Tuition, Fees and Expenses
For the most current and complete information see http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/
All tuition, fees, expenses, and policies listed in this publication are effective summer session 2015 and are subject to change without notice by Iowa State University and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
Tuition and fees are based on credit load at 5:00 p.m. on the 10th day of class, which is the last day for adjustments downward in tuition and fee assessment.
Tuition
Tuition is charged based upon the number of credits in which a student is enrolled. Maximum charges start at 12 credits for undergraduate and veterinary medicine students. Maximum charges start at 9 credits for graduate students.
Students who are not residents of Iowa pay a higher tuition rate each semester. Nondegree undergraduate students and noncollegiate students pay the same fees as undergraduates. Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with regulations of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. Information about these regulations are found in this catalog under Admissions and Registrar.
Fees
Following are the descriptions of several commonly assessed fees for Iowa State University students. The list is not inclusive. All fees are subject to change without notice.
Account Review Fee (per credit hour): This fee will be assessed to those students who request account research for prior semester periods. The $10 per hour fee (with a minimum of $10) helps defray the costs of personnel time taken to perform the research, which involves gathering information from various sources when the request is made for a prior semester.
Activity, Services, Building and Recreation: The activity, services & building fee is a mandatory fee that supports a variety of activities and services for all students. It is not based on whether or not a student uses an individual activity or service. This fee provides several benefits such as student admission rates to concerts and athletic events and, unlimited use of CyRide, the Ames bus system. In addition, the fee provides support for campus recreation facilities, the Memorial Union, and campus organizations and services as allocated by the Government of the Student Body. All students will be charged a maximum of $322.95 each fall and spring semester, and $162 per summer semester. The activity, services, building and recreation fee includes assessments of the following amounts for each fall and spring semester.
| Fee Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student Activities | 36.75 |
| Student Services | 97.85 |
| Building | 27.55 |
| Recreation | 160.80 |
| Total | 322.95 |
Exemptions are granted for students exclusively registered for the following: distance education courses (sections beginning with X); courses for which no tuition is assessed; continuous registration status courses, and high school students enrolled under the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act. Students in exemption categories named above may elect to pay this fee and will be assessed based upon their enrollment status.
For students who withdraw or change to an exempt status as defined above, the tuition adjustment schedule will also be used for the activity fee.
Additional Billing Statement: A student can authorize the ISU Accounts Receivable Office to mail a billing statement to another individual. The cost of the Additional Billing Fee to mail a monthly paper statement is $8 per semester. This remains in effect as long as the student is enrolled or until discontinued by the student.
Application Fees (non-refundable):
Undergraduate Domestic Student and Non-Degree Student - This $40 application fee is charged to individuals in the
undergraduate domestic student and non-degree student categories applying for admission to Iowa State University.
This fee is charged to cover administrative costs such as IT costs, personnel, and postage.
Undergraduate International Student - This $50 application fee is charged to non-immigrants applying for
undergraduate admission to Iowa State University. This fee is charged to cover administrative costs such as IT costs,
personnel, and postage. These individuals are charged a higher rate because of the additional costs associated with
the evaluation of foreign academic records, the need to maintain certain resource materials and immigration forms,
and increased postage for overseas mailings.
Graduate Domestic Student - This $60 application fee is charged to individuals in the graduate domestic student
category applying for admission to Iowa State University. This fee is charged to cover administrative costs such as
IT costs, personnel, and postage.
Graduate International Student - This $100 application fee is charged to non-immigrants applying for graduate
admission to Iowa State University. This fee is charged to cover administrative costs such as IT costs, personnel,
and postage. These individuals are charged a higher rate because of additional costs associated with the evaluation
of foreign academic records, the need to maintain certain resource materials and immigration forms, and increased
postage for overseas mailings.
Veterinary Medicine Student - This $75 application fee is charged to individuals applying for admission to the Veterinary
Medicine College at Iowa State University for their first degree-seeking enrollment. This fee is charged to cover
administrative costs such as IT costs, personnel, and postage.
Applied Music Fees (range of $100 - $290): The music fee is charged to students receiving private music instruction and is in addition to regular tuition. The fee offsets the costs of one-on-one instruction. Revenue generated from this fee is returned to students through music scholarships.
One credit of instruction is $150; the fee for two or three credits is $190.
Career Services: The career services fees vary among college-based career services offices ranging from $0 - $25 per student.
Continuing Education (per credit hour) : A special tuition rate is assessed to students participating in these programs. The undergraduate assessment is $277 per credit and the graduate rate is $452 per credit. Summer camp programs entitled to the special rate are Anthropology and Geology. Students will be charged other fees in addition to tuition for enrolling in these programs. To obtain total fee information, students should contact the director of the individual program.
Delivery: Some distance education courses charge a delivery fee to offset additional expenses incurred in offering a course at a distance. Applicable delivery fees are listed with the specific course in the Schedule of Classes available at http://classes.iastate.edu . Delivery fees also appear on each student's schedule detail available on AccessPlus.
Departmental Exam for Credit Fee (per exam): This $100 fee partially covers the expenses of creating or purchasing, administering, and scoring special examinations to determine whether students may receive test-out credit for a course in which they are not formally enrolled.
Developmental: A developmental course fee is charged in addition to the tuition charged for other courses on the student's schedule. For example: A student taking 12 credits plus a developmental course will pay full-time tuition for the 12 credits, plus the developmental course fee(s). Developmental course fees range from $160 - $530. These fees are intended to cover the direct costs of offering these developmental courses.
Diploma Replacement Fee: This $25 fee is charged to individuals who have lost their diploma and have requested a replacement. The charge covers the cost of printing the diploma, personnel to process the order, postage, and other administrative costs.
Doctoral Post Comprehensive or Prelim: Doctoral students who have passed the Ph.D. preliminary examination must register and pay appropriate fees. Students who are not on assistantship, and do not use the facilities, equipment, or staff time may pay this minimum fee of $70 in lieu of registration for credit. By so registering, they certify their continuing intention to complete their degree program.
FAX Fee (for sending official documents): A $7 FAX fee is charged for sending official documents, such as transcripts, certifications, and statement of account, using FAX technology. The fee covers the phone charges and personnel costs associated with preparing and sending the document.
Graduate College Fees - Copyright Fees – Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis (Optional): PhD and Master’s candidates may pay an optional fee of $55 for copyright services offered through ProQuest/UMI. The copyright fee covers the U.S. copyright fee as well as the costs to ProQuest of the copies required by the Copyright Office. The student will authorize this on-line with a credit card when submitting the electronic thesis.
Graduate College Fees - Open Access Publication Fees (Optional): Graduate students may choose Open Access Publishing PLUS from ProQuest, which ensures the widest possible exposure of the scholarship in the author’s thesis or dissertation. There is a fee of $95 for this optional service. The student authorizes this charge on line with a credit card when the electronic thesis or dissertation is submitted. Alternatively, ProQuest offers Traditional Publishing, for which no fee is charged.
Graduation and Degree Application Fee: This $75 fee is assessed to students when they submit an application for graduation. This fee partially covers costs associated with degree audits, senior degree evaluation, and the commencement ceremony. Additional costs include IT costs, personnel, postage/mailing of diplomas, and various supplies such as diploma paper, diploma covers, and honor cords. This fee also supports commencement ceremonies (including honorariums, facility costs, personnel, and the commencement program), and the University's degree audit system, which provides both students and their advisers comprehensive, timely, and frequent information about progress towards degree. This fee is non-refundable.
Late Fee for Applying After Deadline (Graduate College students only) - A late fee of $20 will be assessed to
Graduate College students applying for graduation after the graduation application deadline for a specific
semester.
Health Facility: All students are charged an $8 Health Facility Fee each semester except for students exclusively registered for the following: distance education courses (courses with sections beginning with X); courses for which no tuition is assessed; continuous registration status courses; and high school students enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act. These exceptions do not apply to international students (except where noted) or graduate students on graduate assistantships. For students who withdraw or change to an exempt status as defined above, the refund schedule for tuition will be used for the health facility fee.
Students who carry the ISU sponsored student health insurance must also be assessed the health facility fee.
Health (Student Health): A $98 student health fee, which partially finances the services of the Thielen Student Health Center, is charged to all students each semester. This fee is not assessed to students enrolled for four or fewer credits or students exclusively registered for the following: distance education courses (courses with sections beginning with X); courses for which no tuition is assessed; continuous registration status courses; Lakeside Laboratory courses; ISU employees whose primary role at the university is as an employee; and high school students enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act. (These exemptions do not apply to international students or to graduate students on graduate assistantships.) Students who are exempt from the mandatory health fee may use the services of the Thielen Student Health Center on a fee for service basis, or may elect to pay the $98 Health Fee and $8 Health Facility Fee, which allows participants to receive services at the Thielen Student Health Center for the same rate as students who pay the mandatory health fees. Spouses/domestic partners of students who wish to use the Thielen Student Health Center must pay the $98 Health Fee and $8 Health Facility Fee.
Students who withdraw or change to an exempt status as defined above will receive a credit adjustment of 100 percent through the 10th day of classes, with no credit adjustment after the 10th day of classes. Students who add courses at any time during the semester will be assessed the student health fee if applicable according to the guidelines stated above. Students who carry the ISU sponsored insurance must also be assessed the student health fee. If spouse or domestic partner is covered under the insurance plan, the spouse (domestic partner) must also be covered under the Health Fee and Health Facility Fee.
Health Insurance: All international students and their accompanying dependents must enroll in the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program. ISU requires nonimmigrant international students and their dependents to purchase and maintain coverage through the ISU health insurance plan for the duration of their tenure at the university. Insurance plans purchased outside the university may be used for supplemental coverage, but cannot be substituted for the ISU plan. Students not assessed the mandatory Student Health Fee and spouses of students should contact the Student Health Insurance Office at 515-294-4820 for more information.
Identification Card (ISUCard) Replacement Fee: All students receive their first identification card free of charge. Those cardholders who have lost or misplaced their identification cards are assessed a $25 fee to cover the cost of replacement which includes the cost of materials, processing, and personnel associated with the replacement process.
International Student Orientation Fee: This $120 fee is charged to all new graduate, professional, and undergraduate degree-seeking students in a nonimmigrant status. This fee will support the international student orientation program as well as provide other transitional programs and activities unique to the international student population
Lakeside Lab: Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station of Iowa's state universities that provides summer classes and research opportunities for students. The mission of Lakeside Lab is twofold: 1) to provide science classes and research opportunities for university students and 2) to offer public programs and provide services through the state universities. Lakeside Lab offers students a unique educational experience through small full-immersion, field-oriented courses. This fee ($277 undergraduate; $452 graduate) helps to cover program costs. More information can be found at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory .
Late Payment of Fees or Charges: The finance charge is a penalty charged to discourage late payment of bills, as well as to make up for the university's lost opportunity for investment income. The up to 1% per month finance charge also helps defray the costs of extra IT costs, handling, and mailing involved with the record keeping and collection of charges over a longer period of time. This fee is assessed to students and non-students.
Late Registration: This fee is assessed to students who do not register for classes before the first day of class. This fee is an administrative charge to encourage students to register for classes in a timely manner so as to provide enrollment management data to administrative areas who can make decisions on how to best utilize university resources. The stepped up fee for graduate students is necessary because ISU provides tuition scholarships for students on assistantship appointments. Students who do not register by the end of the second week may create significant payroll, fee assessment, and scholarship problems that will take excess staff time to resolve.
Undergraduate Students - $20
Graduate Students, Day 1-5 - $30
Graduate Students, Day 6-10 - $60
Graduate Students, Day 11 onward - $100
New Student Programs/Matriculation Fees: The New Student Programs/Matriculation fee of $195 will be assessed to all new degree seeking undergraduates. The fee covers costs associated with orientation and Destination Iowa State programming, including math assessment, publications, mailings, programming, and student assistants who provide services to students and their families during orientation and Destination Iowa State. For those students entering in the fall semester, the New Student Programs/Matriculation fee is refundable prior to May 1 (minus a $25 administrative charge).
Administrative Fee: This $25 fee is the nonrefundable portion of the New Student Programs/Matriculation Fee,
and is assessed to defray administrative costs if the student chooses not to enroll prior to May 1 for fall and summer
semesters and November 1 for spring semester.
Reissue Check Fee/Returned Check/Debit Fee
Reissue Check Fee: This fee will be assessed to those individuals who request the issuance of a duplicate
check. This $30 charge helps defray the personnel time involved in researching the check, the cost of printing
a new check, as well as the bank costs.
Returned Check - This $30 fee is a surcharge against the maker of a dishonored check. According to Section
554.3512, subsection 1, Code 2003 of the State of Iowa, a fee of $30 may be assessed against the maker of
a dishonored payment instrument.
Debit Fee: This $30 fee is a surcharge against the person who authorizes a direct debit to an account that has
been closed or has insufficient funds. According to Section 554.3512, subsection 1, Code 2003 of the State of Iowa,
a fee of $30 may be assessed against the maker of a dishonored payment instrument.
Required Enrollment Fee - Graduate Students: Graduate students, who are in their graduation term and have no coursework left, are assessed a fee of $888. Students are charged this miscellaneous fee rather than tuition because there is no coursework involved. Graduate students on assistantship and international students, who must register and/or pay university fees to maintain their visa, are not eligible for this fee.
Schedule Change Fee (Drop/Add/Change - day six of classes and later): Students may drop or add a course through the fifth day of classes at no charge. On day six of classes and later, an administrative fee of $12 is charged for each form processed to partially cover the processing and personnel costs. This fee also encourages students to process course changes early in the term so other students may utilize course spaces.
Senior Fee (optional): This is a $3 optional fee for graduating seniors. The funds generated by the fee go to the Senior Class Council that sponsors a variety of activities for seniors. Events include the Senior Send-off, spring and fall commencement receptions, international graduation reception, graduation breakfast, senior week, and the solicitation of pledges for the senior class gift.
Special Course: Some courses have expenses above the cost of tuition that enhance the instruction. These fees may cover the cost of field trips, use of equipment, materials or supplies, or professional support. Applicable special course fees are listed with the specific course in the Schedule of Classes available at http://classes.iastate.edu/ . Special course fees also appear on each student's schedule detail available on AccessPlus.
Sponsored International Student Fee: The sponsored international student fee (5% of fees) is assessed to students participating in a group study abroad program. This fee is in addition to the program fee they must pay. It covers various administrative costs associated with these programs, such as registration and special processing, which creates additional workload.
Study Abroad Fees - Administrative Fee: This $105 fee is assessed to students participating in a group study abroad program. This fee is in addition to the program fee they must pay. It covers various administrative costs associated with these programs, such as registration and special processing, which creates additional workload.
Study Abroad Fees - Tuition: Assessment for study abroad credits up to a maximum of 12 credits is above and beyond tuition for other courses taken during the same term.
Study Abroad Fees - Program Fee – Fall Semester, Spring Semester and Summer Session: This study abroad program fee of $600 (fall and spring semesters) or $350 (summer session) will be used to partially finance the cost of administering university-wide study abroad programs. The fee will also be used for promotional efforts to increase campus awareness of these opportunities and to assist in the development of new programs. Finally, the fee will be used to assist in the cost of site visits and be of great value in the evaluation of programs and in advising Iowa State University students interested in these programs.
Summer Session: Tuition assessment is based on per credit as indicated in the fee schedule.
Technology: All students will be charged a technology fee each semester.
Full-time graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering (including Systems Engineering, Agricultural Systems Technology, and Industrial Technology) are charged $223 per semester.
Full-time graduate and undergraduate students majoring in Computer Science are charged $223 per semester.
Full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Business are charged $135 per semester, while full-time graduate students are charged $112 per semester.
All other full-time undergraduate students are charged the standard technology fee of $115 per semester. Full-time graduate students are charged a $92 per semester technology fee.
Students enrolled less than full-time are assessed prorated technology fees according to the number of credits for which they are enrolled.
High school students enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act; or students enrolled exclusively in courses for which no tuition is assessed are not assessed a technology fee.
For students who withdraw, technology fee adjustments will be made according to the tuition adjustment schedule. Adjustments for a reduction in credits below a full time load is 100 percent through the 10th day of classes, with no refunds after the 10th day of classes. Students who change their major will be charged the full technology fee for the major into which they transfer if the change occurs before the 10th day of classes. If the change occurs after the 10th day of classes, then no change in the technology fee assessment will occur.
Thesis Fee - Masters/Doctorate: This $145 nonrefundable fee is charged to any student who submits a master's degree thesis or doctoral dissertation to the Graduate College. This fee helps defray costs associated with providing part-time support for the thesis office, electronic thesis administration, and the salary of the thesis reviewer.
Transcript Fee:
First and Additional Copies - This $16 fee is charged to anyone ordering a transcript. The fee covers IT
costs, forms, mailing, and personnel costs.
Special Handling Charge (early transcript; partial transcript) - An additional $5 special handling charge will
be assessed for same day transcript service or other requests that require immediate or special handling.
Veterinary Medicine Advance Payment: Student applicants to the College of Veterinary Medicine who have accepted an offer for a position to enroll in that college may subsequently change their mind and withdraw, sometimes as late as the first day of classes. These late withdrawals can result in unfilled spaces, or the need to ask an alternate candidate to make a hasty move to Ames with little time to make arrangements for financial aid, housing, or books. To reduce the incidence of late withdrawals, admitted students are assessed a non-refundable payment toward tuition of $500.
Veterinary Medicine Mobile Computing Fee: This $2,550 fee is charged to all entering first year veterinary medicine students to support the college's mobile computing initiative. The fee covers tablet PC and required software. This initiative ensures that students 1) have the most effective and efficient learning experience possible and 2) enter the workforce prepared to use current technologies continuing education and professional practice.
Workshops: The fee for one-credit workshops, with no other course enrollments, is $277 for undergraduate students and $452 for graduate students.
Fee Payment
The Accounts Receivable Office bills students for tuition, room, meal plan, and various other university charges. A statement of new charges is available on the first of each month on Access Plus and each student will receive an email message at that time at their Iowa State e-mail address telling them that their bill is available. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the university has a correct e-mail address and to regularly check their Iowa State e-mail account. Students who do not receive a billing statement before the term begins or are unable to use AccessPlus to view their bill, should contact the Accounts Receivable Office to learn the amount of their account balance due. Failure to receive a billing statement or view their account on AccessPlus will not exempt students from late penalties or from having a hold placed on their registration. Payments for fall semester are due August 20. Payments for spring semester are due January 20. Payments for summer semester are due May 20.
Students may pay their university bill by direct debit through AccessPlus. They may also pay by mail by sending a check or money order (along with the bottom portion of the billing statement printed from AccessPlus) to Iowa State University, Treasurer's Office, 1220 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2044. Payments may also be made in person by taking the personal check or certified funds to the drop box that is located behind the Student Answer Center on the ground floor of Beardshear Hall.
Credit Type - Audits and zero credit courses: Assessed according to contact hours; maximum charge for zero credit courses is three credit hours.
Credit Type - Partial credits: (.5) assessed on the next larger whole number of credits, e.g., 6.5 credits is assessed as 7 credits.
Credit Type - R credit: Assessed for the minimum fee only if no other credits are taken.
Deferred Billing Plan (payment over three months): This $20 administrative charge (fall, spring, and summer) is assessed to those students who do not pay their full tuition, room and board charges on or before August 20 for fall semester, January 20 for spring semester, and May 20 for summer session. This permits students to spread payment over three installments. The administrative fee helps defray the extra IT and mailing costs involved in carrying and billing the charges over a longer period of time, as well as the extra personnel required in the Treasurer's Office to handle the traffic involved with three tuition payments per semester instead of one.
Employer Reimbursement Payment Option: Iowa State is proud to offer a deferment option which is beneficial to employees of companies that offer tuition reimbursement plans. With a completed benefit certification form you may defer all allowable charges to become due 30 days after grades are presented. The benefit certification form must be renewed each academic year, beginning with the summer semester. There is a $35 per semester fee for this deferment option.
For ISU Employees, you will need only complete the "Student" portion of the form. The Accounts Receivable Office will complete the "Employer" certification provided you have submitted the Employee Tuition Grant request through AccessPlus and have had it approved through the Human Resource Services Office.
For more information contact Jaye Anderson at (515) 294-9455 or jjander@iastate.edu .
Installment Payment Plan: This administrative charge is assessed to those who elect the Iowa State University Installment Plan. This plan will allow students to pay tuition, room, board, fees, and accounts receivable costs in twelve equal monthly installments. The $50 annual application fee will defray the extra IT and mailing costs associated with carrying the charges over a longer period of time, as well as the bank fees associated with the direct debit of payments.
Past Due Accounts: If students have past due accounts receivable charges prior to the beginning of classes, they may be dropped from enrollment if these past due charges are not paid by the Friday before the first day of class. Students that are subject to being dropped will be notified via their Iowa State e-mail account.
Refunds: Refunds are available for students who cancel or withdraw their registration within the appropriate time period. To cancel their registration, students must notify the Office of the Registrar before the first day of the semester to avoid tuition assessment. Beginning on the first day of the semester, it will be necessary for students to formally withdraw from the university to terminate their registration. More information about canceling registration and withdrawing from classes can be found at http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/registration/responsibilities.shtml.
Tuition adjustments for all students are made for withdrawals of registration according to the following schedule:
Withdrawal Date/Student Pays
Before first day of classes: 0%
During class days 1-5: 10%
During class days 6-10: 25%
During class days 11-15: 50%
During class days 16-20: 75%
After the twentieth day of classes: 100%
Students who wish to appeal tuition and fee assessment for withdrawals should contact the Scheduling & Fees area of the Office of the Registrar. Decisions of the Office of the Registrar will be based on the existence of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student.
Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Office of the Registrar must do so in writing within 10 calendar days after receiving the decision. Such appeals will then be reviewed by the Tuition Appeals Review Committee. Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Tuition Appeals Review Committee may make a request to do so in writing to the Office of the Provost.
Fee refund for students with a reduction in credits below full-time: 100 percent if change is made through the 10th day of classes. No adjustment is made after the 10th day of classes. Prorated adjustments in the tuition adjustment schedule are made for summer session courses, or any courses which are less than one semester in length (79 days).
Workshop and Short Courses Refunds: Students who drop workshops or short courses of one or two weeks on or before the first class meeting receive a 100% tuition adjustment for the course. No tuition adjustment will be made after the first day of classes. Students who drop three-week courses receive a 100% adjustment if they drop on or before the first day of classes, a 90% adjustment if they drop on the second day of classes, and no adjustment after the second day of classes.
Tuition Schedule Per Semester
In effect for Summer 2014. Subject to change without notice.
Undergraduate full time rates (12 or more credits)
| Category | Resident Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Resident | $3,324 |
| Undergraduate | Nonresident | $9,884 |
| Agricultural Systems Technology and Industrial Technology Juniors and Seniors | Resident | $4,407 |
| Agricultural Systems Technology and Industrial Technology Juniors and Seniors | Nonresident | $10,957 |
| Architecture | Resident | $3,924 |
| Architecture | Nonresident | $10,504 |
| Business Juniors and Seniors | Resident | $4,145 |
| Business Juniors and Seniors | Nonresident | $10,729 |
| Engineering Juniors and Seniors | Resident | $4,407 |
| Engineering Juniors and Seniors | Nonresident | $10,957 |
| Veterinary Medicine (12 or more credits) | Resident | $10,327 |
| Veterinary Medicine (12 or more credits) | Nonresident | $23,100 |
Graduate full time rates (9 or more credits)
| Category | Resident Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate | Resident | $4,065 |
| Graduate | Nonresident | $10,527 |
| Architecture Graduate | Nonresident | $4,686 |
| Architecture Graduate | Nonresident | $11,151 |
| Business Graduate | Resident | $4,935 |
| Business Graduate | Nonresident | $11,404 |
| Engineering Graduate | Resident | $4,686 |
| Engineering Graduate | Nonresident | $11,125 |
| Seed Technology Graduate | Resident | $4,935 |
| Seed Technology Graduate | Nonresident | $11,404 |
For students enrolled for less than a full course load and for the most current and complete information, see the Fee Schedule Per Credit list at http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/ .
Residency Classification for Admission and Tuition Purposes
These criteria are contained in the Policy Manual, Board of Regents, State of Iowa and or the Iowa Administrative Code: Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A. A person enrolling at one of the three state universities shall be classified as a resident or nonresident for admission, tuition, and fee purposes by the registrar or someone designated by the registrar. The decision shall be based upon information furnished by the student and other relevant information.
B. In determining resident or nonresident classification, the issue is essentially one of why the person is in the state of Iowa. If the person is in the state primarily for educational purposes, that person will be considered a nonresident. For example, it may be possible that an individual could qualify as a resident of Iowa for such purposes as voting, or holding an Iowa driver's license, and not meet the residency requirements as established by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, for admission, tuition, and fee purposes.
C. The registrar, or designated person, is authorized to require written documents, affidavits, verifications, or other evidence deemed necessary to determine why a student is in Iowa. The burden of establishing that a student is in Iowa for other than educational purposes is upon the student. A student may be required to file any or all of the following:
1. A statement from the student describing employment and expected source of support
2. A statement from the student's employer
3. A statement from the student's parents verifying nonsupport and the fact that the student was not listed as a dependent on tax returns for the past year and will not be so listed in future years
4. A statement from the student’s spouse related to sources of family support, length of residence in Iowa, and reasons for being in the state of Iowa
5. Supporting statements from persons who might be familiar with the family situation
6. Iowa state income tax return.
D. Applications for resident classification for a given semester or session are due no later than the fifteenth class day of that semester or session. Applications received after the fifteenth class day of that semester or session will be considered for the next semester or session. Appeals of any nonresident classification decision resulting from applications for resident classifications are due no later than midterm of that semester or session. Change of classification from nonresident to resident will not be made retroactive beyond the term in which application for resident classification is made.
E. A student who gives incorrect or misleading information to evade payment of nonresident fees shall be subject to serious disciplinary action and must also pay the nonresident fees for each term previously attended.
F. Review committee. These regulations shall be administered by the registrar or someone designated by the registrar. The decision of the registrar or designated person may be appealed to a university review committee. The finding of the review committee may be appealed to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Students with graduate assistantships of 1/4-time or more are assessed Iowa resident tuition and fees. Nonresident students with graduate assistantships of 1/4-time or more retain their nonresidency classification, but are assessed resident tuition and fees as long as the graduate assistantship is continued.
The spouse of a 1/4-time or more graduate assistant who is a nonresident is eligible for resident tuition and fees during the period of the assistantship appointment. Iowa residency is not granted, but a waiver of nonresident tuition and fees is in effect. When the graduate assistantship ends, the tuition and fee waiver for the spouse is terminated. (Board of Regents, State of Iowa, Minutes March 15, 1995, p. 801).
The graduate student must request the resident tuition assessment by midterm of the term in question. The benefit will not be granted retroactively.
GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are used in determining the resident classification of a student for admission, tuition, and fee purposes:
1. A financially dependent student whose parents move from Iowa after the student is enrolled remains a resident provided the student maintains continuous enrollment. A financially dependent student whose parents move from Iowa during the senior year of high school will be considered a resident provided the student has not established domicile in another state.
2. In deciding why a person is in the state of Iowa, the person's domicile will be considered. A person who comes to Iowa from another state and enrolls in any institution of postsecondary education for a full program or substantially a full program shall be presumed to have come to Iowa primarily for educational reasons rather than to establish a domicile in Iowa.
3. A student who was a former resident of Iowa may continue to be considered a resident provided absence from the state was for a period of less than 12 months and provided domicile is reestablished. If the absence from the state is for a period exceeding 12 months, a student may be considered a resident if evidence can be presented showing that the student has long-term ties to Iowa and reestablishes an Iowa domicile. A person or the dependent of a person whose domicile is permanently established in Iowa, who has been classified as a resident for admission, tuition, and fee purposes, may continue to be classified as a resident so long as domicile is maintained, even though circumstances may require extended absence of the person from the state. It is required that a person who claims Iowa domicile while living in another state or country will provide proof of the continual domicile as evidence that the person:
(1). Has not acquired domicile in another state;
(2). Has maintained a continuous voting record in Iowa; and
(3). Has filed regular Iowa resident income tax returns during absence from the state.
4. A student who moves to Iowa may be eligible for resident classification at the next registration following 12 consecutive months in the state provided the student is not enrolled as more than a half-time student (6 credits for an undergraduate or professional student, 5 credits for a graduate student) in any academic year term, is not enrolled for more than 4 credits in a summer term for any classification, and provides sufficient evidence of the establishment of an Iowa domicile.
5. A student who has been a continuous student and whose parents move to Iowa may become a resident at the beginning of the next term provided the student is dependent upon the parents for a majority of financial assistance.
6. A person who has been certified as a refugee or granted asylum by the appropriate agency of the United States, who enrolls as a student at a university governed by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, may be accorded immediate resident status for admission, tuition, and fee purposes where the person:
(1). Comes directly to the state of Iowa from a refugee facility or port of debarkation, or
(2). Comes to the state of Iowa within a reasonable time and has not established domicile in another state.
Any refugee or individual granted asylum not meeting these standards will be presumed to be a nonresident for admission, tuition, and fee purposes and thus subject to the usual method of proof of establishment of Iowa residency.
7. An alien who has immigrant status establishes Iowa residency in the same manner as a United States citizen.
8. At the Regent institutions, American Indians who have origins in any of the original people of North America and who maintain a cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition with one or more of the tribes or nations connected historically with the present state of Iowa, including the Iowa, Kickapoo, Menominee, Miami, Missouri, Ojibwa (Chippewa), Omaha, Otoe, Ottawa (Odawa), Potawatomi, Sac and Fox (Sauk, Meskwaki), Sioux, and Winnebago (Ho Chunk), will be assessed Iowa resident tuition and fees. (Board of Regents, State of Iowa, Minutes October 15-16, 1997, p. 299)
B. Additional guidelines are used in determining the resident classification of a veteran, qualified military person, and dependent children and spouses of a veteran or qualified military person for purposes of admission and undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees:
1. A person who is stationed on active duty at the Rock Island arsenal as a result of military orders, or the dependent child or spouse of such person, is entitled to resident status for purposes of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees. However, if the arrival of the person under orders is subsequent to the beginning of the term in which the dependent child or spouse is first enrolled, nonresident fees will be charged in all cases for the dependent child or spouse until the beginning of the next term in which the dependent child or spouse is enrolled. If the qualified military person is transferred, deployed, or restationed while the person’s spouse or dependent child is enrolled in an institution of higher education under the control of the board of regents, the spouse or dependent child shall continue to be classified as a resident under this subparagraph until the close of the fiscal year in which the spouse or dependent child is enrolled.
2. A veteran who is domiciled or moves to the state of Iowa and who is eligible for benefits, or has exhausted benefits under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, is entitled to resident status for purposes of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees. The dependent child or spouse of a veteran who meets these requirements is entitled to resident status for undergraduate tuition. However, if the arrival of the veteran in Iowa is subsequent to the beginning of the term in which the dependent child or spouse is first enrolled, nonresident fees will be charged in all cases for the dependent child or spouse until the beginning of the next term in which the dependent child or spouse is enrolled.
3. A person who is moved into the state as the result of military or civil orders from the government for other than educational purposes, or the dependent child or spouse of such a person, is entitled to resident status. However, if the arrival of the person under orders is subsequent to the beginning of the term in which the dependent child or spouse is first enrolled, nonresident fees will be charged in all cases until the beginning of the next term in which the dependent child or spouse is enrolled. Legislation, effective July 1, 1977, requires that military personnel who claim residency in Iowa (home of record) will be required to file Iowa resident income tax returns.
FACTS
A. The following circumstances, although not necessarily conclusive, have probative value in support of a claim for resident classification:
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Reside in Iowa for 12 consecutive months, and be primarily engaged in activities other than those of a full-time student, immediately prior to the beginning of the term for which resident classification is sought.
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Reliance upon Iowa resources for financial support.
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Domicile in Iowa of persons legally responsible for the student.
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Former domicile in the state and maintenance of significant connections therein while absent.
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Acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in Iowa.
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Military orders, if for other than educational purposes.
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Other facts indicating the student's domicile will be considered by the universities in classifying the student.
B. The following circumstances, standing alone, do not constitute sufficient evidence of domicile to affect classification of a student as a resident under these regulations:
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Voting or registration for voting.
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Employment in any position normally filled by a student.
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The lease of living quarters.
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Admission to a licensed practicing profession in Iowa.
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Automobile registration.
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Public records; for example, birth and marriage records, Iowa driver's license.
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Continuous presence in Iowa during periods when not enrolled in school.
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Ownership of property in Iowa, or the payment of Iowa taxes.
