Financial Support

While the number of applicants to our programs exceeds the amount of funding available, we do offer several opportunities for students to gain funding.

PhD Funding

All Grainger College of Engineering PhD students are guaranteed a tuition and partial-fee waiving appointment (at least 25%) for 5 years (10 semesters). Please make sure you view the Grainger policy regarding the details. For more information on what is covered by the tuition and partial-fee waiver, please visit the Graduate College Handbook (Chapter 7, Section 7.4).

Limit of Funding

Per the Grainger College of Engineering – 

“Per Graduate College policy (See Chapter 8.2-- "Concurrent Awards"), graduate students are prohibited from holding two major awards concurrently (fellowship, traineeship, grant, tuition payment award or comparable support from any government agency, state, federal or foreign, or from any foundation, corporation or similar organization). Unless otherwise restricted by campus policy or the granting agency or unit, graduate students on fellowships may, at the discretion of their department and with the prior approval of the Graduate College, carry an assistantship or graduate hourly appointment of up to 50 percent time. The Graduate College Fellowship Office determines whether two specific awards may be held concurrently and whether an assistantship or hourly appointment may be held concurrently with a fellowship.

Beginning AY 2022/2023, it is the policy of The Grainger College of Engineering that the cumulative funding amount from UIUC-generated fellowship and/or assistantship appointments from the college or units within the college extended to graduate students in the college may not exceed the current UIUC 12-month minimum annual stipend provided to post-doctoral research associates*. Within the limits set by campus and by external, non-UIUC funding sources, the college places no maximum on the cumulative total award amounts from external, non-UIUC sources combined with UIUC-provided fellowships and appointments."

Assistantships

Types of Assistantships

There are several types of assistantships that a graduate student can be hired as. You can find a description of each type of assistantships on the UIUC Human Resources page. 

Teaching Assistantships

ISE hires students as teaching assistants for both the fall and spring semesters. The application period for each semester is as follows:

• • April 1 - May 1 for Fall 
  • September 15 - November 1 for Spring

You can apply through the TA Preference Form. If you are an ISE graduate student, you should also fill out the Planning Form so we have an idea of the type of support you are hoping to receive during the semester you are applying to be a TA. 

Being a TA requires the English Proficiency Interview (EPI) if certain conditions, including TOEFL or IELTS scores, do not meet the threshold. For this reason, we suggest you look into these requirements as early as possible. 

If you are chosen to be a TA, you will be informed via email with your course assignment.

Research Assistantships

ISE faculty members routinely hire students to conduct research as research assistants through the entire academic year. It is important to reach out to faculty to inquire about the possibility of a research assistantship. You can view the ISE Research page to explore the faculty members that work in our varying disciplines. If a faculty member agrees to hire you, they will work with Engineering Human Resources to process your assistantship appointment.

Graduate Assistantships

These are primarily to support administrative functions. These include technical/support services, advising, etc. 

Policies Regarding Assistantships

The Graduate College has several policies as they relate to assistantships, including stipends, tuition waivers, and more. Please visit the Graduate College Assistantship page for more information.

Monthly stipend amounts in ISE are determined based on your academic background – pre-MS, post-MS, completion of preliminary exams. 

Tuition & Partial-Fee Waivers

Holding an assistantship of 25-67% for at least 91 days in the fall or spring term (41 days in the summer term) will result in a tuition and partial-fee waiver for each term you hold the appointment. Please note that international students can hold up to a 50% appointment in the fall or spring terms. The waiver covers service, Library Technology Fees, AFMFA and health services including vision insurance, dental insurance and partial payment of the health insurance fee. Students are responsible for paying other assessed fees. 

*During the summer term, students can hold up to a 100% appointment (both domestic & international). If a tuition and partial-fee waiver is needed during the summer term, students must be on a 25-67% appointment. Anything over 67% will not be eligible for the tuition and partial-fee waiver. 

You can find more about the % and length requirements in the Graduate College handbook (Chapter 7, section 7.4). Be sure that you do not go over the limit of funding during the academic year – see the Limit of Funding section above.

Graduate Assistantship Clearinghouse

Please visit the ISE Financial support page for a link to the Graduate College Assistantship Clearinghouse, which contains a list of assistantships available across the University. 

Fellowships

Fellowships are financial aid awards that provide a stipend with no expectation of service in return. We offer many fellowships to primarily incoming students. In addition, there are opportunities to receive departmental, College, or University fellowships throughout your academic career. You can visit the ISE Financial Support page for more information. 

Tuition & Partial-Fee Waivers

Holding a fellowship for at least $5,000 during the spring or fall (or $10,000 across both terms) will result in a tuition and partial-fee waiver for each term you hold the fellowship.

You can find more information about the minimums required in the Graduate College handbook (Chapter 7, section 7.4). Be sure that you do not go over the limit of funding during the academic year – see the Limit of Funding section above.