Iowa Edge

About

The Iowa Edge program is a donor-funded initiative designed to support students as they transition to the University of Iowa. Through networking and community-building activities, participants engage in sessions that provide the knowledge and skills needed for a successful start as Hawkeyes. This free program is open to all new and transfer students, with a focus on supporting individuals from low-income areas, rural areas, and first-generation students. 

Gaining the Iowa Edge

Embark on your college journey at the University of Iowa with a head start through the Iowa Edge program!

Iowa Edge begins before your first semester at the University of Iowa to help with the transition to the campus. Here is what you can look forward to in the pre-semester experience:

Networking: Forge connections with faculty and campus leaders ready to guide you.
Community: Join a vibrant group of peers and start building lifelong friendships.
Leadership: Hone skills that will propel you to success in academics and beyond.

Kick off your first day of classes feeling confident and prepared, paving your way to becoming a proud University of Iowa alum.

How to Apply

The Iowa Edge application for Fall 2025 will be available in late May. Check back soon.

Apply via MyUI by selecting ‘Admissions Profile’ and completing the Iowa Edge Application.

The program will admit up to 150 students. Submit applications by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. for priority consideration. Notifications will be sent by July 8, 2025. Applications post-deadline are accepted if space permits.

Submit Application

Submit your application by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Go to MyUI, select Admissions Profile, locate and fill out the Iowa Edge Application

FAQ's

How to Apply/Enroll

To apply for the Iowa Edge, please follow these steps:

Go to MyUI
- Select Admissions Profile
- Locate and fill out the Iowa Edge Application
- For questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Blake SImpson-Wade blake-simpson-wade@uiowa.edu

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM, Sunday, June 30, 2025.

What date/time should I arrive on campus if I am selected for the Iowa Edge Program?

Students will check in for the Iowa Edge program on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and Iowa Edge staff will request move-in times for participants from University Housing & Dining for the morning of Saturday, August 16, 2025. For students living off-campus, please make sure to be in Iowa City by Saturday, August 16, 2025. 

Will I be able to move directly into my actual dorm room, or is there special housing for Iowa Edge?

You can move right into your residence hall room for the year. You should receive your room assignment by late July and that information is shared with Iowa Edge staff.

Will our meal plan be active during the program, or do we have to pay for our meals?

During the Iowa Edge program, most meals are provided by the program, but students may also need to depend on their meal plans for some meals. For students without meal plans, alternative arrangements may be possible.

Is there an itinerary of activities?

Families and students will be provided with itineraries for the program during check-in on Sunday. Until we release the official itineraries, you can expect there to be arrangements for participants to interact with faculty and professors, tours of many important buildings and resource offices, leadership training and classroom experiences, and sessions on financial literacy, study skills, and career paths.

Additional FAQ's

I’m not sure if my application went through.

TBD

I might miss a day of the Iowa Edge Program date. Can I still apply for the program?

Since the Iowa Edge program is limited in the number of students who can actually participate, we can only accept students who can commit to completing the program in its entirety.

I will be living off-campus. Can I still participate in the Iowa Edge Program?

While the Iowa Edge program is designed for students who live on-campus, we will accept students into the program who live off-campus. It will be your responsibility to arrive on- campus each day at the assigned time and stay for the duration of the program each day, or a cancellation fee will be assessed. For planning purposes, we would like to know where you will be living during the week of Iowa Edge to provide you with appropriate logistical communication regarding your participation in the program. Please note that the application will request that your address of residence be submitted before applying.

I am participating in the Honors Primetime program, Hawkeye Marching Band, or another program with conflicting times with the Iowa Edge Program. Can I still participate in Iowa Edge and my other program simultaneously?

Honors Primetime has options for students to choose from. If you would like to participate in Iowa Edge and Honors Primetime, select Option 2 as described on the Honors Primetime website.

Unfortunately, due to significant time overlaps, students can’t participate in the Iowa Edge program if they participate in Hawkeye Marching Band or any other conflicting program.

I have already made arrangements for an early move-in on or before August 13th. Should I continue to register for this early move-in just if I am not accepted into the program

If you have already made arrangements for the 18^th, please keep that arrangement. If you are accepted into the Iowa Edge Program, it will cover your early move-in fee at no cost. If you are accepted into the Iowa Edge Program, it will cover your early move-in fee for up to one night at no cost. If you move in before the 18^th, you will be responsible for fees associated with those days.

Peer Leaders

Peer Leaders are trained to provide a person-centered, community-centered orientation to university life the week before classes begin for students who face challenging issues of transition. Iowa Edge peer leaders directly address and positively impact these students’ rates of persistence, retention, and graduation.

University College