Financial Assistance

Check with your proposed program of study office for any specific application deadlines to be considered for financial assistance in addition to admission. Your proposed program of study web site can also provide you with additional information about how to indicate your request for financial assistance in your online application.

Below are the primary types of financial assistance available to graduate students at Illinois:

  • Fellowships: Information on fellowships is available from the Fellowship Office at the Graduate College.
     
  • Assistantships: Assistants enrolled in most graduate programs receive a waiver of full tuition and the service fee, provided the appointment is for not less than one-quarter time and not more than two-thirds time, and if the assistant is on appointment for at least three-quarters (91 days) of the term. Details about tuition waivers are available from the Guide to the Tuition Waiver Policy. Note that non-native speakers of English applying for a teaching assistantship should review the specific English Proficiency requirements for teaching assistants.
     
  • Tuition and Service Fee Waivers: These awards waive payment of tuition and partial fees. For deadlines and applications, please contact your program of study office. For University-funded fellowships, assistantships, and tuition waivers, there are no restrictions on citizenship, age, sex, ethnic or national origin, marital status, or disability. Certain non-University-funded fellowships and assistantships may have restrictions. Before you apply for such an award, consult the office of your proposed program of study for both the types of financial aid available and the financial aid deadline.
     
  • Loans (for Domestic Applicants only): For information about loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Note that self-supporting and cost recovery programs may not offer these financial aid options. See a list of these programs. This list may not be complete; it is important to check with your department to find out which financial aid options are available.