Tuition And Fees
Tuition and mandatory fees are assessed based on the program of study, residency status, classification, and the number of enrolled credits on the tenth day of the academic term.
- Undergraduate and Veterinary Medicine students are charged tuition up to a maximum rate of 12 credits.
- Graduate students are charged tuition up to a maximum rate of 9 credits.
In addition to tuition and mandatory fees, students may also be assessed the following:
- Common Fees – Standard fees assessed across all Iowa Regent Institutions.
- University and Program-Specific Fees – Fees unique to Iowa State University or specific academic programs.
Nonresident students are subject to a higher tuition rate each semester. Nondegree students are assessed the same tuition and fees as degree-seeking students.
Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with regulations established by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. Additional details regarding these regulations are available in the university catalog under Admissions and Registrar.
All tuition, fees, expenses, and policies are subject to change without notice by Iowa State University and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. For the most current and complete information see http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding tuition and fee assessments, please contact the Tuition and Fees area within the Office of the Registrar at (515) 294-1840 or email tuition@iastate.edu.
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. For additional information regarding the administrative code addressing residency classification: Section 681--1.4 "Classification of residents and nonresidents for admission, tuition, and fee purposes" https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/aco/chapter/681.1.pdf (Chapter 1, pg. 4).
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
Graduate students appointed to a graduate assistantship appointment of 1/4-time or more for at least 3 months in fall and spring terms and for 4 weeks in summer term, are assessed tuition at the full-time resident (in-state) rate for the fall and spring term. Nonresident students with graduate assistantships of 1/4-time or more retain their non-residency 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 (Otto), Ottawa (Odawa), Potawatomi, Sac and Fox (Sauk, Meskwaki), Sioux, and Winnebago (HoCak/Ho-Chunk), will be assessed Iowa resident tuition and fees. (Board of Regents, State of Iowa, Minutes October 15-16, 1997, p. 299)
**Section B below is under revision. For current information, go to https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/aco/chapter/681.1.pdf.
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:
- 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.
- Reliance upon Iowa resources for financial support.
- Domicile in Iowa of persons legally responsible for the student.
- Former domicile in the state and maintenance of significant connections therein while absent.
- Acceptance of an offer of permanent employment in Iowa.
- Military orders, if for other than educational purposes.
- 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:
- Voting or registration for voting.
- Employment in any position normally filled by a student.
- The lease of living quarters.
- Admission to a licensed practicing profession in Iowa.
- Automobile registration.
- Public records; for example, birth and marriage records, Iowa driver's license.
- Continuous presence in Iowa during periods when not enrolled in school.
- Ownership of property in Iowa, or the payment of Iowa taxes.
Contact Information:
For questions or assistance regarding residency classification, please contact the Iowa Residency team within the Office of the Registrar at (515) 294-1840 or email iowaresidency@iastate.edu.
Billing & Fee Payment
The Accounts Receivable Office bills students for tuition, housing, meal plans, and other university-related charges. A monthly U-Bill statement—reflecting charges, adjustments, payments, and refunds—is available on the first day of each month via the Workday Financials Hub. Students will receive an email notification when their U-Bill is available.
Students are responsible for ensuring their contact information is current and that the university has a valid email address on file. They are expected to regularly check their Iowa State University email account. Failure to receive a billing statement or access the U-Bill in Workday does not exempt students from late fees or registration holds.
Students who do not receive a billing statement before the start of the term or are unable to access Workday should contact the Accounts Receivable Office to determine their account balance and payment due date.
Semester Payment Deadlines
- Fall Semester: Payment due by August 20
- Spring Semester: Payment due by January 20
- Summer Semester: Payment due by May 20
If you pay the full account balance listed on the U-Bill by the 20th of the month, there will be no additional fees. There is always the chance of other charges being added, but paying in full will avoid any late fees.
Payment Methods
- Online Payment
Payments may be made online via the Workday Student Financials Hub. - Mail Payment
Send a check or money order along with the printed remittance portion of the billing statement to:
Treasurer's Office
1220 Beardshear Hall
515 Morrill Road
Ames, IA 50011-2103
- In-Person Payment
Drop off a personal check or certified funds at the payment drop box located on the ground floor of Beardshear Hall.
Deferred Billing Payment Plan
Students may choose to pay their U-Bill in three monthly installments per semester. A $20 deferred billing fee is assessed each semester (fall, spring, summer) the plan is used. Enrollment is available through Workday.
Employer Reimbursement Deferment Plan
Students whose employers provide tuition reimbursement programs may enroll in the Employer Reimbursement Deferment option via Workday by submitting the Employer Reimbursement Deferment Plan Agreement form. Enrollment in this plan is $35 per semester, which is non-deferrable and is assessed at the beginning of each enrolled semester. Students will be responsible for payment of any non-deferred charges on their U-Bill in accordance with statement due dates.
Tuition Reimbursement Program - for Iowa State employees
Iowa State University offers a Tuition Reimbursement Program for Iowa State employees. This program is administered by University Human Resources (UHR). Please contact UHR directly with questions about program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
Past Due Accounts
If a student does not make their minimum payment by the due date on the statement, they may be assessed a finance charge on the past due balance, have a hold placed on their account, and the entire balance will be due immediately. Past due balances may have finance charges assessed and a registration hold placed on the account. If registered, students may be dropped from enrollment if past-due charges are not paid by the Friday before the first day of class. Notification will be sent via the student’s Iowa State email.
Veterans and Eligible Dependents Receiving Educational Assistance
In accordance with the requirements of the Servicemembers Improved Transition through Reforms for Ensuring Progress Act (SIT-REP Act, December 31, 2018), the University will not impose any late fee, deny access to classes or facilities, or assess any other penalty to a Veteran or eligible dependent due to a late payment from the Veterans Administration (VA).
This policy is only applicable to Veterans or eligible dependents who are receiving educational assistance under Chapters 31 (VR&E) or 33 (Post 9/11 and Fry Scholarship) of title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). In accordance with the SIT-REP Act, students receiving VA educational benefits from Chapter 31 or 33 must provide a certification of eligibility for entitlement of educational assistance to the Office of the Registrar. Nothing in this policy precludes the University from assessing a late fee, denial of access, or any other penalty in relation to payments due to the University that are not covered under the SIT-REP Act.
For purposes of this policy, the following terms will be defined as:
- Late Fee: A financial penalty, equal to approximately 1% of the outstanding balance, charged to discourage late payment of the U-Bill.
- Denial of Access: To prohibit entry, participation, or attendance to an event or facility otherwise afforded to all registered students.
- Any Other Penalty: Any other fee/cost, prohibition, or assessment levied upon a student for failure to pay required tuition, fees, and any other billed charges.
Contact Information:
For questions or assistance regarding Ubill, payments, or deferred billing, please contact the Accounts Receivable Office at (515) 294-7388 or email ubill@iastate.edu.
Related Resources:
Tuition Adjustments
Students may be eligible for tuition and fee adjustments when dropping or withdrawing from full or half-semester courses, provided the changes occur within the university’s published deadlines. Adjustments are calculated based on the timing of the drop or withdrawal and are prorated according to the university’s tuition adjustment schedule.
To avoid tuition charges, students must cancel their registration prior to the first day of the semester. Once the semester begins, students must submit a formal Leave of Absence to discontinue enrollment.
Tuition adjustments also apply to summer sessions and courses shorter than a full semester (79 days or fewer). These are prorated according to course length. For details regarding tuition adjustment deadlines for non-standard course dates, students should email tuition@iastate.edu.
Tuition Appeal
Students who wish to appeal tuition and fee assessments related to a leave of absence must submit a tuition appeal within two years of the term being appealed. Appeals must demonstrate extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control.
If a student disagrees with the outcome of an appeal, a written request for further review may be submitted within 10 calendar days to the Tuition Appeals Review Committee. Additional appeals may be directed in writing to the Office of the Provost.
Contact Information:
For questions or assistance regarding tuition and fee assessment, tuition adjustments, or tuition appeals, please contact the Tuition and Fees area within the Office of the Registrar at (515) 294-1840 or email tuition@iastate.edu.
Related resources: