Financial Support for Graduate Students
There are several types of financial support for graduate students regularly administered through the Graduate School, and to remain eligible for assistance under federal, state and institutional programs, students must maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion and satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School’s retention policy.
Eligibility for most federal and state student aid programs requires that a graduate student be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; be admitted to a graduate degree program in classified status; be enrolled for at least 5 semester hours each term; maintain satisfactory academic progress; owe no refund on federal grants and have no current default on federal student loans. In addition, male students between the ages of 18 and 25 must be registered with Selective Service if not currently serving in the Armed Forces. Since most international students do not meet citizenship requirements for aid programs, these students should contact the Office of International Affairs for additional information.
Graduate students applying for aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 each year so that aid can be credited on the first fall semester bill in July.
Loans
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan program. Guaranteed unsubsidized federal student loans are available to graduate students to assist with educational costs. Students must complete and submit a FAFSA application to be eligible for student loans. For more information about loans at SIUE, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships at the master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels are available in a number of academic, service, and research units. Current assistantship postings as well as responsibilities of graduate assistants can be found on the Graduate School's website.
Competitive Graduate Awards (CGA)
Applicants must be new graduate students, accepted in a master’s degree program. Learn more about CGA.
Graduate Scholar Award (GSA)
The GSA award provides a tuition waiver for qualified students from under-represented groups. Learn more about GSA.
Student Employment
Part-time student employment is available at SIUE under both the regular student employment program and the Federal Work Study program. SIUE also assists students in finding off-campus employment through the Job Locator and Development Program.
The Federal Work Study Program is designed to assist qualifying students in securing employment and helping to defray costs. These students are awarded federal funds that pay some of their wages, and the unit in which they work pays the remainder. Federal Work Study eligibility is awarded as part of the total aid package; students must also indicate on their FAFSA they are interested in Work Study.
Veterans’ Educational Benefits
Veterans applying for benefits can obtain necessary forms from the Veterans’ Administration or through Veteran Services. Applicants must supply a copy of the Veterans’ DD 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces) and certified proof of any dependents. The marriage certificate and/or birth certificates of children will meet this requirement. The enrollment certification will be completed by the Veterans’ Certification Section and forwarded to the Veterans’ Administration Regional Office. Benefits are determined by the length of active duty in service, number of dependents, enrollment status, incentives awarded by the branch of military service in which the veteran served, and other factors. Since benefits for nontraditional courses may vary, students enrolling in courses that meet in nontraditional formats should contact the Veterans’ Certification Section for specific information.
Veterans who qualify for the Illinois Veterans’ Grant (IVG), which covers tuition, mandatory fees, application, and graduation fee, may use it concurrently with the Veterans’ Administration benefits. The IVG is processed through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), which will send qualifying veterans a Notice of Eligibility.
Veterans must be enrolled in a degree program and making satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for VA benefits. No benefits are received for grades of W, WP, WR, and AU; however, graduate students may receive benefits for a deferred grade (DE) in a thesis or research course.
Diversifying Faculty in Illinois (DFI)
The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) program administered through the Illinois Board of Higher Education, provides awards of up to $14,000 for a full-time graduate student. The Award is renewable for one year for master’s students and up to three years for doctoral students, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. An applicant must be an Illinois resident, from an underrepresented group (African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, Native American or Alaskan Native), above average academic ability, and must demonstrate financial need to be considered for this award. An award recipient must agree to actively seek and accept when offered a teaching or non-teaching full-time appointment at an Illinois post-secondary educational institution or at a state office, equal to the number of years for which he or she receives the DFI fellowship.
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is a free resource to students in Illinois that helps to navigate the challenges of attending college.
