Graduate College Policy
Guidelines for the Administration of University Fellowship Funds (Block Grant)
The Fellowship Board Block Grant competition held in the fall of 2010 determined unit allocations of University Fellowship funds for 2011-2014. These funds, allocated to departments as block grants of dollars, allow flexibility in assembling financial aid packages that attract and support the best graduate students. Units may either award fellowships as the sole support or fellowships concurrently with assistantships or other fellowships.
The Block Grant funds for each award year are to be utilized for the University Fellowship awards during the fiscal year with appointments beginning no earlier than July 16 and ending no later that June 15. Departments that make fellowship offers exceeding their allocations must assume financial responsibility for commitments in excess of the allocation. Departments should determine the award period using the standard fellowship award periods, found at www.grad.illinois.edu/policies/fellowship-dates.
Fellowships are to be administered in accordance with the fellowship policies outlined in the Graduate College Handbook at www.grad.illinois.edu/gradhandbook. Departmental decisions will govern University Fellowship appointments with the understanding that submissions will be subject to a brief administrative review in the Graduate College. The Graduate College, not the department, will send each Fellow a formal Notice of Fellowship Appointment. Vacancies created by declines of these fellowships may be filled at any time during the fiscal year.
Fellowships are awarded under the following terms:
- University Fellows must be degree-seeking graduate students in good academic standing. Students admitted on limited status due to GPA or current students on academic probation or dismissal status are not eligible.
- The University Fellowship must be sufficient to generate a waiver (minimum fellowship stipend amount sufficient to generate a waiver is listed below by academic year) or accompany a waiver-generating appointment (assistantship, fellowship or traineeship).
- Students receiving University Fellowships that meet the minimum stipend amounts will receive a full tuition waiver, regardless of their academic programs. This includes Fellows in academic programs whose students receive base-rate waivers with their assistantships. Fellows receive a full waiver of tuition, service fee, AFMFA fee, and Library/Technology fee, full payment of the health service fee, partial payment of the health insurance fee along with University-paid dental and vision coverage for each term of the fellowship. This means that the fellow is responsible for paying the balance of all other fees (such as general, transportation and refundable fees), unless departments elect to pay them from other funds.
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With a waiver-generating University Fellowship, a fellow may carry assistantship or hourly appointments of no more than 50% time, or 20 hours total with prior approval of the Graduate College Fellowship Office.
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Services are not required for University Fellowship holders, although services are required for any concurrent assistantships that they hold.
Related Links:
Procedures for the Administration of University Fellowship Funds
Block Grant Support Table (PDF)