked to provide documentation to support those adjustments.

If you have children for whom you pay childcare expenses to a childcare provider, please contact our office.