ISSO Scholarships and Emergency Funds

Every academic year, ISSO has limited funds available to award to students in the form of financial need-based scholarships or emergency funds. There is a key distinction between an ISSO scholarship and emergency funding request:

  • ISSO scholarships are applied for in OneApp to be awarded in the next semester or academic year (the awards are not immediate). They are designed as temporary financial support for students who have had an unexpected financial hardship in paying their university tuition and fees.
    • A significant portion of scholarship funding is provided by the international differential tuition rate. It may be a requirement of some or all awards that a student must pay the international tuition rate to be eligible.
  • Emergency funds are applied for through the Cyclone Success Assistance application with the Office of Student Financial Aid.

More information about both types of awards is below.

Questions

If you have any questions about ISSO scholarship opportunities or the application process, please email issoscholarships@iastate.edu. For questions related to financial concerns and how they may impact your immigration status in the United States, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your assigned International Student Advisor.

Global Scholars Award for Retention

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be assessed the international tuition rate. Students with a graduate assistantship appointment are not eligible.
  • Applicants must have been continuously enrolled at Iowa State University for two semesters at their current education level (undergraduate or graduate) at time of applying.
    • Applicant must be enrolled at Iowa State University in the semester of receiving the award. If the student has a hold preventing registration that is caused by an outstanding Ubill balance, then the award can be received if it will allow the hold to be lifted.
  • Applicant must have at minimum 2.5 GPA (undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (graduate) at time of applying and maintain this minimum GPA requirement through the semester(s) of receiving the award.
  • Applicant must be working in an on-campus employment job or submit a compelling explanation why they are not able to work an on-campus job.
  • Preference given to students closest to degree completion.

This award is renewable for up to one additional semester based on continued enrollment and eligibility. Strong preference is given to students who have not received the award previously.

Application Requirements:

  • Adequate financial documentation is required to gain admission to Iowa State University and have an immigration document issued. Applicants must:
    • Explain, in detail, what their initial plan was for funding their education, including what/whose financial documentation did they provide for their Form I-20/DS-2019.
    • Explain the unexpected change in funding source or significant financial hardship that occurred after starting their academic program.
    • Have a well-articulated plan for how they will pay for future educational and living expenses after receiving this temporary award, ultimately leading to successful degree completion at Iowa State University. 

Application Deadline and Timeline:

  • Application open through March 25, 2026. Applicants may only apply once for this award.
  • 1st Review: A first review of applications will occur for those submitted by November 1. Awardees notified by the end of the Fall 2025 semester.
  • 2nd Review: A final review of applications will occur after the application deadline March 25. Awardees will be notified by the end of the Spring 2026 semester.

Questions

If you have any questions about ISSO scholarship opportunities or the application process, please email issoscholarships@iastate.edu.

International Impact Scholarship

International students make outstanding contributions academically, culturally, and socially to the Iowa State University community. The International Students and Scholars Office have three scholarship funds that exist to recognize these achievements:

Kennedy-Nehru Memorial Scholarship for the Promotion of International Understanding:

  • Awarded to student(s) that have contributed to the promotion of international understanding while at Iowa State University
  • Available to undergraduate students that have completed at least 16 credit hours at Iowa State.

Marie and Binford Spencer International Scholarship:

  • Awarded to student(s) that have made a commitment or demonstrated a commitment to enhance African, Caribbean, Latin American, Middle Eastern or European culture and/or studies.
  • Available to undergraduate or graduate students. 

Mario Gutierrez Award:

  • Awarded to graduate student that has made outstanding academic contributions to Iowa State University.

Eligibility Requirements for All Awards

  • Must be a degree-seeking student in Spring 2026.
  • Must have at least a 2.5 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) cumulative GPA.
  • Additional eligibility criteria listed in OneApp.

 

Apply in OneApp by March 25th. If you have any questions about ISSO scholarship opportunities or the application process, please email issoscholarships@iastate.edu.

Cyclone Success Assistance (Emergency Financial Aid)

This funding source is designed to assist international students with immediate, emergency financial need. These are one-time awards to help with short-term crises and not long-term expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be enrolled in the semester of receiving the award.
  • Must be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Must work on campus or explain why they cannot.
  • Only one award per student.

Examples of Eligible Emergencies:

  • Serious medical issues, theft, natural disasters
  • Scams causing financial hardship
  • Emergency housing issues
  • Unexpected change in funding jeopardizing immigration status

Not Supported:

  • Dependent/home country expenses
  • Optional or pre-existing medical bills
  • Attorney fees, elective technology/travel purchases

Application Instructions:

Complete the Cyclone Success Assistance request in OneApp. Info available on the Cyclone Success Assistance website. Reviewed twice monthly.

Questions

Email issoscholarships@iastate.edu with questions or meet with your assigned International Student Advisor.

Other Iowa State Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities through Iowa State University should be posted in the centralized OneApp system. We recommend that every student completes the OneApp General Application, as the system may then pair you with available scholarship opportunities. While many scholarships require applicants to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, many other scholarship options may be listed in OneApp that international students are eligible for. Opportunities may be available through academic colleges, departments, campus organizations, or private donors. 

External Scholarships

Scholarships listed below are organizations that have previously had scholarship opportunities that international students have been eligible to apply for. Each scholarship will have its own application dates and eligibility requirements. Please review each opportunity carefully before determining if you are eligible to apply.