Information for Prospective Students

We have made updates to our COVID-19 safety protocols and operations.

Physical Distancing: All departments and units should begin to transition to normal occupancy in common areas (e.g., offices, break rooms, conference rooms, classrooms, etc.). At this time, current Plexiglas dividers and hand sanitizers will remain in place.

Face Coverings: Masks are strongly encouraged. This guideline does not apply to the Student Health Center or other healthcare operations or research laboratories where a formal Environmental Health & Safety hazard assessment has determined face coverings to be necessary.

Vaccines: Our ability to loosen these restrictions are a powerful reminder of the benefits of getting vaccinated, and we continue to encourage everyone to be vaccinated as soon as they are able.

*FAQs will be updated soon to reflect these new safety protocols.

Prospective Student FAQs

Campus Visits

Are daily campus tours being offered for students and their families?

Daily campus visits are being offered. For more information or to register for a visit, see the Admissions visit webpage. Virtual visits and appointments will continue to be available for students who prefer to experience UNI from the comfort of their own home. We ask that any visitors to campus review our safety guidelines.

What safety measures have been put in place to keep visitors safe while on campus?

Here is a list of the safety measures and visitor guidelines in place at UNI.

Admission Requirements

Will UNI be requiring ACT or SAT scores for admissions applications?

Due to the many standardized testing issues caused by the COVID pandemic, the University of Northern Iowa will offer test-optional admissions for Fall 2021 applicants. The Iowa Board of Regents has issued a temporary, one-year waiver to the ACT/SAT testing requirement due to the ongoing pandemic concerns.

Students applying for Fall 2021 now have two options:

Students who self-report their test scores when they apply will be admitted as normal based upon the Regent Admission Index (RAI) score.
Students not submitting a test score (test-optional) will be reviewed using holistic review. The review will include factors such as your high school GPA and core course selection.

Scholarships

Are scholarships being offered without ACT or SAT scores?

For Fall 2021 only, admissions-based scholarships may be awarded to some students prior to UNI receiving the student’s ACT/SAT scores. This allows for maximum flexibility for students who may face limited opportunities to take the ACT or SAT.

Students with no ACT score and a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher will be awarded, at minimum, a scholarship of $4,000 ($1,000 per year).

Financing

Covid-19 has impacted my family’s income. I am ready to commit, but do not have the $320 for the acceptance fee. Is there assistance?

If you are dealing with financial hardships or uncertainty, complete and submit the acceptance fee deferral form and check the "other" section. With completion of this form, you will be able to accept your offer of admission, sign up for orientation and complete your housing application without paying the acceptance fee up front.

Academics

How will UNI handle pass/fail or credit/no credit grades from my high school?

UNI will accept spring semester 2020 pass/fail classes to meet core requirements, and will accept pass/fail high school foreign language courses to meet UNI graduation requirements.

Will my transfer courses count if they have changed to pass/fail?

UNI will accept Spring 2020 transfer credit that is taken pass/fail, as well as college courses taken pass/fail through PSEO/dual enrollment, in satisfying degree requirements (general education, major courses, and electives).

The AP exams are changing format. Will my scores still count?

AP exam scores that you earn this semester in the adapted online format will still apply to UNI curriculum as normal.

IB exams were canceled, will UNI still provide credit for these courses?

IB will be assigning results to students based on completed work. UNI will honor that and still give credit.