Grants
Grants are considered "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 UNI students.
Federal grants require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See below for information on the federal TEACH Grant, the Pell Grant, and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The TEACH Grant provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a high-need field and in a low-income school.
There is no separate application to apply for the TEACH Grant; you just need to submit your FAFSA, be in a qualifying major or minor, and meet academic requirements (ACT/SAT or GPA).
NOTE: If you are a graduate student eligible for the TEACH Grant, you must self-identify to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships your first year.
Federal Pell Grant
You must be an undergraduate student pursuing your first bachelor's degree to be eligible for the Pell Grant.
Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula established by law to calculate a student's financial eligibility, known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your Student Aid Report (SAR) lists your EFC in the upper right portion of page 1. Amounts are prorated for students enrolled less than full time.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal need-based grant for students with an EFC between 0-1000. The maximum award is $1,000; funds are limited.
Note: You can't receive both the Tuition Assistance Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant; you can only receive one or the other.
UNI provides institutional grants to eligible students based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible on a yearly basis as funds are limited.
Tuition Assistance Grant
To qualify, you must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined on the FAFSA of 8,000 or less. You can receive the Tuition Assistance Grant at less than full-time enrollment and the amount will be prorated based on your enrollment status. The grant is renewable if you complete your FAFSA each year and your EFC is still 8,000 or less. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so complete your FAFSA as soon as possible each year. Summer availability and awarding parameters are based on availability of funds. Can't be awarded with the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (you can only receive one or the other).
Tuition Guarantee Programs
The Tuition Guarantee Programs (TGP) represent a University commitment to ensure financial assistance and affordable pathways to a UNI education for all families. The TGP programs provide a four-year or two-year commitment of full tuition and fees through a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. Click on the link below to learn more about the requirements and how this program works.
State Grants
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Iowa Financial Aid Application to be considered. In the event that available state funds are insufficient to pay the full amount of each approved grant, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission has the authority to administratively reduce the award.
IMAGES/Multicultural Grant
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be an Iowa resident
- Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis
- Priority is given to student participants in College Bound activities
- Requires ethnic or racial status of African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino/Spanish, Alaskan Native or American Indian, Asian Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
- Must have demonstrated financial need, as determined on the FAFSA
Awards range up to $2000.
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship
The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship is available for one year only. Recipients must demonstrate financial need as determined on the FAFSA with a High School GPA of 2.5 or above. Students must complete an online application through the Iowa College Aid Commission.