Graduate Funding
We want to guide you toward the resources you need to complete your degree. We offer a variety of funding opportunities in the form of departmental support and assistantships, as well as scholarships and fellowships.
Graduate funding:
hear from our graduate students
Grainger Engineering graduate students talk about the funding and other support they have received for their teaching and research, and the low cost of living they enjoy in the Champaign-Urbana community
Grainger Engineering Five-Year Ph.D. Funding Guarantee
Grainger Engineering Ph.D. students in their first five years of enrollment are guaranteed a funded appointment for fall and spring that includes a full tuition waiver, a partial fee waiver, and a stipend. Students are also eligible for summer support. Students must remain in Good Academic Standing and successfully perform the duties of their assistantships.
Assistantships
Research and teaching assistantships offer eligible students valuable experience in their fields of study, while accompanying stipends and tuition waivers help offset the costs of obtaining a graduate degree. As a student, you may be presented with assistantship offers upon admission, or at a later date.
Fellowships & Scholarships
Grainger Engineering and the Graduate College offer fellowships, travel grants, and other types of funding, as well as support for writing funding applications. To help you locate funding sources, the Fellowship Finder database contains information on over 1,100 graduate-level grants and fellowships. If you are seeking a fellowship that's appropriate for you, this is the best place to start.
Major Grainger Engineering Fellowships
Carver Fellowship
The Carver Fellowship is for incoming master's and doctoral students who have exhibited exceptional potential for academic success. It is a one-year, $34,000 fellowship (fall, spring, and summer terms) that includes a tuition waiver.
Office of Student Financial Aid
The campus Office of Student Financial Aid offers resources for calculating the cost of your educational program. OSFA provides information about many sources of graduate student aid including grants, waivers, and loans, as well as links to employment opportunities and other aid programs offered by the University.
Calculate Your Cost
Get a personalized estimate of your tuition and fees based on your location and program of study
Big-time amenities. Low cost of living.
The twin cities of Champaign-Urbana offer a robust tech ecosystem, a diverse community that’s rich in arts and culture, and a cost of living that's more than 10 percent below the national average (according to Forbes).
- Champaign ranked #7 on “Best Affordable College Towns for Recent Grads—and Everyone Else” list, May 2018 (Realtor)
- 4th best county in Illinois for young professionals (Niche.com)
- 6th most diverse county in Illinois (Niche.com)
Watch: Five Reasons Champaign Urbana Is A Great Place To Live