ISSS Financial Aid Program

General Information

Eligibility Criteria

Funding Criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

Appeals Process

How to Apply

Types of Funding

Walk-in Hours

Financial aid application

Eligibility Criteria

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee that you will receive ISSS funding. International students on F-1/J-1 student visas may apply for ISSS funding under the following conditions only:

• You must be in legal F-1 or J- 1 student status. An international student who is enrolled at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities but holds a visa other than F-1 or J-1 student category is not eligible to apply for and/or receive ISSS financial aid. This includes but is not limited to the following: J-1 research scholar, H-1, H-4, F-2, J-2, A-1, L-2, TN/TD; students who hold dual citizenship of the U.S. and another country; students on F-1/J-1 student visas whose spouse or parent holds an H-1 visa, permanent residency or is a U.S. citizen; students who are applying for a change of status to F-1/J-1 student; students who are in the process of adjusting their status to permanent residency or changing their status from F-1/J-1 student to any other non-immigrant visa.
• You must be able to document that the financial support stated on your visa document/s changed unexpectedly and due to circumstances beyond your control.
• You must be admitted to and enrolled full-time in a degree program at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus.
• In order to be considered for funding, your cumulative GPA must be at least 2.5 for undergraduates, at least 3.0 for students in graduate or professional school programs. While receiving financial aid from ISSS, students must successfully complete their courses and maintain a semester and cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for undergraduates or 3.0 for graduate or professional school students.
• You must have held F-1/J-1 student status at the U of MN-Twin Cities for at least 12 months. Students pursuing a Bachelor or Doctoral program at the U of MN must have held legal F-1/J-1 student status for at least 2 academic years.
• You must have completed at least 48 credits if an undergraduate or 12/24 credits if a graduate or professional school student. ESL credits do not count.
• Funding may be received for one degree program and one major only during your studies at the U of MN. Students in Bachelor or Doctoral degree programs may be eligible to receive funding for a maximum of two years; students in a Masters degree program may receive up to one year of funding.
• While receiving ISSS financial aid, you must register for credits and grades on an A/F or S/N grading basis. Before you enroll for Independent/Distance Learning classes, please consult with the ISSS financial aid adviser to see if the cost of these classes may be covered through an ISSS scholarship
• Funding is not renewed automatically. Students in Bachelor or Doctoral programs must reapply by the deadline and meet the eligibility and funding criteria for each year they seek funding. Receiving ISSS financial aid for one academic year does not guarantee that it will be renewed.
• To be considered for financial aid, you must be employed and submit an Employment Verification form. You must remain employed if awarded ISSS financial aid.