Here is where it all comes together
Congratulations on your offer of admission to Iowa State! Your hard work and dedication have paid off, and we’re thrilled to welcome you to the Cyclone community. Your future is in the making.
For Admitted International Undergraduate Students
Let's make it official
Take the next step in becoming a Cyclone by accepting your offer of admission today.
Accept your offer of admission by submitting the $425 acceptance fee. This crucial step ensures you stay on track to access important next steps, including the on-campus housing contract and essential online orientation materials, such as course registration, early arrival housing, health records, and more.
The Office of Admissions offers a range of scholarships for international undergraduate students. Students must receive admission to Iowa State to be eligible for scholarships.
International Excellence Award ($10,000-$12,000/year)
This scholarship is automatically awarded to first-year international students based on their GPA and SAT/ACT scores. For automatic scholarship consideration, upload your SAT/ACT scores to your Admissions MyAccount.
International Merit Scholarship ($4,000 or $10,000)
First-year and transfer students may apply for this scholarship through Iowa State University’s OneApp Scholarship Application. To apply, complete the general OneApp application and the separate International Admissions Scholarship application for your entry term, available under “recommended opportunities”. Note that the International Excellence Award cannot be combined with the International Merit Scholarship.
Additionally, Iowa State's academic colleges and departments offer further scholarship opportunities that may be combined with either of the scholarships mentioned above. Students are encouraged to explore these additional scholarship opportunities through the OneApp.
If you have additional questions, please send them to admissions@iastate.edu.
Iowa State has a variety of on-campus housing options for students.
Your housing assignment is based off the date you submit your housing contract and is made on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can make adjustments to your contract later, for example, adding a roommate or learning community.
After being admitted to Iowa State, you will receive your 9-digit university ID number. Be sure to keep this number on hand, as it will be used throughout your arrival process.
Your Net-ID serves as your Iowa State University username which you will use to access Iowa State accounts and web applications, such as your Iowa State email.
To receive your I-20 form, please ensure all admissions documents, including your passport and financial documents, are submitted to the Office of Admissions via your Admissions MyAccount.
If you have not yet received your I-20 or have additional questions, you may contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@iastate.edu.
Once you have received your SEVIS I-20 from the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), please check it carefully for any spelling errors in your name. The information on the form I-20 must match your passport. Please note some fields on the I-20, such as passport name field, are intentionally left blank. If everything checks out on the I-20, your next steps are as follows:
1. Print the I-20 and sign by hand in blue ink at the bottom of page 1 where you see your name listed. An International Students and Scholars (ISSO) staff members name should also appear at the bottom with a digital signature. If you are currently studying in the U.S. on a valid F-1 visa status, a SEVIS transfer 1-20 / DS-2019 Form will be issued AFTER your current institution releases your SEVIS record to Iowa State (the release date is usually on or after the last day of classes).
2. Pay the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee.
3. Complete a DS-160 visa application form. To successfully complete this form, you will need your I-20 / DS-2019. If you do not know anyone in the U.S., you can use the following information to complete the U.S. Point of Contact Information section.
Name: Enter the name of the school official signing your I-20 or DS-2019
Address: 2229 Lincoln Way, #4530 Ames, IA 50014
Phone: 515-294-1120
Email: isso@iastate.edu
Note: F-1 students from Canada and Bermuda are not required to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa to enter the U.S. Students from these two countries will however need a valid I-20 to enter the U.S. in F-1 status. If you are from Canada or Bermuda, make sure you have your I-20 handy at the U.S. port of entry.
4. After successfully completing the DS-160, schedule your F-1 visa appointment on the website of the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Each Embassy manages their scheduling process for consular interviews differently, so please read the information on your specific Embassy location’s website carefully. Make sure you bring you SEVIS fee (I-901 fee) receipt and your signed I-20 to your consular interview. The U.S. Consulate you applied to will provide detailed instructions regarding all documents needed at the time of your interview.
Understanding the following tips can be critical to the success of your F-1 visa consular interview. Please look them over in detail prior to your Embassy visit.
Complete DS-160 visa application
If you are currently studying in the U.S. on a valid F-1 visa, a SEVIS transfer I-20 / DS-2019 Form will be issued AFTER your current institution releases your SEVIS record to Iowa State (the release date is usually on or after the last day of classes).
If you are a SEVIS transfer in student, you must complete the SEVIS Transfer to Iowa State University e-Form in CyStart.
Login to CyStart through the “New and Former International Students and Scholars” on the right side of the screen. If you have registered your Iowa State University NetID, then use your NetID and password to login. If you have not yet registered your University NetID, then you will need to request a PIN through the link at the bottom of the screen that says “E-mail me my Limited Access PIN.” Once receiving the pin by email, finish logging into the page. Select “Student Services” on the left side of the page. Select “SEVIS Transfer to Iowa State University”. This form must be completed by you and the International Student Advisor at your current institution before your Iowa State University SEVIS transfer I-20 can be issued.
Approximately three months before the start the semester, the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) will email you a pre-arrival guide which includes important information about temporary housing, registering for orientation, necessary tasks for class registration, immunization requirements, and more. You will also receive instructions to complete onboarding requirements for the Workday Student system. You are required to complete the following onboarding requirements before attending orientation and attending class.
Questions regarding orientation and or the pre-arrival guide, please contact ISSO at isorient@iastate.edu.
Your high school counselor may submit your academic records via the Common App or email them directly to etranscripts@iastate.edu. Also, upon your arrival to campus, you may provide a physical copy of your official records.
Please note that for a physical copy to be considered official, it must be issued by the institution and include the official stamp and signature. Photocopies will not be accepted as official unless they are certified by the institution.
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) partners with University Transportation Services to offer a free shuttle service for new international undergraduate students from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Ames, Iowa. This service is available up to one week before the mandatory arrival date.
To reserve your shuttle, please refer to the instructions outlined by ISSO in the pre-arrival guide.
As a new international Cyclone, you are required to attend New Student Orientation. This program, presented by the International Students and Scholars Office, is designed to help you acclimate to campus life and introduce you to the international community at Iowa State.
During orientation, you will:
- Complete your required immigration processing with an ISSO international advisor (mandatory)
- Meet with your academic advisor to finalize your registration for your first-semester classes
- Learn about campus resources and important information about Iowa State
- Make new friends through ISSO social events and Destination Iowa State
Destination Iowa State is an action-packed event for new students, held before the fall and spring semesters.
- Connect with new students and team up with an experienced team leader.
- Explore the campus and find your favorite spots.
- Prepare for classes by locating classrooms and learning about technology.
- Experience traditions like Hilton Magic and meeting Cy.
- Discover resources to stay safe and well.
- Join Cyclone Nation and tap into the Iowa State community.
The International Students and Scholars Office is dedicated to providing international scholars and students with the support, resources, and guidance they need to excel both academically and personally during their time at Iowa State.
Admitted student events
Admitted student events are a great opportunity for you to meet Iowa State staff and future Cyclone classmates. You will also learn more about the next steps in your journey to Iowa State University.
Check back for future dates and locations.
