Fellowship Office
209 Coble Hall, gradfellowships@uiuc.edu, (217) 333-0036
Current Fellows and Trainees
Congratulations on receiving a fellowship or traineeship for your study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign! The links below should assist you with questions about the benefits and obligations associated with the award. If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate College Fellowship Office at 204 Coble Hall, gradfellowships@uiuc.edu, or (217) 333-0036.
Definitions
A fellowship is defined as an award providing a living allowance demanding no services in return. A traineeship is a research fellowship that is awarded to provide educational training in a particular disciplinary area.
Campus Fellowship Policies
The policies related to holding a fellowship or traineeship are outlined in the Graduate College Handbook at www.grad.uiuc.edu/gradhandbook/chapterVIII/section02.asp.
Full-time Enrollment
Fellows and Trainees must remember to register for a full courseload during each term of their fellowship. Full-time status is defined as 12 hours for spring and fall semesters and 4 hours in an 8-week course during summer. Failure to enroll full-time while holding a fellowship or traineeship appointment may result in termination of the appointment.
Concurrent Appointments
Fellows 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). Any award offer should be reported immediately to the Graduate College Fellowship Office, where the determination will be made whether the two awards may be held concurrently.
Unless otherwise restricted by the granting agency or unit, all fellows may at the discretion of their department and the Graduate College carry additional appointments as graduate hourlys or assistants of up to 50 percent time, providing they conform to the minimum registration requirements of twelve hours. Questions about concurrent appointments should be directed to both the department and the Graduate College Fellowship Office.
Tuition Waiver Policy
A fellowship providing at least $3,000 per semester always includes a full waiver (or payment by the funding agency) of all tuition assessed, regardless of whether the student's program is base-rate or full for assistantship waiver purposes. This applies to fellowships originating on- and off-campus. Students in the College of Medicine, except those in the Medical Scholars Program, must obtain written approval from the College of Medicine before accepting a fellowship, and subsequent tuition waiver, controlled by another campus or university unit. In cases of dispute the Graduate College decides whether an award is a fellowship. Tuition waiver income lost due to fellowships is not reimbursable.
A traineeship covers full tuition, may cover all non-refundable fees, and provides a stipend for living expenses. In cases of dispute the Graduate College decides whether an award is a traineeship. Tuition waiver income lost due to traineeships is not reimbursable. Students in the College of Medicine, except those in the Medical Scholars Program, must obtain written approval from the College of Medicine before accepting a traineeship, and subsequent tuition waiver, controlled by another campus or university unit.
Students on fellowships and traineeships will also receive a waiver of the service fee, health service fee, Library/Technology fee, and AFMFA fee, partial payment of the health insurance fee, and vision and dental insurance, regardless of the fellow's academic program. For more details see the Tuition Waiver Policy in its entirety.
Financial Aid information
Students with fellowships who apply for direct loans will have their eligibility reduced by the amount of the fellowship. Traineeships are not counted when eligibility for direct loans is calculated for graduate students. If you have questions about fellowships and financial aid eligibility, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid, 620 E. John Street. Walk-in financial aid counseling is available there Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tax Information
Fellowship and traineeship stipends may be subject to income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has ruled that universities are not responsible for withholding or reporting income taxes on fellowship payments for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that universities withhold taxes from the fellowship payments of international students on temporary visas. All Fellows and Trainees should be aware of the laws regarding reporting of fellowship and traineeship stipends.
Graduation for Fellows and Trainees
When preparing to graduate, Fellows and Trainees should contact the Fellowship Office before depositing their thesis or dissertation, as that event may trigger the end of those appointments.
