State Scholarships/Grants for Undergraduate AND Graduate Students
Financial Aid

ITEACH Scholarship

This scholarship opportunity is offered to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half time in teacher shortage disciplines. Eligible students must complete a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and a separate application provided by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

The ITEACH Scholarship awards up to $5000 per academic year for a maximum of eight semesters. A student must sign an agreement promising to begin teaching within one year at a nonprofit Illinois public, private or parochial preschool, elementary or secondary school at which no less than 30% of the enrolled students are minority students, as certified by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The recipient shall teach one year for each year of scholarship assistance received and shall teach on a continuous basis for the required period of time. If the teaching obligation is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan at a 5% interest rate and the entire amount received, prorated to the fraction of the teaching obligation not completed, must be repaid.

Click here to download the application

Minority Teachers Scholarship (MTI)

This scholarship opportunity is offered to academically talented minority undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing teaching career in nonprofit Illinois preschools, elementary and secondary schools. This program aims to provide minority children with access to a greater number of positive minority role models.

Eligible students must complete a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and a separate application provided by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Recipients must maintain halftime enrollment. This scholarship awards up to $5,000 per academic year for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters of assistance. A student must sign an agreement promising to begin teaching within one year at a nonprofit Illinois public, private or parochial preschool, elementary or secondary school at which no less than 30% of the enrolled students are minority students, as certified by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The recipient shall teach one year for each year of scholarship assistance received and shall teach on a continuous basis for the required period of time. If the teaching obligation is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan at a 5% interest rate and the entire amount received, prorated to the fraction of the teaching obligation not completed, must be repaid.

Click here to download the application

Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI)

The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program (DFI) provides financial assistance, based on demonstrated need, for members of traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue and complete graduate degrees at Illinois institutions of higher education. DFI is a program for graduate students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, who have received high school diplomas or post-secondary degrees from educational institutions in Illinois or who have three or more years of residency in Illinois and are citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants compete in a state-wide competition for DFI awards at over thirty Illinois institutions of higher learning.

Selection of award recipients in this rigorous competition is based on a comprehensive rewiew of the application materials. All academic fields will be considered for this award, though the DFI Program Board may establish priorities. Stipend levels are currently subject to change, but are projected to fall between $12,500 and $17,500 for full-time enrollment. Full time enrollment is required while on fellowship. The award is renewable for one year for master's students and up to three years for doctoral students, contingent upon the recipient making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the degree.

In addition to the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), applicants must also complete an DFI application available on the DFI website.

Click here for the DFI website

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