Financial Aid

Students are eligible for applicable financial aid and/or loan deferment. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for Federal Direct Stafford Loans. For more information, see the ISU Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Scholarships

MPPD students can supply for scholarships to support the cost of attendance. In addition to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics foundation scholarships listed below, students should check with their state Academy of Nutrition ad Dietetics such as the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation scholarships
  • College of Human Sciences scholarships New student application is due February 1.
  • Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition scholarships.
  • Master of Professional Practice in Dietetics Scholarships. In addition to the department’s graduate student scholarships, the following scholarships are available to MPPD students only.
    • Helen Reilly Cahill scholarship is open to all full-time students in the MPPD program who have demonstrated academic ability, work, and volunteer experience in areas transferable to dietetics and who have the potential to make significant contributions to the dietetics profession. Applications are due March 1.
    • Patricia A. Harper Scholarship is open to all full-time students in the MPPD program who earned their undergraduate degree at Iowa State University and have a documented financial need. Applications are due March 1.
    • International Travel Scholarships

Stipend

MPPD students are not paid a stipend, but you may be eligible for financial aid and/or loan deferment. For more information, see the ISU Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Program Related Costs

In addition to the tuition, there are some fees for items such as the application, transcripts, student memberships, background checks, etc. that are all included in the program-related expenses handout and listed below. All students pay in-state resident tuition.

Application Costs

Item Explanantion Cost
Transcript fees Submission of one original transcript to the ISU Graduate college (Transcript submission fee varies per university) $0-25
Graduate College application fee ISU Graduate College Application fee $60

Program Costs

Item Explanation Cost
ISU Graduate Tuition and Fees Total: $19,894
Fall Semester Tuition (11 credits) Tuition for 11 credits*: 9 x $748 = $6732 + Technology fees: $162 $6894
Spring Semester Tuition (11 credits) Tuition for 11 credits*: 9 x $748 = $6732 + Technology fees: $162 $6894
Summer Semester Tuition (8 credits) Tuition for 8 credits**: 8 x $748 = $5984 + Technology fees: $121.50 $6105.50
Health and Facility Requirements Total: Varies
Required background check (Fees subject to change without notice and possible additional charges such as court fees for the search. You will see all charges before confirming) $30-40
Medical examination and immunizations (cost varies based on insurance type and coverage) $0-200
BCLS certification $100-125
Bloodborne Pathogen Training $35
ServSafe®/Food Handler certification (cost varies based on state requirements) $60-165
Medical/Health Insurance (cost varies based on coverage; approximate cost provided for individual insurance purchased through the Iowa State University student scholar program for 2020-21) $1884
Other facility requirements (drug screening, verification of intern identity, etc.) $0-150
Facility fee (This is not a typical charge. Check with the site you are interested in completing your supervised experiential learning. Some facilities may charge the student a ‘facility fee’ for completing supervised practice at that facility. The student is responsible for this fee in addition to the ISU-MPPD tuition and fees) Varies
Supportive Material Total: Varies
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics student membership (includes access to online evidence-based analysis library and ANDHII) $58
eNCPT student subscription $35
Student subscription to the online Nutrition Care Manual (For the student discount code, please call the Academy at 1-800-877-1600) $75
Annual auto insurance (rates may vary based on minimum state coverage requirement, driving history, coverage purchased, etc.) ~$3000
Travel to and from supervised practice sites (approximate daily expenses provided for traveling 30-50 miles round trip using federal mileage reimbursement rate; expenses may vary considerably if traveling by transit system or if traveling longer distances by car) $35-58
Living expenses during the internship (car, housing, food, clothing): Cost of living can be estimated using these cost of living calculators such as https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/ Varies
Computer (you are NOT required to purchase a new computer for the program; cost estimate provided in case you need to upgrade your technology) $1300
Allele (Simulation program $40×3) $120
Lab coat $25+
Textbooks $250
Verification statement processing fee $30
CDR exam fee $200
Optional International Experience France (2 weeks) Total: Varies
Airfare, lodging, some meals, transportation, entrance fees and program coordination ~$4860
Mandatory international health and emergency insurance coverage $1.31/day
Out of Pocket expenses (meals, passport fee, incidentals) $545
Optional International Experience Ghana (4 weeks) Total: Varies
On-site transportation, University of Ghana administrative fees, support staff, group meals, and housing ~$3500
Mandatory international health and emergency insurance coverage $1.31/day
Out of Pocket expenses (includes airfare, some ground transportation, passport, Visa, weekend lodging, some meals, incidentals, and vaccinations) $2000-3000
Resources Provided by the Program
Intercultural Development Inventory Profile
Professional Liability insurance
HIPAA training
Subscription to the online EatrightPREP software for RDN exam preparation (15-month access)

*Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. Tuition for nine or more credits are estimated using nine credits only. Nine credits during the spring and fall semester are considered full-time status.

**Six and a half credits are considered a full-time graduate load during the summer semester.

#Technology fee is charged to all Iowa State students regardless of on- or off-campus designation. This fee is used to support the computer infrastructure within the university. See the Iowa State tuition website for current tuition and fees. This is not a comprehensive list. Additional costs may be incurred.