IIEP Frequently Asked Questions - The University of Iowa

What Our Students Say Conditional Undergraduate Admission TOEFL Linguistics/ TESL at Iowa Photo Gallery	Frequently Asked Questions Housing Q: How can I arrange for a home stay? A: There is no home stay program at The University of Iowa. Q: How can I find housing? A: If you want to live in a dormitory on campus or a University apartment, contact the Housing Office. You can also request an application for University housing when you fill out your IIEP application. If you prefer to live in an off-campus apartment, we recommend that you wait until you arrive in Iowa City to find one. It is possible to find apartments online, but you can't be sure of the quality if you can't see them in person. You can stay at the Iowa House hotel for a few days after you arrive until you can find your own apartment. Click here to make a reservation. Finances Q: Can I use a credit card to pay my tuition? A: Neither the IIEP nor The University of Iowa accepts credit cards. Payment may be made with cash, check, or money order. Q: How can I obtain financial aid? A: The University of Iowa does not provide financial aid for international students. Q: Can I work while I am a student? A: Students with F-1 visas are allowed to work part-time on campus only. A list of jobs for students can be found on the Student Employment web site. Coursework Q: I would like to study in the IIEP during my break from school. Do you have any short-term programs? A: No, the IIEP does not offer short-term programs for individual students. Our programs run for a full semester in spring and fall, and for the shorter 8-week semester in summer. (We only offer short-term group programs to universities with whom we have a contract.) Q: What classes does the IIEP offer? A: The Iowa Intensive English program comprises four courses: reading, writing, grammar and communication skills. The classes meet every weekday for a total of 20 hours per week. Q: How long does the program last? A: The fall and spring semesters last for 16 weeks each. The summer session lasts 8 weeks. You may stay in the program for as long as you like. If you are in the advanced level when you begin, you may reach the competency level you require in only one semester. If you start in the beginning level, it may take you a full year to reach the level of English proficiency you desire. Admission To The IIEP AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA Q: Can I attend the University of Iowa after I'm done in the IIEP? A: Yes, if you meet the University's requirements for admission. IIEP admission does not constitute admission to The University of Iowa; to apply to the University, you will have to submit a separate application and additional materials (such as high school or university transcripts and proof of English proficienty). See the Admissions website at http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions or e-mail admissions@uiowa.edu for more information. Many IIEP students go on to study at the UI! Q: Does The University of Iowa offer conditional admission? A: Undergraduates may be granted conditional admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. (The University does not offer conditional admission to graduate programs.) Click here for a detailed explanation of the requirements for conditional admission. You may also contact The Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information. Q: How can I find out about graduate programs at the University? A: Visit the Graduate College's web site and find the academic department you are interested in. You may correspond directly with the department or contact International Admissions to request information about a graduate program. Q: Do I have to submit a TOEFL score to be admitted to the IIEP? A: No TOEFL score is required for admittance to the IIEP. Q: How long does it take to get an I-20? A: The IIEP will issue your I-20 as soon as we receive all the required materials (application, financial statement, fees). When we receive a complete application, we usually send the I-20 the same day. The express mailing fee allows us to send I-20s via Airborne Express. It usually takes about a week from the day we send it for international students to receive it. Health Q: Will I be required to have health insurance? A: Health insurance is required for all international students at The University of Iowa. You may purchase insurance in your own country, but you must bring proof that you have the required amount ($75,000 in accidental coverage and $75,000 in medical coverage). If you do not, you will automatically be charged for student insurance on your University bill ($90 per month). Students are strongly encouraged to purchase University of Iowa Student Health Insurance (SHIP) because it covers most of the services necessary for international students.

Q: How can I arrange for a home stay?
A: There is no home stay program at The University of Iowa.

Q: How can I find housing?
A: If you want to live in a dormitory on campus or a University apartment, contact the Housing Office. You can also request an application for University housing when you fill out your IIEP application.

If you prefer to live in an off-campus apartment, we recommend that you wait until you arrive in Iowa City to find one. It is possible to find apartments online, but you can't be sure of the quality if you can't see them in person. You can stay at the Iowa House hotel for a few days after you arrive until you can find your own apartment. Click here to make a reservation.

Finances

Q: Can I use a credit card to pay my tuition?
A: Neither the IIEP nor The University of Iowa accepts credit cards. Payment may be made with cash, check, or money order.

Q: How can I obtain financial aid?
A: The University of Iowa does not provide financial aid for international students.

Q: Can I work while I am a student?
A: Students with F-1 visas are allowed to work part-time on campus only. A list of jobs for students can be found on the Student Employment web site.

Coursework

Q: I would like to study in the IIEP during my break from school. Do you have any short-term programs?
A: No, the IIEP does not offer short-term programs for individual students. Our programs run for a full semester in spring and fall, and for the shorter 8-week semester in summer. (We only offer short-term group programs to universities with whom we have a contract.)

Q: What classes does the IIEP offer?
A: The Iowa Intensive English program comprises four courses: reading, writing, grammar and communication skills. The classes meet every weekday for a total of 20 hours per week.

Q: How long does the program last?
A: The fall and spring semesters last for 16 weeks each. The summer session lasts 8 weeks. You may stay in the program for as long as you like. If you are in the advanced level when you begin, you may reach the competency level you require in only one semester. If you start in the beginning level, it may take you a full year to reach the level of English proficiency you desire.

Admission To The IIEP AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

Q: Can I attend the University of Iowa after I'm done in the IIEP?
A: Yes, if you meet the University's requirements for admission. IIEP admission does not constitute admission to The University of Iowa; to apply to the University, you will have to submit a separate application and additional materials (such as high school or university transcripts and proof of English proficienty). See the Admissions website at http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions or e-mail admissions@uiowa.edu for more information. Many IIEP students go on to study at the UI!

Q: Does The University of Iowa offer conditional admission?
A: Undergraduates may be granted conditional admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. (The University does not offer conditional admission to graduate programs.) Click here for a detailed explanation of the requirements for conditional admission. You may also contact The Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Q: How can I find out about graduate programs at the University?
A: Visit the Graduate College's web site and find the academic department you are interested in. You may correspond directly with the department or contact International Admissions to request information about a graduate program.

Q: Do I have to submit a TOEFL score to be admitted to the IIEP?
A: No TOEFL score is required for admittance to the IIEP.

Q: How long does it take to get an I-20?
A: The IIEP will issue your I-20 as soon as we receive all the required materials (application, financial statement, fees). When we receive a complete application, we usually send the I-20 the same day. The express mailing fee allows us to send I-20s via Airborne Express. It usually takes about a week from the day we send it for international students to receive it.

Health

Q: Will I be required to have health insurance?
A: Health insurance is required for all international students at The University of Iowa. You may purchase insurance in your own country, but you must bring proof that you have the required amount ($75,000 in accidental coverage and $75,000 in medical coverage). If you do not, you will automatically be charged for student insurance on your University bill ($90 per month). Students are strongly encouraged to purchase University of Iowa Student Health Insurance (SHIP) because it covers most of the services necessary for international students.