College of Education
Graduate Students CoE Graduate Handbook Financial Aid and Award Opportunities
CoE Graduate Handbook The College of Education Program Responsibility Registration Important Dates Student Status Student Assistance Advising Grievance Policy and Procedures Plagiarism & Copyright Policy Exceptions to Policies Master of Education Degree Master of Arts and Master of Science Degree Certificate of Advanced Study Degree Doctor of Education Degree Doctor of Philosophy Degree Graduate Minor Evaluation of Academic Progress Degree Certification Request Convocation Participation Licensure Financial Aid and Award Opportunities Resources Archived Handbooks

Financial Aid and Award Opportunities

Students are not guaranteed financial assistance during their period of study.

In addition to fellowships, assistantships, and tuition waivers offered by departments, other forms of financial aid and non-monetary recognition awards are available to graduate students in Education. Information on College of Education scholarships, fellowships, and awards for graduate students is available on the Financial Aid section of the website. Additional funding is available through the Graduate College.

Fellowships

Fellowships are awards that provide a stipend with no expectation of service in return. Most fellowships provide a waiver of the tuition, service fee, health service fee, Academic Facilities Maintenance Fund Assessment (AFMFA) fee, Library/Technology fee, and partial payment of the health insurance fee. Students may not hold more than one full fellowship during any given academic term.

Graduate Assistantships

Enrolled graduate students may be eligible for assistantships, which are available in departments and operating units both within and outside the College of Education. Graduate students and advisors should be guided by the Graduate College policy on graduate assistants.

Students should contact the department or unit to which they are applying for assistantship application requirements. Assistantships are work assignments for specified percentages of time, with duties determined by the hiring unit. Assistantship stipends are taxable.

Assistantships within the College of Education are commonly 25%-50% FTE. For a student to receive an appointment above 50%, the advisor and employing faculty or staff member must make a request justifying the additional time above 50% and stipulate that the additional work will not impede the student’s progress toward their degree. Requests for exception should be sent to the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs.

Assistantships between 25%-67% for at least three-quarters of the academic term provide a stipend, a waiver of the tuition, service fee, health service fee, Academic Facilities Maintenance Fund Assessment (AFMFA) fee, library/technology fee, and partial payment of the health insurance fee, and full payment by the University for the University vision insurance and dental insurance plans. Graduate assistants are responsible for paying all other assessed fees. Students holding an assistantship between 25%-67% during the spring semester are entitled to an automatic tuition waiver for the following summer session. Information on tuition waiver benefits for graduate assistants can be found in the  Tuition Waiver Policy section of the Graduate College Handbook.

Information on health plans can be found at the Student Health Insurance Office.

Stand-alone Tuition Waivers

A limited number of stand-alone tuition waivers are available on a competitive basis. The stand-alone waiver provides a full waiver of tuition, along with service fee, AFMFA fee, and library/technology fee. All other assessed fees are the students’ responsibility. Students should consult their academic department for specific application procedures and deadlines. Among the factors and evidence considered in the review of applications for tuition waivers are grade point average, academic progress, professional and academic experience, evidence of academic or professional distinction, and publications and scholarship.

Education Alumni Association Outstanding Student Medallion

The Education Alumni Association Outstanding Student Medallion (non-monetary award) is presented annually to a bachelor's graduate, a master's graduate, and a doctoral graduate at the College of Education Convocation. The recipients are recognized publicly at the bi-annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet in the spring, and also deliver the convocation address on behalf of their class. Their name is placed on a permanent plaque in the College of Education building. Criteria for selection include outstanding scholarship, service to the College of Education and campus, and potential leadership in the field of education. Nominations, due in mid-March, are solicited from faculty and staff. The Awards Committee of the Educational Alumni Association makes the final selection.

College of Education
1310 S. Sixth St.
Champaign, IL 61820-6925
Phone: 217-333-0960
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