Graduate Diversity Scholarships are presented to graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a preference for underrepresented minorities (Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander), first generation students, students with disabilities (who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended), and women in science, engineering, and mathematics fields (including computer science, economics, engineering, math and applied math, and physics).
Students must have completed at least one full semester of graduate study at the University of Iowa to be eligible. This initiative continues to aid in building and sustaining an inclusive graduate community at the University of Iowa and is essential to enhancing the quality of the intellectual environment for all of our students and faculty. We strongly encourage students to seek graduate assistantships and to apply for other graduate fellowship mechanisms that come with more financial support and longer commitments of support.
Priority will be given to UI students with little or no previous funding from the Graduate College and a lack of available funding from the student’s department. As with all Graduate College scholarships and fellowships, the Graduate College considers academic performance and progress, student plans for how to maximize the tuition support, and letters of recommendation. Graduate Diversity Scholarships can impact financial aid packages. Please consult the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Graduate Diversity Scholarships are intended for students who need tuition assistance only. These scholarships are best suited for students with employment they wish to maintain, either inside or outside the university, which does not provide tuition support or scholarships.
Graduate Diversity Scholarship awards may be used for tuition only. Scholarships are based on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences resident rates. (Students registered in the College of Education receive resident tuition adjusted according to COE guidelines). This scholarship will cover tuition plus 50% of mandatory fees. Students are responsible for the remaining mandatory fees and any course fees.
To be eligible:
- All scholars must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Students must have completed at least one full semester of graduate study at the University of Iowa. If students are in their first semester, they are not eligible to apply.
- Doctoral students must be within five years of entry into their graduate programs.
- Master’s students must be within two years of entry (three years if master's program is three years).
- Tuition scholarship support shall not exceed two semesters total from the Graduate Diversity Scholarship Program.
- Students must be currently enrolled and enrolled in the semester/summer they are awarded the scholarship.
- Students are ineligible if they are appointed to a 25% or greater research or teaching assistantship.
Students must submit their part of the application materials to their department at least two weeks prior to the Graduate College deadline. Students should check with their department as soon as possible for departmental deadlines as well as inform them they intend to apply. Applications submitted by the student (and not someone in the department such as the DGS, DEO or grad coordinator) will be voided and not considered.
Student materials (single spaced, 12 pt. type, 1" margins):
- A brief paragraph highlighting accomplishments since undertaking graduate study at the University of Iowa (maximum 250 words)
- Description of planned activities and goals for the term applying for the scholarship (maximum 300 words)
- Transcript (unofficial acceptable)
- A one-page CV of educational and professional experience, honors and awards, and publications.
Letter of support
- One letter from the student’s advisor:
- Indicating the department does not have a graduate assistantship to support the student and that the student is making good academic progress.
Applications should be submitted online (link is external).
Applications for Fall 2023 Diversity Scholarships will be accepted from January 23, 2023, until February 9, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Please direct any questions to Graduate Administrative Affairs Coordinator Katie Bottorff (467-4307) or Associate Dean Shelly Campo (335-2136) or via email at grad-fellowships@uiowa.edu.