Financial Support for Graduate Students
UI College of Public Health students offset their educational costs in a number of different ways, including scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants, loans, and part-time jobs.
Departmental Support
Financial assistance in the form of fellowships, scholarships, traineeships, and research assistantships varies by department and degree program in the College of Public Health. Prospective students should consult with a representative for the degree program they are applying to for more information about financial aid.
Graduate Assistantships
Many College of Public Health students hold a graduate research assistantship (RA) or teaching assistantship (TA). In some departments, applicants will be offered assistantships at the same time they are admitted to the program. Usually, however, students are first admitted to a program, then they can search for an RA or TA position the same way they would go about searching for any job. Students may work as an RA or TA in any department in The University of Iowa.
The UI Graduate College does post some open positions on their web site. However, this is not an exhaustive list. Check with your department or program for advice about the best way to search for open assistantships with their faculty.
If a student has a half-time (50%) graduate research assistantship, the workload is 20 hours a week. In exchange, the student receives a stipend of about $20,000 per year, and a tuition scholarship of about $5,000 per year. Students with graduate research or teaching assistantships of at least 10 hours a week (also called quarter-time or 25% assistantships) qualify for resident tuition (also called in-state tuition) during the semesters they hold the position. Your assistantship also comes with excellent health insurance coverage for which you only pay 10% of the premium (around $22.00/month for a single student).
Fellowships and Funding from the UI Graduate College
Incoming students may be nominated for Graduate College Fellowships, such as the Presidential Graduate Fellowship and the Dean's Graduate Fellowship.
Other awards and funding opportunities made through the Graduate College are described at their web site.
Federal Loans
Many students also use federal student loans to support themselves during their studies. To be eligible for federal loans, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and you must apply through the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid.
To determine your eligibility for aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid, you must provide information about your financial situation by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply as soon as possible after January 1. See How to Apply for complete instructions.
For detailed information about loans, grants, scholarships, or part-time student employment, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web site (www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/) or contact the Director of Student Financial Aid, The University of Iowa, 208 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1315; telephone (319) 335-1450.