About the acceptance fee policy

The $425 acceptance fee applies specifically to the term for which you accept your admission offer. If you defer your entry term by no more than one year, we will apply your payment to your new entry term, and you typically will not be required to pay the fee again. However, the refund deadline for the original entry term remains in effect. If you wish to defer your entry term by more than one year, you will be required to submit a new application for admission and pay a new acceptance fee.

Here’s how the $425 acceptance fee is allocated:

Acceptance fees
Acceptance feesFee amount
New Student Programs$105
Orientation$180
ALEKS fee$5
Housing application$10
Housing prepayment$125


How the acceptance fee is allocated

These fees are included in the $425 acceptance fee shown above:

New Student Programs/Matriculation fees

The New Student Programs/Matriculation fee of $290 is assessed to all new degree-seeking undergraduate students. This fee covers costs associated with orientation and Destination Iowa State programming for all new first-year and transfer students and their guests, including math assessment, publications, digital and print communications, program delivery, and wages for student assistants who provide essential services to students and their families.

If a student chooses not to enroll, the fee is refundable minus a $50 administrative fee to offset initial processing costs, provided the student withdraws their acceptance by May 1 for summer/fall semesters or by November 1 for the spring semester.

Housing fees

If you contract for university housing, the $135 advance payment will serve as your housing prepayment. Should you cancel your housing contract or admission, the acceptance fee may be partially refundable depending on when the Office of Admissions or the Department of Residence receives your cancellation notice.

Frequently asked questions

When viewing your university bill, you may be seeing both a credit and a debit related to your acceptance fee. This is not a new charge. These entries reflect how the acceptance fee is applied to your account.

All new degree-seeking undergraduate students are required to pay the acceptance fee to enroll at Iowa State. Your acceptance fee may have been deferred so you could use financial aid and additional time to prepare for the payment.

All new degree-seeking undergraduate students are required to pay the acceptance fee to enroll. While your bill may show how the fee is allocated, individual components of the fee are not refundable.

If you missed Destination Iowa State, you are welcome to pick up your Iowa State t-shirt and bag at New Student Programs (5530 Memorial Union) during business hours.

If you selected online orientation, please note that there are still costs associated with delivering both online and in-person services. We hope you enjoyed your welcome box!

The acceptance fee fully funds New Student Programs and supports orientation, Destination Iowa State, and related services. These programs are not funded by state appropriations or tuition and fee revenue.

In addition to the acceptance fee, international students are charged a one-time $120 fee.

This fee applies to all new undergraduate degree-seeking students in non-immigrant status and supports international student orientation, as well as transition programs and services tailored to international students.

For questions about this fee, please get in touch with the International Students and Scholars Office.

For questions specifically about deferring the acceptance fee, please contact the Office of Admissions:

For general questions about the acceptance (matriculation) fee, please contact the New Student Programs Office:

Refund requests

To withdraw your admission and request a partial refund of the acceptance fee, you must decline your admission offer via your Admissions MyAccount by the applicable deadlines.

Refund deadlines for the acceptance fee

Fall semester: May 1

Spring semester: November 1

Summer semester: May 1

Please note: If you are admitted after the refund deadline, the acceptance fee is nonrefundable.

Decline your offer of admission

If you’ve decided to decline your offer of admission, we’re sorry to see you go! You can officially withdraw in your Admissions MyAccount.

Refund policy for admissions and university housing contracts

Admission cancellation (no longer planning to attend Iowa State)

Before deadline:

  • No housing contract submitted: Refund of $375
  • Housing contract submitted: Refund of $365

After deadline:

  • No housing contract submitted: Refund of $135
  • Housing contract submitted: No refund

Housing contract cancellation (still attending Iowa State, but not living in university housing)

Before deadline:

  • Non-university housing: No direct refund, but $125 will be credited to your university bill.

After deadline:

  • Non-university housing: No refund. A cancellation fee is assessed:
    • Housing assignment: 50% of the rate
    • Dining meal plan: 80% of the rate

Housing guidance for students joining sororities or fraternities

Most women joining sororities live in residence halls during their first year, while some men joining fraternities move directly into fraternity houses.

If you're considering moving into a sorority or fraternity chapter house, it's a good idea to submit a university residence hall or apartment contract early. This increases your chances of securing your preferred housing and gives you time to decide if chapter house living is the right choice.

For contract cancellations after the deadline, consult with your sorority or fraternity—they may offer financial assistance to help with the transition.

Important: If you choose to move into a fraternity or sorority house, cancel your university housing contract by May 1.