Student Impact Grant


Student Impact Grants provide funding for a variety of University of Iowa undergraduate and graduate student activities outside the classroom, such as research, travel, and service projects. The goal is to enable students to pursue opportunities that might not otherwise be possible without financial assistance.

The President's Office has generously allocated $7,000 per semester to help enhance the student experience through these grants. The designated funds come from generous philanthropic gifts made by alumni and friends who have chosen to provide unrestricted support to the university.

Grants are awarded twice a year. Applications are typically accepted for the summer/fall semester beginning in January and for the winter/spring semester beginning in September.

The grants are made possible by a partnership between the Office of the President and Student Advancement Network (SAN).

GRANT GUIDELINES

Award Application Process

Applications will be considered for funding based on the timeline below. An online form will be available for students and student groups to use when the application period opens. A maximum of $7,000 in total grants will be awarded. Grant amounts will range from $100-$1,000 awards.

Summer and Fall 2025 Semester Award Grant Cycle

  • January 27: Application opens
  • February 21: Application deadline (5 p.m.)
  • April 11: Grant recipients will be notified about funding requests for winter or spring semester.
  • April 21: Signed recipient agreement form due
  • April 29: Winter/Spring 2024 grant recipient presentations detailing how the funds were used and how the grant enhanced the recipient’s Iowa experience. This event is open to the public.
  • May 19: Award transfers/payments for summer projects
  • August 25: Award transfers/payments for fall projects
  • December 2: Summer/Fall 2025 grant recipient presentations detailing how the funds were used and how the grant enhanced the recipient's Iowa experience. This event is open to the public.

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be enrolled full time as a University of Iowa undergraduate or graduate student for the fall 2025 semester and be in good standing as defined in the University of Iowa Code of Student Life.
  • Student groups or organizations must be recognized by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership or by a University of Iowa department.
  • If your program is funded in full by other programs or funding methods your program is not eligible.
  • Program/experience must abide by all university guidelines. Grant funding does not permit activities that conflict with these guidelines.
  • Program/experience must abide by all university research guidelines. Grant funding does not permit activities that conflict with Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines. Funding does not provide IRB permission for the project.
  • Funding requests must be shown to improve or enhance the student experience and may not be used to reimburse research subjects. Recipients will share about this outcome during a biannual Student Impact Grant Presentation event.
  • Once a student receives a grant, they are not eligible for another University of Iowa Center for Advancement student grant within the next three years.
  • Grants are not renewable.
  • Recipients must present during the Summer/Fall grant recipient presentation detailing how the funds were used and how your Iowa experience was enhanced because of this award. Presentations will be held on Dec. 2, 2025.

Review Process

Members of the University of Iowa Student Advancement Network will review all submissions and make a recommendation. A University of Iowa Center for Advancement employee will oversee the scoring and review process. After review, recommendations will be sent to the Office of the President, which will make the final decision on all grant awards.

Awardees will then be notified of their selection to receive a grant, and payment will be provided by the Office of the President through a transfer to the student's U-Bill or student organization's account. The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid will be consulted to ensure that funding does not affect other financial aid that a student may receive.

If you have questions, please contact Hannah McClintock at hannah.mcclintock@foriowa.org.

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From the volleyball court to the court of law, Emily Bushman has always brought passion and a competitive spirit to anything she tackles. PHOTO: Tork Mason/hawkeyesports.com Iowa Hawkeyes defensive specialist Emily Bushman bumps the ball during a match against Nebraska at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on November 7, 2018. Emily Bushman (20BBA, 23JD) was the heart and soul of the Iowa volleyball program during her time in Iowa City. Bushman is now living in New Orleans and working as an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow with Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy, a nonprofit legal organization whose mission is to fight alongside clients in immigration proceedings and defend the rights of immigrant communities. We caught up with Bushman to talk about her time at Iowa and her life beyond the court. You were a four-year letterwinner for the Hawkeyes. What did you learn from your time as a student-athlete that you still think about today? One of the biggest things I learned was leaning on one another and building a culture of unwavering support and growth?being there for others who need to lean on you and having the support of your teammates when you need it. I loved being a part of the system of support and encouraging one another to be the best versions of ourselves, finding joy and levity even in the toughest times. You can?t overstate the connections with your teammates and the type of bond you have with one another. That?s something I think about often?the community I was lucky enough to be a part of in Iowa City. What?s your favorite memory from your time as a student-athlete? There are so many memories with teammates?just hanging out with one another, traveling on the road to away games, or just goofing around in the locker room. The time spent with teammates off the court is invaluable. Those memories will always stand out the most; they?re moments I hold very dear. On the court, our 2018 win over Wisconsin?who was No. 6 at the time?will always be a highlight for me. When did you know law school was in your future? I took a class my freshman year with Brian Farrell (98JD), and it was the first time I had started considering law school. It was super helpful seeing what law school was like and what careers were available. During your time as a Hawkeye, you worked for the University of Iowa Legal Clinic. How did those experiences help solidify your career path? The UI Legal Clinic operates in the law school, and professors in the clinic act as supervising attorneys. Law students are allowed to practice under their supervision. You are assigned cases in several different practice areas, and I took on cases in federal criminal defense and immigration. I can?t imagine going through law school without those experiences because it?s a great opportunity to work collaboratively with your supervisor and other students. Most importantly, you?re working directly with and for clients. You really learn your style of lawyering and how to fight alongside your clients to navigate the legal process, achieve their goals, and zealously advocate on their behalf. I can?t say enough positive things about my experience in the UI Legal Clinic. You?re the first-ever UI law graduate to work as a fellow for Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy (ISLA). Can you talk about your role with this organization? In immigration proceedings, you have the right to an attorney, but an attorney is not automatically provided for you. Therefore, if you can?t afford an attorney or, alternatively, find an attorney or organization to take on your case pro bono, you must handle the case on your own?and that places a lot of obstacles in front of someone who is already facing immense adversity. At ISLA, we provide pro bono representation to individuals in ICE detention centers in Louisiana. We represent people in front of the immigration court and handle appeals, too. ISLA also runs a help desk at one of the Immigration Courts in the area and represents some unaccompanied minors as well. Importantly, we assist with providing all types of support to individuals who may need it while in detention or post-release. I started my two-year fellowship in September, and I?ll eventually have my own caseload. There?s so much to be done. There are so many people who could use a lawyer, and I?m happy to have the opportunity to help in any capacity I can. I am grateful to be a part of someone?s team, fighting for and alongside them.

We offer many opportunities for Hawkeyes to engage with philanthropy and learn how it positively impacts their college experience.

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