Admission and Registration
Do I have to apply for admission to ISU to register for an off-campus course?
No, your registration form also serves as your application for admission as a nondegree student. Current and former ISU students must be in good academic standing to enroll.

Are admission requirements for off-campus students the same as for on-campus students?
Admission requirements are the same regardless of the format or location of the courses.

If I have been out of high school a long time and do not meet the high school entry requirements, can I be admitted?
If you graduated from high school before spring 1990 or have earned at least 24 semester credits (36 quarter credits) of graded transferable college study, you are not held to specific high school course requirements when applying for undergraduate admission. Apply for admission with the assurance that the admissions office will give your application careful and individual consideration.

English is not my first language. How does that affect my application?
You need to meet the university's minimum English proficiency requirements before taking classes. Submit proof of one of the following to the admissions office:
ACT English score of 16 or higher
SAT verbal score of 420 or higher
TOEFL score of 500 (530 for engineering programs)
A bachelor's or master's degree statement from a university in the US or a country in which English is the only official language.

Are Continuing Education courses the same as courses on campus?
Yes. The academic credit earned will be recorded on your official transcript and the grades will become part of your university grade point average the same way as credit earned on campus.

Degree programs and certifications
Can I get a degree without coming to the Ames campus?
Yes, there are various degrees you can earn from ISU by taking courses in the evenings and/or weekends, by videotape, over the Iowa Communications Network, and via the World Wide Web. Some degree programs are offered only in specific areas of the state while others are offered nationwide. For specific information, check degree and certificate programs.

What degree-completion programs do you offer?
A very flexible program, the Bachelor of Liberal Studies.

Whom can I talk to for information on specific degree programs?
Each off-campus degree and certificate program has a contact person listed.
For other programs, Iowa State has designated contacts who are well informed about programs and majors. You may contact an adviser directly.
www.lifelearner.iastate.edu/learners/advising.htm

Where do I find information about teaching licenses in Iowa?
Visit the Iowa State College of Education teacher education courses and programs World Wide Web site.
Also check the Iowa Department of Education teaching education site.

Costs/Financial Aid/Scholarships
Is financial assistance available for off-campus students?
You may be eligible for financial aid depending on your course load and financial situation. Contact the financial aid office at (800) 478-2998 or sfainfo@iastate.edu.

Are scholarships available for part-time students? How do I apply for them?
Yes. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid Web site.

How much does it cost to take a course?
Undergraduate tuition is $223/credit. Graduate tuition is $347/credit. Tuition is billed at the resident (in state) rate, however, non-resident students who enroll in a combination of on- and off-campus courses are assessed the non-resident tuition for all credits. Some courses charge additional fees which are noted with the course description. Details on delivery fees.

How do I drop a course and will I get a refund if I do?
It pays to be timely because refunds are based on the date you drop the course. Contact the Office of the Registrar at (515) 294-1889 or isuregis@iastate.edu. The staff will tell you what your refund will be.