Acceptance Fee Refund Policy
The $330 acceptance fee is specific to the term for which you accept your offer of admission. If you change your term of entry, you will be assessed this fee again.
Of the total amount, $195 is applied toward the New Student Programs fee (orientation and Destination Iowa State programs), and the remaining $135 is an advance payment on your university bill. If you contract for university residence halls or apartments, your $135 advance payment will be used to make your $135 housing prepayment. If you cancel your housing contract and/or your admission, your $330 acceptance fee may be partially refundable, depending upon the date by which the Office of Admissions or the Department of Residence receives your notice of cancellation.
Cancellations must be received in writing, either via e-mail or through the U.S. Postal Service. The table below indicates the amount that will be refunded.
Deadlines for Cancellation*
| Entry Semester | Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | May 1 |
| Spring Semester | November 1 |
| Summer Semester | May 1 |
* If you are offered admission after the deadline for cancellation, the acceptance fee is nonrefundable.
Refund Information for Admissions or University Housing Contract
| Canceled | When | In Order To Live In | Refund Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions (i.e., no longer plan to attend Iowa State) |
Before deadline | $305 if no housing contract was submitted. | |
| $295 if housing contract was submitted. | |||
| After deadline | $135 if no housing contract was submitted. | ||
| No refund if housing contract was submitted. | |||
| Housing Contract (i.e., still plan to attend Iowa State, but do not plan to live in university housing) |
Before deadline | Non-university housing | No direct refund. However, $125 will be credited to university bill. |
| Greek housing | No direct refund. However, $125 will be credited to university bill. | ||
| After deadline | Non-university housing | No refund and an 80% housing cancellation fee is assessed (equal to approximately $5,565 for typical residence hall room). | |
| Greek housing | If canceled between May 2 and August 1, no refund but no housing cancellation fee assessed. | ||
| If canceled after August 1, no refund and an 80% housing cancellation fee is assessed (equal to approximately $5,565 for typical residence hall room).* |
* Each fraternity and sorority house that occupies a chapter dwelling is allowed some exceptions to this policy (determined by the Office of Greek Affairs). The housing cancellation fee for those who qualify for the exception is 15% of unused room and board, rather than 80%. Check with your individual chapter house for details.
Students Interested in Living in Greek Housing
Almost all women who join a sorority live in residence halls during their first year, while most men who join a fraternity move directly into the fraternity houses.
If you are interested in moving into a Greek chapter house, you may go ahead and submit a university residence hall or apartment contract to enhance your chances of getting your top housing preferences and to give you more time to decide whether you wish to move into a fraternity or sorority chapter house.
Just remember that if you decide to move into a fraternity or sorority chapter house, it is critical that you cancel your contract by August 1st.
