Tips for Guiding your Student

Let us help you play a supportive role – empowering your student – during their college decision process.

Guiding your student through the college search process is a challenging balancing act – you want to assist yet want them to make their own choice. We offer tips, FAQs and terms to know on this webpage as a way to help you help them.

Tips

FAQs

Terms to Know

Ways to Assist your Student

1. Stay organized throughout the process.

Assist your student in establishing a filing system for sorting information they gather about schools of interest.
Set up a calendar with all relevant and important dates – standardized test registration, standardized test sessions, application and financial aid deadlines and college visits. A well-organized calendar will go a long way toward keeping your student on track.

‌2. Make it 'their' campus visit.

Empower your student to take control of the visit experience. Let them ask their own questions and create their own impressions.
Suggest that your student write a few notes and take photos about things that stood out during the visit.
Ask your student how well they think they’d fit in at each school, both academically and socially. Can they visualize themselves on that campus?
If your student is undecided in the spring semester of their senior year, visit the top 2-3 colleges on their list again. Many colleges, including UNI, offer visit days specifically for admitted students. These events allow undecided students another chance to experience a school and ask any remaining questions they have.
Here's also a helpful article for families with tips for visiting college campuses together.

‌3. Discuss cost, affordability and compare financial aid offers.

Be honest with their student about financials – how much can the family afford? How much will the student contribute?
Make a spreadsheet to compare financial aid offers from different schools.
Discuss the implications of student loan debt. General rule of thumb is to not borrow more than your expected first-year salary.
Encourage your student to apply for as many scholarships as possible, both local and community-based, along with UNI's Scholarship Application.

‌4. Provide guidance without pressure.

Don't pressure your student to pick a particular school.
Schedule a time, perhaps once a week, to sit down together and discuss the process.
If your student asks, offer the pros and cons of schools.
Provide emotional support and a listening ear during the process, helping your student talk through their options, wants and fears.

‌5. Assist them in discovering possible majors and evaluating academic opportunities.

Encourage them to make a list of the things they love and can see themselves doing.
Introduce them to career quizzes.
Help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and personality traits.
Talk with them about long-term career goals. How much time are they willing to spend in school? What kind of hours are they willing to work? Would they be open to relocating for a job? How easy will it be for them to find a job in their field?
Assist them in thinking through the breadth and depth of academic opportunities offered at a university or college.
Compare degree plans to review course descriptions and what may be a good fit for them.

‌6. Talk openly about location.

By talking about location early, you can help your student consider decision-making factors like in-state vs. out-of-state tuition and how costs differ between public and private colleges.
Discuss the size of the city where a school is located, how long it takes to travel home and the cost of living in their new location.

‌7. Focus on finding the right fit.

Fit encompasses many factors, including academics, extracurriculars and campus culture. Assist your student in starting to narrow down their list by making decisions about the size of the school and location, and then move on to aspects that can identified by visiting campus, talking to current students and trusting gut instincts. Take quality of life into account, too, and try to check out dorms, food and recreational facilities on campus.
Every college has its own special vibe; focus on the institutions that mesh the best with who they are as an individual and where they feel they can thrive and succeed.

Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the requirements for admission?

The requirements for freshmen vary depending on how a student chooses to apply (with test scores or as test-optional). No matter how a student applies, they must complete the minimum high school coursework requirements to be admitted and enrolled at UNI.

If your student is a transfer student, see these requirements.

When can a student apply?

UNI's application for admission opens July 1 each year. Students who will be or are senior status can apply anytime after this date. We recommend transfer students apply one year prior to their intended enrollment.

Does UNI have a priority consideration deadline for admission?

No, UNI operates on a rolling admissions basis. Admission of applicants for fall semester begins in July of the preceding year. Admission for other terms begins approximately 12 months prior to the beginning of the term. Admission offers are issued for a specific term and are valid only for the term specified.

Do you require the ACT or SAT for admission?

No, we offer test-optional admission at UNI, allowing students to choose whether they want to submit test scores with admission based on the Regent Admission Index (RAI) or forgo test scores, with admission based on a committee review of high school GPA and core class selections.

What is the admissions process for homeschooled applicants?

Homeschool applicants should submit their homeschool transcripts. We also recommend homeschool students take the ACT or SAT to demonstrate their academic preparation.

Do music majors need to audition for admission to the program?

An audition is required for all music majors. An audition can either be done through a video submission or an in-person visit. Get more details on this page.

Does a separate application need to be submitted to be considered for scholarships?

Students admitted to the university are automatically considered for our admissions-based scholarships.

If a student desires applying for additional, campuswide scholarships, they should complete the UNI Scholarship Application. This one application allows students to apply for hundreds of college- and department-based scholarships. The priority deadline for this application is January 15. Submission review begins after this date.

Are test-optional students eligible for merit-based scholarships?

All students applying, with or without test scores, will be considered for all admissions-based merit scholarships. The assessment of a student’s academic performance is based on a number of factors, including high school GPA, grades received in required coursework and performance in advanced courses (AP, IB, Honors).

When will my student be notified if they have been awarded scholarship(s)?

After October 1, students who have been awarded admission-based scholarships will typically be notified within two weeks of admittance to the university. Recipients of scholarships through the UNI Scholarship Application will be notified by the specific awarding unit, typically by March.

How much does it cost to attend UNI?

See this page for an estimated full cost of attendance, including tuition and fees and room and board, and estimated indirect expenses.

When will we receive our financial aid offer?

If your FAFSA was completed by the January 15 priority deadline, your student will receive their financial aid offer, sent electronically and by mail, by mid-February. Those who file after mid-February will receive their offer electronically a week after the FAFSA has been submitted. You'll receive a mailed version within a week or so of your electronic version. As a reminder, UNI's FAFSA code is 001890.

Can we get a full refund on the acceptance deposit if my student changes their mind about attending UNI?

For our complete acceptance fee policy, visit this page.

How do college credits transfer to UNI?

This page serves as a resource, outlining how Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate Credit (IB) and dual credit/community college coursework transfers into UNI. For more detailed information, specific to Iowa community college courses, visit this page.

What's the process for sending official high school and college transcripts?

This page outlines what your student will need to do to request official transcripts be sent to the Office of Admissions.

Can we verify official transcripts are received?

If you would like to verify your transcripts have been received, email us at admissions@uni.edu.

When will my student receive their UNI email account?

Students receive their official UNI email account during their orientation.

Other FAQs

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Terms to Know

Academic Advisor

An academic mentor who guides a student through their degree. Advisors assist with course registration, make sure the student is taking the right courses in the right order, and help them make important academic decisions. Every first-year student is assigned an advisor, whether or not they have declared a major.

ACT®

The American College Test, known as ACT, is a standardized college admission test that measures a student's skills in four core areas: English, math, reading and science. UNI does not require the ACT for admission consideration.

Stands for Advanced Placement; The AP Program, offered by College Board, allows students to take college-level courses and exams while in high school. A student's AP test score could potentially earn them college credit, based on their performance. For more information on how AP credits would transfer to UNI, visit this page.

Campus

The grounds and buildings of a college.

CatID

CatID is the UNI login (username and password) a student creates when beginning their application for admission. This is the login the student will use throughout the admission process and throughout their time as a UNI student, so it is important to keep special note of what was used. Login assistance can be found here or emailing admissions@uni.edu.

‌College Credit

A college credit is what a student receives when successfully completing a college-level course. Students need a certain number of credits to graduate with a degree. Colleges may also grant credit for scores on AP and CLEP exams. For more information on how credits transfer to UNI, see this page.

‌Common App®

A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one of the nearly 700 colleges that accept it. UNI accepts Common App applications.

‌Cost of Attendance

A college's total estimated expenses for one year including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, loan fees and miscellaneous expenses. See UNI's cost of attendance.

‌Credit Hour

The measurement unit for academic course credit. The number of credit hours per course varies by institution.

‌Dual Credit/Enrollment

A unique opportunity for high school students to take college classes while earning their high school diplomas. See our resource page on this.

‌FAFSA®

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, is the official form to apply for financial aid to pay for college. Specifically, the FAFSA determines who will receive aid in the form of loans, scholarships, and grants based on the information collected from the application. See our resource page on completing the FAFSA.

‌Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. This would make it illegal for UNI to provide private information concerning students, over the age of 18, to anyone including the parents.

Each year, your student can either authorize you or exclude you (or other designated family members) from accessing specific confidential education records. If your student is still considered a dependent for tax purposes, then you can formally request access to their education records. It’s important to remember that you will need to submit a formal written request – as well as documentation of the student’s dependent status – in order to be granted access.

‌Financial Aid

Any type of funding to help pay for college. Grants, work study, student loans and scholarships are all considered financial aid.

‌Financial Aid Offer

A summary of all the financial aid a student has been offered, along with estimated total cost of attendance, sent from a university or college's Financial Aid Office.

‌First Generation

Refers to students who are the first in their families to attend college or whose parents didn’t complete a college degree.

‌FSA ID

A username and password that must be used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites including the FAFSA.

‌GPA

Stands for grade point average. This is a reflection of your student’s academic achievement at school. The GPA is updated after each term’s grades are finalized and reported. A low GPA can lead to academic probation and can jeopardize financial aid.

‌Grant

Need-based financial aid that is money from the state and/or federal government and/or the college that does not need to be paid back. Check out UNI's grants here.

‌In-State vs. Nonresident/Out-of-State Tuition

In-state tuition refers to the rate paid by students with a permanent residence in the state in which their university is located. Out-of-state tuition refers to the rate that students coming from outside the state, including international students, pay to attend a public state school.

‌Loans

Need-based financial aid that must be paid back. There are subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized are loans awarded based on financial need that do not accrue interest while the student is enrolled in school. Unsubsidized loans are available to all students, with eligibility not based on financial need. Unlike a subsidized loan, students with unsubsidized loans are responsible for the interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it’s paid in full.

‌Major

Specialized field of study or subject area that a student chooses to study at college. UNI offers 90+ majors.

‌Matriculate

A matriculated student is one who is both admitted and enrolled at a college or university. A student's "matriculation term" is the first term in which a student is both admitted and enrolled.

‌Minor

A secondary area of specialization beyond a college major. Undergraduates typically complete 16-30 credits to earn a minor. College students do not have to declare a minor to graduate. Undergraduates may use minors to complement their major or explore a different discipline.

‌MyUNIverse

Access using a student's CatID, this is UNI's centralized online student hub. It includes announcements, a student center, academic resources, student loan management and more.

‌Need-based Aid

Financial aid given to a student based on their level of financial need.

‌Net Price

The amount a student will actually pay for college after considering financial aid. A net price calculator is an online tool that gives a personal estimate of what it will cost to attend a specific college. Here’s UNI’s.

‌Orientation

A new student event with programming to introduce students to all aspects of college life and help ensure a smooth transition to campus. Here's more information on UNI's orientation.

‌Pell Grant

Money for college from the federal government (U.S. Department of Education) that does not need to be paid back; given to undergraduate students with financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.

‌Priority Deadline

Not a hard deadline (you can still submit after it) but submissions that are submitted before this deadline will receive priority consideration. UNI had a priority deadline of January 15 for FAFSA and UNI Scholarship Application submissions.

‌Rolling Admissions

Colleges and universities accept applications over a period of several months. As applications arrive, the admissions team reviews them, makes a decision, and notifies the student within a few weeks. This is the process UNI uses.

‌SAT®

The Scholastic Aptitude Test, known as the SAT, is a standardized test that measures a student's skills in three core areas: critical reading, math, and writing. UNI does not require the SAT for admission consideration.

‌Scholarship

A financial award to help your student pay for college. Scholarships can come from the college or university or from outside groups and organizations. Unlike student loans, this is gift money that does not need to be paid back. See UNI's scholarship offerings.

‌Student Aid Index (SAI)

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a replacement for Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is a calculation of the amount of need-based financial aid a student is eligible to receive.

‌Study Abroad

Most colleges and universities run programs that give students a chance to live and take classes in another country for a quarter, semester or year. Learn more about UNI's.

‌Support Services

The people and offices on a college campus that are there to help students. Common support services include physical and mental health services, financial aid and academic tutoring.

‌Test-Optional Admission

When applying to a college or university with test-optional admissions, applicants don't have to submit an SAT or ACT score.

‌Transcript

A transcript is an overview of a student’s academic progress – it includes names and grades for all completed courses, their GPA and their total credit hours.

‌Transfer

The move to a new college; for example, a student can transfer from a community college to a four-year university. Students who transfer are identified as transfer students.

‌Tuition

The amount paid to attend a college. Tuition is only part of the expense – students also pay fees, and room and board is extra.

‌Undergraduate

An undergraduate student is a student who is pursuing a degree at the first level of higher education (meaning the level after high school) at a college or university. Undergraduate students are typically those working to earn a bachelor’s degree. A graduate student is a student who’s pursuing an advanced degree after having earned their undergraduate degree (such as a bachelor’s degree) by graduating from an undergraduate program.

‌Work Study

Work study is a government program for college students with financial needs. It is part of a student's financial aid package but instead of being money a student receives outright, it comes in the form of employment and students may use their income to cover any expenses they want. Students are responsible for applying for available work-study positions; receiving work study doesn't guarantee them a job. More information is available here.

Helpful Articles

Exploring Campuses Together

Navigating the College Search

Prepping for the ACT

Understanding financial aid & scholarships

Filing the FAFSA

Choosing a major and career path

Campus Guides

There are many moving parts that come with the college decision process, especially once a student has made their decision! These are our guides to things like the housing contract and move-in, financial aid offers, orientation and more!