EIU Graduate School

EIU Tuition and Fee Waiver Programs

Tuition and fee waivers are agreements between students and the university to reduce or eliminate tuition and/or fees. At all Illinois public universities, these waivers fall into two categories: mandatory and discretionary. Mandatory waivers are required by law and awarded to students who meet specific criteria. Discretionary waivers, such as those for talented or international students and faculty/staff, are granted at the University’s discretion and may also be guided by state regulations. While mandatory waivers are managed by external agencies in collaboration with EIU’s Office of Financial Aid, discretionary waivers are administered by designated university offices under the guidance of the Graduate School.

At EIU, the Graduate School oversees all waiver programs by ensuring offices with the authority to administer waivers follow the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) guidelines. This oversight includes preparing an annual waiver budget, coordinating reporting to the Board of Trustees, and maintaining the official list of waiver programs below (detailed by IBHE guideline reference number.). For information on each waiver’s purpose, eligibility, application process, selection criteria, and deadlines, please see IGP # 73 Tuition and Fee Waivers or contact the designated person listed for that waiver.

Mandatory Waiver Programs

1.1   Teachers Scholarships:   Special Education Grants

• Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) https://www.isac.org/800.899.ISAC (4722), schoolservices@ISAC.org
• EIU Financial Aid, Amanda Starwalt, Director, 217-581-7509, ajstarwalt@eiu.edu

1.3   Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC)

• Mr. Todd Baughman (Maj. Ret.)  217-581-4321, rtbaughman@eiu.edu

1.4   Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)      

• Kim Peck, Downstate Education and Transition Services Administrator, 217-557-2689, kim.peck@illinois.gov

1.5   Children of Illinois University Employees (Partial)             

• EIU Benefits, 217-581-5825, benefits@eiu.edu or,
• EIU Financial Aid, 217-581-5825, finaid@eiu.edu

1.6   Senior Citizens               

• EIU Financial Aid, Amanda Starwalt, Director, 217-581-7509, ajstarwalt@eiu.edu

1.6    Veterans, MIA-POW, National Guard             

• EIU Financial Aid, Amanda Starwalt, Director, 217-581-7509, ajstarwalt@eiu.edu

1.7    Honorary (Children of Veterans)  Available at the UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ONLY

Discretionary Waivers: Faculty and Staff

2.1.1 Faculty/Administrators

• EIU Benefits, 217-581-5825, benefits@eiu.edu or,
• EIU Financial Aid, 217-581-5825, finaid@eiu.edu

2.1.2 Civil Service Staff/EIU Employees

• EIU Benefits, 217-581-5825, benefits@eiu.edu or,
• EIU Financial Aid, 217-581-5825, finaid@eiu.edu

2.1.3 Civil Service Staff/Interinstitutional/Related Agencies

• EIU Benefits, 217-581-5825, benefits@eiu.edu or,
• EIU Financial Aid, 217-581-5825, finaid@eiu.edu

2.1.4 Retired University Employees

• EIU Benefits, 217-581-5825, benefits@eiu.edu or,
• EIU Financial Aid, 217-581-5825, finaid@eiu.edu

2.1.5 Children of Deceased Employees

• Cindy Hutchinson, Office Administrator, Office of the President
  217-581-2012, cmhutchison@eiu.edu

2.1.6 Children of Employees (EIU DOES NOT PARTICIPATE)

Discretionary Waivers: Student Talent/Merit

2.2.1 Academic or Other Talented Student

• EIU Financial Aid:  Amanda Starwalt, Director, 217-581-7509, ajstarwalt@eiu.edu
• Individual Programs:
  • Art: Chris Kahler, Chair, 217-581-3410, cbkahler@eiu.edu
  • Honors Program: Dr. Richard England, Dean, Pine Honors College, 217-581-2017, rengland@eiu.edu
  • Journalism: Dr. Matthew Gill, Chair, 217-581-6306, mjgill@eiu.edu
  • Music: Dr. Shellie Gregorich, Chair, 217-581-3010, slgregorich@eiu.edu
  • Communication Studies: Dr. Matthew Gill, Chair, 217-581-6306, mjgill@eiu.edu
  • Student Leadership: Ceci Brinker, Director, Student Life Office, 217-581-3829, cbrinker@eiu.edu
  • Theatre Arts: NO ACTIVE PROGRAM AT THIS TIME

2.2.2 Athletic Talented Student

• Dwight Rutledge, Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance, 217-581-6992, dvrutledge@eiu.edu 

2.2.3 Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics

• Dwight Rutledge, Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance, 217-581-6992, dvrutledge@eiu.edu 

2.2.4 Foreign Exchange Students

• Mutombo "Andy" Kabesele, Assistant Dean, Office of International Students and Scholars, 217-581-2321, makabasele@eiu.edu

2.2.5 Out-of-State (EIU DOES NOT PARTICIPATE)

2.2.6 Foreign Students (International)

• Tyler M. Custer, International Admissions Counselor, 217-581-2321, tmcuster@eiu.edu 

2.2.7 Fellowships (EIU DOES NOT PARTICIPATE)

2.3.1 Financial Aid

• EIU Financial Aid:  Amanda Starwalt, Director, 217-581-7509, ajstarwalt@eiu.edu

2.3.2 Special Program/ Panther Promise

• EIU Financial Aid:  Amanda Starwalt, Director, 217-581-7509, ajstarwalt@eiu.edu

2.4.1 Cooperating Professionals

• Dr. Laretta Henderson, Dean, College of Education, 217-581-2200, lhenderson2@eiu.edu

         Internships

• Brad Green, Assistant to the Dean, College of Education, 217-581-2524, bjgreen@eiu.edu 

2.4.2 Research Assistants

• Melanee Bates, Graduate School Certification Officer, 217-581-7490, mbates@eiu.edu

2.4.3 Teaching Assistants

• Melanee Bates, Graduate School Certification Officer, 217-581-7490, mbates@eiu.edu

2.4.4 Other Assistants

• Melanee Bates, Graduate School Certification Officer, 217-581-7490, mbates@eiu.edu

2.4.5 Contract/Training Grants

• Angela Jacobs, Director, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, 217-581-2125, asjacobs@eiu.edu

2.4.5 Contract/Training Grants: National Writing Center

• Angela Jacobs, Director, Office of Research & Sponsored Programs, 217-581-2125, asjacobs@eiu.edu