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:

  • International Students and Scholars General Application is applied for in OneApp and reviewed on a monthly basis. If awarded, the award will apply to the student's current term of enrollment. They are designed as temporary financial support for students who have had an unexpected financial hardship in paying their university tuition and fees.
    • Only students that pay the international tuition rate are eligible for these awards. Students with a graduate assistantship appointment pay the resident tuition rate, and are not eligible to apply.
  • Cyclone Success Assistance is a university-wide emergency funding application reviewed by multiple offices across campus. Students submit the Cyclone Success Assistance application with the Office of Student Financial Aid.
    • Each office or college that reviews will have their own individual criteria for awarding.
    • ISSO tries to review applications roughly every 2-3 weeks.

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.

International Students and Scholars General Application

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 2.0 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.

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, 2027, when the OneApp system closes for the academic year. 
  • Applicants may only apply once per academic year for this award.
  • Rolling Review: 
    • ISSO will review applications roughly once per month and awards will be provided for the current term.
    • Applications will remain active throughout the academic year, and can be re-reviewed for awarding as funds allow.

Questions

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.

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 Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
  • Must have at least a 2.0 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (graduate) cumulative GPA.
  • Additional eligibility criteria listed in OneApp.

 

This award is currently closed, and is expected to open December 1st in OneApp. If you have any questions about ISSO scholarship opportunities or the application process, please email issoscholarships@iastate.edu.

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.