Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Ames, IA
How students pay for Iowa State University
Sticker price $24,539 a year. After grants, the average student pays $18,517, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $11,957 to $22,905.
- 89%admitted
- 25,367undergraduates
- 77%graduate
- 75%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $30,140 a year versus $11,092 for Iowa residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
75%grant from Iowa State Universityavg $9,582
18%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,176
1%state grantavg $4,197
46%federal student loanavg $5,237
Scholarships from Iowa State University
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Recognition Awards for Iowa Students (Loyal, Forever and True Scholar)$1,500 to $3,000 a year for 4 years
Admitted Iowa-resident first-year students: Loyal Scholar 3.80 GPA + 32 ACT/1450 SAT, Forever Scholar 3.60 + 28/1300, True Scholar 4.00 GPA with no test score.
- Academic Achievement Award (out-of-state students)Up to $12,000 a year for 4 years (Illinois students; amounts are set by home state)
Admitted out-of-state first-year students, tiered by cumulative high school GPA from 3.10.
- Expedition Award (out-of-state students)$2,000 a year for 4 years (as listed for Illinois students)
Admitted out-of-state first-year students with a 3.00+ GPA, combined with the Academic Achievement Award.
- Generations Award$1,500 a year for 4 years
Out-of-state first-year students who are the child, grandchild or great-grandchild of an Iowa State graduate.
- Iowa Resident National Merit Full Tuition ScholarshipFull tuition for four years
Iowa residents named National Merit Scholars who list Iowa State as their first-choice college and file the FAFSA.
- First Cyclones ScholarshipFull tuition ($8,678 a year in-state or $25,162 out-of-state at 2026 rates), renewable for 8 semesters
U.S. citizen or permanent resident first-year students with a 3.0+ GPA who are first-generation and/or low-income; up to 100 awards.
- George Washington Carver Scholastic Leadership Scholarship
First-year U.S. citizen students, resident or nonresident, who reflect George Washington Carver's legacy.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Iowa
Iowa Tuition Grant
Up to $7,500 a year in 2026–27, and no more than your calculated need. The 2027–28 amount is not yet set.
Who qualifies: Iowa residents in an associate or bachelor's program at an eligible Iowa private college, with a Student Aid Index from -1,500 to 16,000 (2026–27).
How: File the FAFSA. Deadline: 1 July 2027 for the 2027–28 school year.
Official rules →State grant · Iowa
Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship
Pays the tuition and qualified fees left after federal and state grants, up to Iowa community college tuition.
Who qualifies: Iowa residents with a Student Aid Index of 30,000 or less who recently finished high school or are 20 or older, enrolled at least part-time in a state-listed high-demand program at an Iowa community college or eligible private college.
How: File the FAFSA and apply for all other state and federal grants. Deadline: 30 June 2027 for the 2026–27 school year.
Official rules →State grant · Iowa
Kibbie Grant (Iowa Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant)
Up to $3,100 in 2026–27.
Who qualifies: Iowa residents at an Iowa community college taking at least 3 credit hours in a program of 15 weeks or more, with a Student Aid Index from -1,500 to 6,000 (2026–27).
How: File the FAFSA by 1 July before the school year starts.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Ames
| Studio | $890/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $940/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $530/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 50011. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Iowa
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 6 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25, the same as the federal rate. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$21,250median federal debt≈ $242/month over 10 years
$67,568median earnings10 years after enrolling
77%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for Iowa State University
What scholarships does Iowa State University offer?
Recognition Awards for Iowa Students (Loyal, Forever and True Scholar) ($1,500 to $3,000 a year for 4 years); Academic Achievement Award (out-of-state students) (Up to $12,000 a year for 4 years (Illinois students; amounts are set by home state)); Expedition Award (out-of-state students) ($2,000 a year for 4 years (as listed for Illinois students)); Generations Award ($1,500 a year for 4 years); Iowa Resident National Merit Full Tuition Scholarship (Full tuition for four years). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does Iowa State University really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $18,517 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $11,957 to $22,905. The full cost of attendance before aid is $24,539.
Does Iowa State University give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 75% of first-year students received a grant from Iowa State University itself, averaging $9,582. 18% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,176).
How much is rent near Iowa State University?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (50011) is $940 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,060 for a two-bedroom, about $530 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at Iowa State University?
Yes. The minimum wage in Iowa is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do Iowa State University graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $21,250, about $242 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $67,568.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with Iowa State University. How these pages work.
More in Iowa: All colleges in Iowa →