Undergraduate Scholarships

Attending university does require a financial commitment. But over a lifetime, it's one of the best investments you can make.

UNI's tuition is below the national average for both public and private institutions and is consistently ranked among the country's "best buys" in higher education. However, the scholarships below are available to give additional support to international students to ensure that UNI is even more affordable.

Students must follow the directions to apply (for awards that are not automatic) and can earn more than one scholarship.

Automatic Admission Scholarships

Students are automatically considered for the following scholarships upon admission to UNI. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years with continuous full-time enrollment and good academic standing.

International Scholars Award: $3,000 - $5,000

International students applying to UNI directly from high school are automatically considered for scholarships ranging from $3,000 - $5,000 annually. Awards are based on academic achievement (SAT or ACT scores or GPA). No UNI Scholarship Application is needed.

Qualifications:

$5,000 - 1130 or higher (SAT) or 3.7 GPA
$3,000 - 1020-1120 (SAT) or 3.5 GPA
Completed application file

Transfer Scholar Award: $1,000 for one year

International students applying to UNI as a transfer student are automatically considered for this $1,000 scholarship. Awards are based on academic achievement (GPA only) and are non-renewable. No UNI Scholarship Application is needed.

Qualifications:

Transfer GPA of 3.25+

UNI Sister States Scholarship: $4,000 per year, for up to four years

All new incoming degree-seeking students, including freshman and transfer, may be eligible for this $4,000 scholarship.

Qualifications:

Proving resident status in one of these Iowa Sister States regions: Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan; Yucatan, Mexico; Hebei Province, China; Terengganu, Malaysia; Stavropol Krai, Russia; Taiwan; Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine; Veneto Region, Italy; and Kosovo.
Completed application file

For more information visit iowasisterstates.org.

Additional Scholarships

The following scholarships require that you apply through the UNI Scholarship Application. The application opens July 1 and the priority deadline is February 1. Students must be admitted in order to complete the scholarship application. Most scholarships are renewable for up to four years with continuous full-time enrollment and good academic standing.

International Excel Award: $1,000 - $6,000 per year, for up to four years

All new incoming degree-seeking students, including freshmen and transfer, with strong academic backgrounds may qualify for this scholarship with awards ranging from $1,000 - $6,000 per year. Admitted students can apply through the UNI Scholarship Application or this separate online application.

Qualifications:

Proof of English proficiency
Examples of leadership and service
Completed application file
UNI Scholarship Application submission

Presidential Scholar Award: $4,000 per year, for up to four years

Awarded each year by the University Honors Program to high school seniors with a history of outstanding academic performance. Recipients must participate in the Presidential Scholar Program.

Qualifications:

3.80+ GPA and 29+ ACT Composite (SAT 1340+) or 3.95+ GPA if admitted by test-optional review
Completed application file
UNI Scholarship Application submission

For more information, visit the Presidential Scholars webpage.

Additional funding-related information

UNI Scholarship Application

UNI Scholarship Directory

Tuition and Fees