Financial Support for Graduate Students

responsibility for conduct compatible with the learning environment of the University. Students are expected to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code and the Student Academic Code. These documents describe the University s expectations for student social and academic conduct, the process utilized for adjudicating alleged violations, and sanctions that may be imposed for violation of the standards.

Violence Prevention

The Illinois General Assembly has recently adopted new statutory requirements affecting all institutions of higher education in the State of Illinois relating to campus violence prevention. Specifically, the Illinois Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008 mandates all institutions of higher education to create a campus violence prevention plan and training program. In response to this statutory mandate, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ( University ) has developed a campus violence prevention plan which sets forth violence prevention strategies, measures, policies and programs for the purpose of preventing violence and enhancing safety on campus. This plan incorporates the statutory requirements which include the plan itself, the formation of a violence prevention committee and training/notification procedures for the campus community.

There are several types of financial support for graduate students regularly administered through the Graduate School, and to remain eligible for assistance under federal, state and institutional programs, students must maintain satisfactory progress toward degree completion and satisfy the requirements of the Graduate School s retention policy.

Eligibility for most federal and state student aid programs requires that a graduate student be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; be admitted to a graduate degree program in classified status; be enrolled for at least 5 semester hours each term; maintain satisfactory academic progress; owe no refund on federal grants and have no current default on federal student loans. In addition, male students between the ages of 18 and 25 must be registered with Selective Service if not currently serving in the Armed Forces. Since most international students do not meet citizenship requirements for aid programs, these students should contact the Office of International Affairs for additional information.

Graduate students applying for aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 each year so that aid can be credited on the first fall semester bill in July.

Loans

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville participates in the William D. Ford Direct Loan program. Guaranteed unsubsidized federal student loans are available to graduate students to assist with educational costs. Students must complete and submit a FAFSA application to be eligible for student loans. For more information about loans at SIUE, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships at the master s, specialist, and doctoral levels are available in a number of academic, service, and research units. Current assistantship postings as well as responsibilities of graduate assistants can be found on the Graduate School's website. Applicants must be new graduate students, accepted in a master s degree program. Learn more about CGA.

Graduate Scholar Award (GSA)

The GSA award provides a tuition waiver for qualified students from under-represented groups. Learn more about GSA.

Student Employment

Part-time student employment is available at SIUE under both the regular student employment program and the Federal Work Study program. SIUE also assists students in finding off-campus employment through the Job Locator and Development Program.

The Federal Work Study Program is designed to assist qualifying students in securing employment and helping to defray costs. These students are awarded federal funds that pay some of their wages, and the unit in which they work pays the remainder. Federal Work Study eligibility is awarded as part of the total aid package; students must also indicate on their FAFSA they are interested in Work Study.

Veterans Educational Bene ts

Veterans applying for benefits can obtain necessary forms from the Veterans Administration or through Veteran Services. Applicants must supply a copy of the Veterans DD 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces) and certified proof of any dependents. The marriage certificate and/or birth certificates of children will meet this requirement. The enrollment certification will be completed by the Veterans Certification Section and forwarded to the Veterans Administration Regional Office. Benefits are determined by the length of active duty in service, number of dependents, enrollment status, incentives awarded by the branch of military service in which the veteran served, and other factors. Since benefits for nontraditional courses may vary, students enrolling in courses that meet in nontraditional formats should contact the Veterans Certification Section for specific information.

Veterans who qualify for the Illinois Veterans Grant