Iowa Public Universities To Refund Housing, Dining Fees
Iowa's three public universities announced Monday that they will provide some financial relief for students affected by this semester's coronavirus outbreak. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that this will include housing and dining fees at the schools, but not tuition and other mandatory fees.
A message from the University of Iowa on Monday told families that each student's remaining room and meal plan will be credited back to their bill by no later than May 1st. Iowa State announced yesterday that it will refund 40% of residence hall contracts, as well as course fees for the spring semester. The school will also offer refunds on student parking permits. The University of Northern Iowa is adopting a similar plan and refunding housing and meal plans along with other fees.
The schools noted that tuition fees are still needed to cover ongoing operations including retaining the faculty and staff needed to provide virtual learning and other online instructions.