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Assistantships and Other Financial Support
The Department of Animal Sciences offers a limited number of graduate fellowships, graduate assistantships, and tuition and fee waivers. Financial aid may be requested on the application form for admission to graduate study in the Department of Animal Sciences. To receive full consideration for financial aid, be sure that all components of the application are received by February 15 for fall semester admission. Additional information on financial support is available from the Graduate College at (http://www.grad.uiuc.edu/general/financeGC.html) or from the Office of Student Financial Aid, 620 E John St. at (http://www.finaid.uiuc.edu/).
Continuing students may apply for financial aid by writing the Head of Department. Such an application should include a current resume that includes scholastic, research and other relevant accomplishments during graduate study. A student may contact faculty members in the Department of Animal Sciences to learn of opportunities for research or teaching appointments.
Graduate assistantship appointments are initiated by the Department. The terms of appointment differ, depending on the nature of the responsibilities and student qualifications.
Fellowships
Fellowships provide monetary stipends and, in most cases, exemptions from tuition and at least some student fees. Fellowship holders are encouraged to be involved with research and teaching in the Department. Fellowship holders may, with approval, accept an additional part-time teaching or research assistantship with an additional stipend, but must register for the equivalent of at least three units of graduate credit.
Assistantships
Assistantships offer employment in research or teaching. An assistantship appointment of one-quarter to two-thirds time for 91 days or more during a semester exempts the student from tuition and some student fees for that semester, as well as providing a stipend. In addition, your tuition and a portion of your service fees are waived as an educational assistance benefit. Assistantship stipend rates are set annually before the fall semester. Graduate assistantships are renewable, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress, satisfactory discharge of duties associated with the appointment and availability of funds. Assigned activities need not relate to the student's thesis research.
Obligations and Vacations for Students on Assistantships.
Research and teaching responsibilities are assigned by academic advisors or faculty supervisors. Assistantships are based on 12 months of employment. Time commitments are based on a work week of 40 hours. Thus, a one-half time (50%) appointment requires 20 hours per week, on average, in research or teaching activities assigned by a faculty supervisor. Students on assistantship are entitled to Official University Holidays. Semester, spring and similar breaks from scheduled classes are not official holidays and require use of previously earned vacation days. Twenty-four days of vacation are earned each year (two days per month) for 12 month appointments. All vacation earned during a year must be used during that period. Vacation time cannot be carried forward into a new appointment year nor will it be compensated upon resignation of your appointment.
Scholarships
Scholarships for graduate students enrolled in Animal Sciences are made available through support of alumni and friends of the department.
Sean Murray Memorial Scholarship
Tuition and Fee Waivers
Tuition and Fee Waivers exempt the student from tuition and some student fees, and require that the student register for at least three units. The student may accept part-time employment. Few tuition and fee waivers are available through the Department.
Part-Time Hourly Employment
Part-time hourly employment in the Department carries an hourly stipend and does not qualify the student for a waiver of tuition and student fees.
Student Loans
Student loan information and information on other financial resources are available through the Student Loan Office, 620 East John St. or at (http: //www.odos.uiuc.edu/osfa/).