AWARDING PROCESS 
How a Student's Financial Need Is Determined
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To determine your financial need, your expected family contribution is subtracted from the cost of attendance.
Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need
How Your Estimated Cost of Attendance is Determined The Office of Student Financial Aid establishes a standard cost of attendance for students. The information in the Determining Factors section of your Award Notification is used as a basis for determining your estimated cost of attendance. The Estimated Cost of Attendance figures reflect modest but adequate expenses for University of Iowa students and are based on research conducted by the Office of Student Financial Aid. While actual expenses of individual students will vary based on personal lifestyle choices, the estimated cost should assist you in planning your own budget. If you are residing in the residence halls, the amount listed for room and board is based on a weighted average of all room contracts with full board. Although your actual residence hall contract may be different, the Office of Student Financial Aid uses the same estimated cost for determining the cost of attendance for all students living on campus. The University Billing Office will bill you for tuition and fee and residence hall room and board contracts. Other expenses include books and supplies, off-campus room and board, personal, and transportation costs. These are included in the cost of attendance, but are not billed to you. Personal expenses include, but are not limited to, items such as clothing, laundry, and entertainment. These are the most variable expenses since they reflect personal spending habits. These other expenses are included in the cost of attendance but are not billed to you. The University Billing Office is responsible for generating your University bill (U-bill) each month. The bill, available to you electronically on ISIS, will include contract charges consisting of tuition, mandatory fees, and residence hall (room and board). All other charges that may be billed to you on your U-bill are referred to as miscellaneous charges, which may consist of items charged at the Iowa Memorial Union bookstore, library fines, parking fines, etc.
How Your Student/Parent Contribution and Financial Need Are Determined The contribution is the amount that you and, if you are a dependent student, your parents can theoretically contribute to your education. This contribution is not an amount for which you will be billed by the University. This contribution is not determined by The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid but is based on the U. S. Department of Education's Federal Methodology calculation using the information that you supplied on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your Financial Need is determined by subtracting your Student/Parent Contribution from your Estimated Cost of Attendance. Depending on your Financial Need, you may be eligible for some aid programs and not for others. If you are a dependent student and request the PLUS loan, the amount of the PLUS loan could be more than the parental contribution because the PLUS loan can replace the student and parent contribution and remaining need after other aid has been awarded.
How Residency Status is Determined The Registrar’s Office decides whether a student will pay in-state or out-of-state tuition by determining why the student is in the state of Iowa. If you are a nonresident student and in the state primarily for educational purposes, you will be considered a nonresident. The University of Iowa does not have any reciprocity agreements for tuition adjustments with any other states. Go to the Registrar's Office web site for additional information on residency status. Specific questions regarding residency status should be directed to the Registrar’s Office, 1 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242, (319) 335-0238.