Financial aid

<p>I visited Iowa and loved it. But I'm turned off by the cost...36,000 a year. Does anyone know about financial aid here?</p>

<p>BW – I am not sure, but my sense is that the need-based financial aid at Iowa is reasonable. I have not heard about it standing out one way or another. I believe the combination of merit and need-based financial aid is significantly better than average, especially when you factor in the starting point – although the threshold for OOS merit aid is more reachable than other OOS options (see website for info on the National Scholars award to see the requirements). Even without any financial aid, the OOS tuition is one of the lower-cost alternatives for well-ranked schools – compared to other Big 10 schools for example. I believe Iowa has the lowest tuition of any Big 10 school (not sure about Nebraska). </p>

<p>That said, without any financial aid, $37K total costs is still not pocket change, and ,
is likely be more expensive than almost any in-state public school options.</p>

<p>Alright, thanks so much!!!</p>

<p>From my experience financial aid is great. I also once read on the University of Iowa website that over 60 percent of the graduate class of 2010 were debt free. Of course a lot of those students may have not received financial aid but I am sure many did.</p>

<p>Wow thats a high number!!!</p>

<p>Oops… I meant 40 percent.</p>

<p>[Costs</a> & Financial Aid - Undergraduate Admissions - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/costs/index.html]Costs”>http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/costs/index.html)</p>

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<p>Haha I was going to say… But I’ve decided that if I get accepted I’ll probably go even though the high cost. It is a great college</p>

<p>I can not think of anything to complain about the school, at most it is the school website (ah…). It is a really great school, glad you have interest.</p>

<p>Yeah I also am thinking u of minn, any thoughts on that?</p>

<p>I would overlook UMinn, its overrated.</p>

<p>I visited both, and liked Iowa way more, it’s just I’m from mn so it would be cheaper</p>

<p>I don’t want to go off topics from your original post in that it may give room for others to answer but if Iowa doesn’t work, go to Wisconsin. Also a really great school, I say Wisconsin because your a Minnesota resident and get instate tuition. Why past that opportunity? Unless you can go to Iowa.</p>

<p>I might have a problem getting into Wisconsin, I’m average at Iowa and below at mn but I’m in state so I’ll probably get in, but thanks for the suggestion!!</p>

<p>Go to Minnesota. If your parents are paying; have them save and invest the difference in costs (about $13000 per year). Then, years after you graduate have them gift that money to you for a downpayment on a house… $52000 plus any accumulated investment appreciation. You could also use it for potential grad school expenses.</p>

<p>Would getting into mn be a problem? 3.33 gpa 25 act</p>

<p>Bryanwalt,
You should probably pop over to the U of M forum to ask your chances of admissions at that school.</p>

<p>I live in the Twin Cities but send my son to Iowa over the U of M chiefly because I want him to have the chance to grow up away from home. But it does, as Haystack points out, cost me considerably more. The schools are as different as night and day. I suggest you determine which you really prefer (sounds like Iowa), then determine your likelihood of financial aid (see below) and go to your parents to see which school works financially.</p>

<p>I think you are right in guessing that Wisc is a long-shot with your stats. Which is OK because Iowa has many UW characteristics without the ridiculous tough admissions.</p>

<p>Now to financial aid. No one here can tell you about NEED based aid as that depends on your family’s financial situation which the government determines and calls EFC (expected family contribution). But we can tell you about MERIT based aid and other forms of aid available to you if you belong to one of several special groups which Iowa is trying to help out. All available need-based scholarships are explained very nicely here:
[Scholarships</a> for First-Year Students - Undergraduate Admissions - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/scholarships/first-year.htm]Scholarships”>http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/undergrad/scholarships/first-year.htm)</p>

<p>Does anyone know more about or have received the “Advantage” schlorship through the University of Iowa? I was wondering if my daughter would qualify for this due to low income. I also have a son in college and his EFC was 0 last year even without 2 in college yet.</p>