Scholarships

Overview

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 (note: students with a graduate assistantship appointment are assessed the resident tuition rate).
Emergency funds are applied for through the Cyclone Success Assistance application with the Office of Student Financial Aid. These requests go to multiple offices across campus for review, and each office will have their own awarding criteria. To be considered for emergency funding awarded by ISSO, the student must have had an immediate financial hardship that may prevent their ability to maintain their valid immigration status or livelihood in the United States.

More information about both types of awards is below.

ISSO Emergency Funding - Cyclone Success Assistance

This funding source is designed to assist international students that have immediate, emergency financial need. These funds are a one-time award to assist with a short-term crisis and are not intended to cover long-term expenses.

Eligibility Requirements:

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 be making satisfactory academic progress.
Applicant must be working in an on-campus employment job or submit compelling documentation explaining why they are not able to work an on-campus job.
This is a one-time award. A student previously awarded emergency funds from the ISSO should not apply again.

Examples of emergency funding needs may include (but are not limited to):

A serious medical situation which results in burdensome medical bills which the student is unable to pay in a reasonable time
Loss of property due to circumstances outside of student’s control (theft, fire, natural disaster, etc.) that is necessary for continued success as a student or livelihood
Victim of a scam which has led to severe financial hardship
Emergency issues impacting a student’s housing situation
Sudden, unexpected change of funding source which may jeopardize student's ability to maintain their immigration status or livelihood in the United States

Examples of what emergency funding cannot support:

Dependent expenses, including expenses related to willfully not having health insurance for a dependent
Expenses not related to a student's livelihood in the United States (expenses supporting home country)
Application or attorney fees
Medical bills for pre-existing conditions or optional procedures
Technology purchases not due to theft, natural disaster, etc. (such as computer)
Travel expenses or conference registrations

Application Requirements:

Complete the Cyclone Success Assistance request in OneApp. Additional details and instructions can be found on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.
- Submitting the Cyclone Success Assistance request will allow your application to be reviewed by all eligible emergency/completion grants campus-wide. Each program may have different requirements or eligibility criteria. When reviewing requests submitted by international students, ISSO reserves the right to request additional information or documentation about your emergency situation.

Application Deadline and Timeline for Awarding:

The Cyclone Success Assistance request will remain open year-round. Applications will be reviewed twice monthly.

ISSO Scholarships in OneApp

Applications in OneApp are open through April 3, 2025. Currently, ISSO has one scholarship award open for this academic year. More opportunities will likely be added when the 2025-2026 OneApp cycle opens in September 2025.

Global Scholars Award for Retention

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be assessed the international tuition rate.
Applicants must have been continuously enrolled at Iowa State University for two semesters (including the term in which they submit their application) at their current education level (undergraduate or graduate).
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.
Applicant must be working in an on-campus employment job or submit compelling documentation explaining 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 (two semesters total). Strong preference is given to students who have not received the Global Scholars Award for Retention 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 for Awarding:

The application will remain open through April 3rd (OneApp close date).
Awardees will be notified by the end of May. Awards will be applied to Ubills for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 (subject to available funds and continued eligibility).
Award Amount: Varies