Information for Prospective Students

Financial Assistance

Three-Year Fellowship in Pharmacoepidemiology Now Available!

The Department of Epidemiology at The University of Iowa has limited financial aid available for students in its programs.

Most of the support for students in the department comes from research assistantships that are funded by federal agencies, particularly the National Institutes of Health. The competition for these grants and contracts is very great, and continued support depends on the success of our faculty in obtaining such funds and on the state of the national economy.

The Department of Epidemiology seldom is able to make financial offers to incoming students since it often takes at least one academic year to acquire the necessary skills to complete the research tasks required by research grants. In addition, some time is often necessary before the proper matching of a student's interests and abilities and a research project's needs is achieved. Graduate student research assistantships arise throughout the year and are filled from the pool of interested students who are already on campus. A number of our students, particularly those in the research degree programs (M.S. and Ph.D.) successfully obtain research assistantships by the second year of their studies. A 25% or greater appointment as a graduate research assistant provides a student with a stipend, reduction of tuition to in-state rates in addition to a partial tuition scholarship, and a contribution toward a health insurance policy.

Through variable annual allocations, some funds are made available each year for tuition scholarships. The department is often able to provide tuition scholarships of a few hundred dollars each year to students who are progressing well in the program.

Financial assistance to students from general University of Iowa sources is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid. For detailed information about loans, grants, scholarships, or part-time student employment, visit The Office of Student Financial Aid website—or contact the Director of Student Financial Aid, The University of Iowa, 208 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1315; telephone (319) 335-1450.

International students need to be aware that, upon admission to the program, they must provide verification of sufficient resources to sustain themselves for one academic year. For the 2007-2008 academic year, our Office of International Admissions has determined the minimum amount required to support one person for one academic year is approximately $33,700. International students also need to be aware that most visas allow them to work only on campus, which limits opportunities for employment.

Graduate Student Assistantship Application Form (pdf)

University of Iowa Financial Aid