Tutoring

  • 91%

    say tutoring improves overall academic skills

  • 89%

    are more satisfied with their college experience because of tutoring

How does tutoring work?

  • Tutoring takes place in person, in small groups, consisting of 2 to 8 students.
  • Students can request a tutor in any undergraduate course they are currently enrolled in at Iowa State.
  • Group tutoring sessions cost $5 per session.
  • Groups meet at a consistent day and time twice a week during the academic year and three times per week during the summer. Sessions are 50 minutes
  • Groups are interactive and led by a qualified peer tutor.

Request a Tutor

Tutoring has been such a big help for allowing me to learn from my peers' questions and getting extra review over tough topics from a student who has actually been in my shoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Be registered at Iowa State for the undergraduate course for which you want a tutor.
  2. Complete your request through our website.
  3. Select funding source: U-Bill (self-funded) or funding source (requires approval). Funding sources can be updated.
  4. Have an open schedule with at least fourteen hours of availability to allow us to effectively match you with a tutor.
  5. Keep your request up-to-date and withdraw your request if needed.
  6. Watch for an e-mail from your tutor once you are assigned a group. Tutoring is not guaranteed, placement depends on the number of qualified tutors and schedule compatibility.

Sign into your Tutoring Profile to Begin

Group tutoring costs $5 per session.

  • Tutoring fees are charged to your U-Bill once a month for the previous month
  • Funding sources are available for tutees to review and select in the application. Questions regarding your funding approval will be directed to their staff. If your funding is not approved, you will need to pay by U-Bill or withdraw.
  • Please select the Financial Assistance: Dean of Students Office funding source if you are concerned about the fees.

Please contact Tutoring Services, at tutorsrv@iastate.edu, if you need help paying for tutoring.

Through our research, we have found many benefits of group tutoring.

  • Collaboration: Students can ask questions, discuss, and share ideas with 2-8 students in a similar situation. Sessions are designed to encourage thinking and peer-to-peer interactions.
  • Critical Thinking: They get to build on what they know, practice, and problem solve with the help of multiple, diverse perspectives.
  • Confidence: Students learn how to learn through engaging activities and skill development. And the main bonus? Earn higher grades!
  • Community: They also get to listen and learn in a comfortable environment where they form relationships with other tutees and their tutor while increasing their sense of belonging at Iowa State.

We are happy to provide a group learning experience through Tutoring Services. Individual tutoring is not something we provide. You can still experience individualized attention in our small group setting. Tutors are trained to meet your needs and provide a meaningful experience. You could also request occasional 1:1 sessions with your tutor once you are assigned a tutoring group. Please follow up with Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu if you more questions.

You can request a tutor on the tutoring website as early as a week before the start of each term (Fall, Spring, and Summer). During the academic year, tutors can be requested anytime up until a month before the end of a semester, but we suggest requesting a tutor as soon as you know you might have interest in receiving additional assistance.

Although we strive to fulfill students' requests, we cannot guarantee all students will be placed in a tutoring group. Placement depends on availability of qualified tutors and tutor-tutee schedule compatibility. Please keep in mind, recruiting qualified tutors for 300 and 400 level courses can be challenging, but we will do our best to fulfill each request.

Writing consultations are available through the Academic Success Center located in 2261 Hixson-Lied Student Success Center. ENGL 150 and 250 requests are automatically routed to Writing and Communication Consultations. Students seeking assistance for ENGL 302 and 314 should contact the Department of English (203 Ross Hall, 515-294-2180, engldept@iastate.edu). Students can request tutoring for other English courses.

In addition to graduate level courses, the ASC does not offer tutoring for a few undergraduate courses on campus. ENGL 150 and 250 requests are automatically routed to Writing and Communication Consultations. Students seeking assistance for ENGL 302 and 314 should contact the Department of English (203 Ross Hall, 515-294-2180, engldept@iastate.edu). Students can request tutoring for other English courses. Students seeking assistance for FRNCH 301 and FRNCH 302 should contact their instructor. Students can request tutoring for other French courses. The ASC also does not offer tutoring for courses below the 100-level.

Graduate students enrolled in undergraduate courses can request a tutor. However, the ASC does not offer tutoring for graduate-level courses. We recommend graduate students create peer study groups and work with their major professor, instructor, or TA for assistance for graduate-level course work. Graduate students can seek assistance with writing from Writing and Communication Consultations by calling 515-294-6624.

We understand that students have a busy schedule. We also know that consistently reinforcing and applying knowledge is essential for effective learning. Because of this, tutoring groups must meet twice a week for 50 minutes each session. To maximize placement, students seeking tutoring have to indicate 14 hours of availability but are encouraged to indicate more on their tutoring request.

If you cannot attend a session, please make sure you notify your tutor ahead of time and let them know so you may avoid being charged for the scheduled session. Tutees can only miss four tutoring sessions. Please refer to the Policy Statement for Tutees. For extenuating circumstances, please speak to the tutor and contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu.

If your conflict will be an ongoing concern, ask your tutor if it is possible for the group to meet at a different time. The tutor can facilitate a discussion to identify whether there is a new time that works for all members. If the group cannot find a new time, you should contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu to potentially be placed in a different group.

If you miss more than four tutoring sessions (no-show) you will be removed from the tutoring group and will not be allowed to join another tutoring group for that course during the semester. To avoid this, work with your tutor to determine a day, time, and group that meets your needs. Be sure to keep your profile up-to-date regarding your availability. If you have extenuating circumstances, please notify Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu and we will work with you to meet your tutoring needs.

All prospective tutors must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and have earned at least a B or higher or tested out of the course they want to tutor. All tutors complete an interview to be considered for the position. Once hired, tutors attend a tutor orientation and are evaluated by both the students they are tutoring and by Tutoring Services staff members. Tutors also have the opportunity to attend workshops to provide them with continued development in the position.

Tutors are given the freedom to decide the location of their tutoring sessions. Although the Academic Success Center is located in the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center (across from the Maple-Willow-Larch Residence Halls), tutoring sessions can take place in any public, on-campus location that has minimal distractions.

We understand that sometimes issues arise in a group setting. While we do not want these to interfere with the learning process, we do want our tutors and tutees to take steps to resolve the issues on their own (when possible) before contacting Tutoring Services.

Follow these three steps:

  1. Communicate with the other person and address the issue(s).
  2. If the issue cannot be resolved through communication, contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu or 515-294-6624 to discuss your situation.
  3. Submit a request to change groups through your tutoring profile with a detailed explanation of the situation.

We understand that sometimes issues arise in a group setting. While we do not want these to interfere with the learning process, we do want our tutors and tutees to take steps to resolve the issues on their own (when possible) before contacting Tutoring Services.

Follow these three steps:

  1. Communicate with the other person and address the issue(s).
  2. If the issue cannot be resolved through communication, contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu or 515-294-6624 to discuss your situation.
  3. Submit a request to change groups through your tutoring profile with a detailed explanation of the situation.

We understand that sometimes issues arise in a group setting. While we do not want these to interfere with the learning process, we do want our tutors and tutees to take steps to resolve the issues on their own (when possible) before contacting Tutoring Services.

Follow these three steps:

  1. Communicate with the other person and address the issue(s).
  2. If the issue cannot be resolved through communication, contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu or 515-294-6624 to discuss your situation.
  3. Submit a request to change groups through your tutoring profile with a detailed explanation of the situation.

We understand that sometimes issues arise in a group setting. While we do not want these to interfere with the learning process, we do want our tutors and tutees to take steps to resolve the issues on their own (when possible) before contacting Tutoring Services.

Follow these three steps:

  1. Communicate with the other person and address the issue(s).
  2. If the issue cannot be resolved through communication, contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu or 515-294-6624 to discuss your situation.
  3. Submit a request to change groups through your tutoring profile with a detailed explanation of the situation.

We understand that sometimes issues arise in a group setting. While we do not want these to interfere with the learning process, we do want our tutors and tutees to take steps to resolve the issues on their own (when possible) before contacting Tutoring Services. Follow these three steps:

  1. Communicate with the other person and address the issue(s).
  2. If the issue cannot be resolved through communication, contact Tutoring Services at tutorsrv@iastate.edu or 515-294-6624 to discuss your situation.
  3. Submit a request to change groups through your tutoring profile with a detailed explanation of the situation.

Contact the ASC by phone (515-294-6624) or email (tutorsrv@iastate.edu). You can also withdraw from your tutoring group on your tutoring profile.

Contact the Tutoring Services by phone (515-294-6624) or email (tutorsrv@iastate.edu).  ASC staff members are generally knowledgeable about campus resources. If we cannot help you, we can probably refer you to someone who can. As part of the Dean of Students Office, our goal is to help you to make the most of your Iowa State experience!

Meeting new tutors and learning how passionate they are about their job provides me with a lot of motivation.

Kashish Phulwani, Tutor Mentor at the ASC

Common questions about becoming a tutor

Tutor applications are open through April 28, 2023 for Fall 2023, and we welcome undergraduate students from all majors to apply. Tutors are paid $15/hr.

Tutors:

  • Serve as a group facilitator, not a second lecturer
  • Set goals and/or expectations during the first two sessions
  • Provide support for content and concept understanding not direct answers to anything graded (homework, projects, quizzes, etc.)
  • Help tutee(s) learn how to learn the material
  • Help tutee(s) refine study skills and become independent learners
  • Treat others with respect and understanding
  • Give tutees honest feedback about their academic performance
  • Be punctual, reliable, and accurate in keeping records
  • Maintain a friendly but professional relationship

To see if we are hiring currently, please visit the ASC hiring page

  • Serve as a group facilitator, not a second lecturer
  • Set goals and/or expectations during the first two sessions
  • Provide support for content and concept understanding not direct answers to anything graded (homework, projects, quizzes, etc.)
  • Help tutee(s) learn how to learn the material
  • Help tutee(s) refine study skills and become independent learners
  • Treat others with respect and understanding
  • Give tutees honest feedback about their academic performance
  • Be punctual, reliable, and accurate in keeping records
  • Maintain a friendly but professional relationship
  • Serve as a group facilitator, not a second lecturer
  • Set goals and/or expectations during the first two sessions
  • Provide support for content and concept understanding not direct answers to anything graded (homework, projects, quizzes, etc.)
  • Help tutee(s) learn how to learn the material
  • Help tutee(s) refine study skills and become independent learners
  • Treat others with respect and understanding
  • Give tutees honest feedback about their academic performance
  • Be punctual, reliable, and accurate in keeping records
  • Maintain a friendly but professional relations
  • Serve as a group facilitator, not a second lecturer
  • Set goals and/or expectations during the first two sessions
  • Provide support for content and concept understanding not direct answers to anything graded (homework, projects, quizzes, etc.)
  • Help tutee(s) learn how to learn the material
  • Help tutee(s) refine study skills and become independent learners
  • Treat others with respect and understanding
  • Give tutees honest feedback about their academic performance
  • Be punctual, reliable, and accurate in keeping records
  • Maintain a friendly but professional relationship

We cannot hire graduate students. Our tutors are paid hourly and the Graduate College does not allow hourly pay for graduate students. Our tutoring model is to encourage peer-to-peer learning from students who have taken the course here at Iowa State.

  • Be enrolled as an Iowa State University undergraduate student
  • Complete at least one (1) semester at Iowa State University
  • Have an ISU cumulative GPA of 2.50
  • Earn a grade of B or higher in course(s) you want to tutor taken here at Iowa State
  • Tutors are not expected to replace class instruction, they should lead active learning strategies
  • Tutors can work flexible schedules but must commit at least 4 hours as a new tutor and 6 hours as a returning tutor per week and work the entire semester
  • Tutors earn $15 an hour and have opportunities for training and professional and personal growth