Appointments and Funding
Detailed information about funding your graduate education can be found in the Graduate College Handbook
Q: How do I apply for funding?
A: Research assistantships are offered by individual faculty members. You should contact faculty in your area of interest to inquire about research assistantships.
Teaching assistantships are assigned through your advisor. Requests for teaching assistantships are recorded but there is no guarantee that one will be given to you. Please note that the department does not offer teaching assistantships to MS non-thesis or MEng students.
Announcements for fellowship opportunities are usually sent to graduate students via email. You should visit the Fellowship Office website to learn about other opportunities.
You can learn more about funding opportunities within the department here: Graduate Funding, Fees and Fellowships
In addition you may want to consider the other employment opportunities:
- the Office of Financial Aid
- the University of Illinois Research Park
- other departments on campus
- the Graduate College assistantship clearinghouse, and
- the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Q: Does my appointment provide a tuition and fee waiver?
A: Assistantships which are 25% to 67% provide a tuition and fee waiver.
International students may not work more than 50% (20 hours per week) when school is in session.
Q: What does the tuition and fee waiver cover?
- Tuition
- Service Fee
- $130 per semester of the Health Insurance Fee
- Health Service Fee
- AFMFA Fee
- Library Fee
Q: Who do I contact for questions about deductions and taxes?
A: Please contact the Payroll Office at 265-6363 or payinq@uillinois.edu. You can also visit their office at 100A North Henry Administration Building, 506 S. Wright Street.
Q: Do I have to be registered in order to hold an assistantship?
A: You must be registered during the academic year in order to hold an assistantship. The department does not require students to register in the summer. However, you should check with your advisor before deciding not to register. Also, international students must be registered during the summer if it is their first or last semester on campus. Students who are not registered during the summer will be assessed additional taxes (~7.5%) for old age and Medicare.
Q: I did not receive my check/I think the payment is incorrect.
A: Please contact the Aerospace Graduate Office if you do not receive a check or if there seems to be a problem with the payment. Offer letters are emailed to all students who will hold assistantships. If you are expecting an assistantship but do not receive an offer letter, please contact ae-grad@illinois.edu.