UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2006 - 2007

Financial Assistance for ALL STUDENTS

The UIS Office of Financial Assistance coordinates federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs. 

Undergraduate students, except those entering UIS as first-time freshmen, must transfer at least 30 credit hours to UIS to be eligible for financial assistance. Students pursuing a master's degree or graduate certificate must have earned a bachelor's degree - doctoral students must have earned a master's degree - and proof of that degree must be on file with the Office of Admissions.

Assistance is available in the form of grants, tuition waivers, assistantships, scholarships, loans, part‑time employment, and veterans' benefits. Applications for all forms of assistance can be obtained from the Office of Financial Assistance unless otherwise specified.  Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible for all forms of assistance and it is recommended that the federal application (FAFSA) for the award year that begins each August be completed as soon as possible after January 1 each year.

For additional information, contact the Office of Financial Assistance by visiting UHB 1015, call (217) 206‑6724, or go to www.uis.edu/financialaid.

Veterans
The Office of Financial Assistance must certify military veterans for benefits (GI Bill, Illinois National Guard, Illinois Veterans Grant, MIA/POW, Vocational Rehabilitation). A Request for Benefits form must be filed with the UIS certifying official each term the student wants benefits to be processed.  Additional paperwork may be required depending on the type of benefit.  Contact the Office of Financial Assistance to find out about the documentation required for a specific benefit.

Student veterans must also notify the office of any change that affects the amount or disposition of benefits. These include changes in address, academic status (withdrawals, added classes, etc.), and number of dependents (through marriage, divorce, births, deaths, etc.). 

Illinois Veterans Grant
Students seeking this benefit must have been in active military service for at least one year unless discharged for medical reasons.  All discharges must be honorable. Students must have resided in Illinois within six months of entering the service and must return to Illinois within six months of leaving the service.

To apply, complete an application through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).  Application forms can be obtained from the Office of Financial Assistance or downloaded at www.collegezone.com.  Once ISAC has processed the application, students will be mailed an award letter certifying the amount of eligibility. This award letter must be submitted to the UIS Office of Financial Assistance prior to the end of the semester of enrollment. 

Illinois National Guard Grant
To apply for a National Guard Grant, the student must be on active-duty status and must have served in the Illinois National Guard for at least one year.  Applications for this grant may be obtained from the Office of Financial Assistance or from the unit of service, or download one at www.collegezone.com.  Applications are renewable each year and must be processed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).  ISAC must receive all applications by the following deadlines: fall semester - October 1; spring semester - March 1; summer term - June 15. 

Federal and state financial assistance programs
Pell, SEOG, Work-Study, Federal Student Loans, Perkins Loans, PLUS Loans, Monetary Award Program Grant  To receive assistance from most federal and state programs, students must meet all eligibility requirements set forth in the Higher Education Act as amended. These requirements include approved citizenship status, enrollment level, status as a regularly admitted student pursuing a degree (graduate students should also refer to the section concerning Conditional/Provisional Admission for Graduate Programs), enrollment in coursework required for that degree, and satisfactory academic progress (refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy section).  Most financial aid programs have maximum time frames or limits based on cumulative or lifetime assistance from the program or on number of hours attempted. The student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year that he or she wishes to receive financial assistance. 

Institutional Programs
Institutional Tuition Waivers, Grants, and Student Employment  Each year the campus provides a limited number of tuition waivers made on the basis of demonstrated financial need. The Student‑to‑Student Grant program is funded with voluntary student contributions and matching state aid. Awards are given to undergraduates with financial need. A job center is located at the Office of Financial Assistance website (www.uis.edu/financialaid) which lists student work opportunities both on and off campus. Students must be enrolled in at least six semester hours to be eligible for on‑campus employment. Documentation establishing identity and citizenship is required to comply with regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

UIS Student Emergency Loan Fund  This fund provides short‑term loans to students who meet the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and who are also enrolled at least half time (a minimum of six credit hours). Except in cases of extreme emergency, loans are limited to students working on campus and/or those with expected financial aid. There are limitations on the number and amount of loans that a student can receive. Loans are interest‑free.

Institutional Scholarships  There are approximately 100 privately supported institutional scholarships and awards available to qualified UIS students. Students must submit applications for institutional scholarships to the Office of Financial Assistance unless directed to specific programs. Visit the UIS Office of Financial Assistance website at www.uis.edu/financialaid for a current list and details on how to apply.

Application Procedures for Financial Assistance
To be awarded most types of state, federal, and institutional need‑based financial assistance, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Federal Renewal Application indicating UIS (school code 009333) as a school choice.

The FAFSA can be obtained from the Office of Financial Assistance or accessed and submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Federal Renewal Application is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov to students who applied for federal assistance the previous academic year. Both applications include instructions for submitting the information electronically to the federal processor, who will send the results directly to UIS and, for Illinois residents, to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, initiating a state application. Additionally, students must meet the following requirements:

1. Be fully admitted to UIS as a degree‑seeking student.
2. Enroll in at least six hours that lead to that degree.
3. Make satisfactory academic progress measured by completion rate, GPA, and maximum time frame (applies to returning students only).  Refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy section of this catalog for additional information.  The standards of this policy are established by the U.S. Department of Education and may differ from the academic policies of the University.
4. Respond to any request for information from the Office of Financial Assistance. As a result of applying for federal assistance, the student may be selected by the federal processor or state agency for additional documentation.

Critical Dates Affecting Financial Assistance
Applicants for need‑based assistance should be aware of the following dates:

February 15 - Deadline to apply for institutional scholarships for the upcoming year.
March 1 ‑ Application for fall semester assistance should be initiated to ensure consideration for all forms of aid.
April 15 - Last day to submit paperwork to be considered for spring semester assistance.
April 15 ‑ Applications due for upcoming summer term.
May 1 ‑ Applications should be complete (including results of needs analysis) to ensure consideration for all forms of assistance for the upcoming fall semester.
June 15 - Last day to submit paperwork to be considered for summer term financial assistance.
October 1 ‑ Application deadline for upcoming spring semester to ensure consideration for all forms of assistance.
November 15 - Last day to submit paperwork to be considered for fall semester assistance. 

Consequences of Complete Withdrawal for Aid Recipients
Recipients of Title IV (federal) financial assistance are considered to earn their aid award by attending and/or completing course work. For students who withdraw (i.e., drop all courses) from UIS during any term before that term is 60 percent complete as determined by the Department of Education calculation process:

* the percentage and amount of federal aid earned will be calculated
* the amount of federal aid to be disbursed or returned will be determined
* unpaid institutional charges will be billed, and
* the student may owe a repayment if the federal aid disbursed exceeded the percentage the student earned.

In addition, any financial aid (federal, state, or institutional) available to students who completely withdraw during any term will automatically placed on financial aid cancellation. This means that these students are ineligible for financial assistance during subsequent terms of enrollment until they register for a minimum of six (6) credit hours at their own expense and complete all classes in which they enroll, earning no less than a C (2.00) in all classes for undergraduates, or no less than a B (3.00) in all classes for graduate students.

Repeating Classes
In accordance with federal regulations, financial aid will pay for ONE repeat enrollment in a class if the student initially earned a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or F), or a grade of NC. This is done on the premise that students are seeking to improve the original grade for that class, as well as to improve their cumulative grade-point average.

The Office of Financial Assistance at UIS will not pay for repeat classes for which a grade of incomplete (I) was previously assigned.

All enrollments in a class will count toward the total number of attempted credit hours when a student's completion ratios and maximum time frames are calculated to determine satisfactory academic progress (refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy section for additional information).

Conditional/Provisional Admission for Graduate Programs
A student must be fully admitted into an eligible degree program and enrolled as a regular student in order to receive financial aid. A "regular student" is defined as one who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment for the purpose of obtaining a degree or certificate offered by the University of Illinois at Springfield.  UIS makes exceptions to this standard for students who have been conditionally admitted.

Graduate students are occasionally admitted to UIS conditionally to allow them to complete specified prerequisite courses before they are fully admitted to their program. These students may receive financial aid as long as they meet all other financial aid requirements (e.g., satisfactory academic progress), but they must successfully complete their prerequisite coursework within one calendar year (12 months). After that time, they must be fully admitted into the program to begin or continue receiving financial assistance.

Provisionally admitted students are not eligible to receive financial assistance.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by Congress, the University of Illinois at Springfield has established a minimum Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) policy. ALL federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs administered by UIS are covered by this policy. The complete SAP policy is available at www.uis.edu/financialaid; students are encouraged to read and understand the policy.

Students will be considered as making satisfactory progress if they meet ALL of the following requirements.  Failure to comply with any one may result in a loss of financial aid eligibility.

Rate of completion requirement
A student must earn a minimum number of credit hours each year to graduate within a specified time frame. A maximum number of semesters is allowed for the student to complete work toward a degree. Withdrawing from the university or repeatedly dropping courses may affect the student's ability to maintain minimal academic progress and could jeopardize financial aid eligibility. The chart below illustrates the minimum acceptable percentage of hours completed that undergraduate and graduate students can have to maintain satisfactory progress for financial aid purposes. (Note: Completion Rate refers to the percentage of hours completed in relation to hours attempted.)

UNDERGRADUATES
Hours attempted (includes transfer and repeated hours):
0-30          31-60           61-90          91+

Percentage of completed (Completion Rate):
50%           60%             70%          80%

GRADUATES
Hours attempted (includes transfer and repeated hours):
0-12          13-24            24+

Percentage of completed (Completion Rate):
50%            60%            75%

Grade-Point Average Requirement
Undergraduate students: A student must remain in good academic standing by earning a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.00 (C) or better on a 4.00 scale as determined by the university. 

Graduate students: A student must remain in good academic standing by earning a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (B) or better on a 4.00 scale as determined by the university.

Maximum Time Frame Requirement
Undergraduate students: Students are expected to complete degree requirements within 12 semesters of full-time enrollment. Every semester of enrollment is counted, regardless of whether or not the student completed the semester. Transfer hours from other institutions will count toward the maximum 12 semesters (12 transfer hours = 1 semester). In addition, hours earned from repeated courses will be counted in the calculation of hours attempted. An undergraduate student cannot receive financial aid for more than 144 credit hours.

Graduate students: Students are expected to complete degree requirements within 150% of the specified program of study.  (For example: A master's degree in management information systems is comprised of 44 credit hours. Students may receive financial assistance for no more than 66 attempted credit hours if they are pursuing this degree.) Transfer hours from any institution will count toward the maximum time frame. In addition, hours earned from repeated courses will be counted in the calculation of hours attempted, as well as all other attempted hours.

Financial Aid Probation
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is reviewed at the end of each semester. Students who fail to meet the policy will be placed on financial aid probation during the next semester you attend. Students may still receive financial assistance while on financial aid probation; however, all Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements must be met to continue receiving financial assistance during subsequent semesters of enrollment.  Failure to meet even one SAP requirement will result in cancellation of financial aid.

Financial Aid Cancellation
A student's financial aid may be cancelled for any of the following reasons:

* Failure to make progress toward the minimum cumulative GPA during the semester(s) of probation (2.00 for undergraduate students and 3.00 for graduate students).
* Failure to meet the completion rate required during the semester(s) of probation.
* Complete withdrawal from the University during a semester for which aid was received.
* Failure to complete all credit hours attempted during the semester with a passing grade.
* Exceeding the maximum time frame for completing the degree.

Appeal procedures
Students placed on financial aid cancellation may file an appeal. All appeals MUST be made in writing and addressed to the Office of Financial Assistance. The appeal should include documentation that will verify the circumstance(s) which impeded the student's satisfactory academic progress.  Examples of acceptable documentation include medical records, a letter from a faculty adviser, or a letter from an employer on company letterhead. Appeals will be reviewed and decisions rendered by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee, and the student will receive written notice of their decision.

Financial Assistance – MASTER'S DEGREE STUDENTS
UIS provides or coordinates many paid internship opportunities and scholarships for graduate students. Some of these are described below. For additional information on merit and need‑based financial assistance for graduate and undergraduate students, see above.

General Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistantships provide relevant educational experiences in UIS' academic or public affairs programs. These on‑campus internships offer opportunities to develop and apply skills in research, curriculum development, data analysis, editing, program evaluation, and coordination of special events. Preference will be given to students who have not received a master's degree within four years of beginning a graduate assistantship. The graduate assistantship application deadline is March 15. In order to be eligible for consideration, applicants must be admitted into a UIS graduate degree program. To facilitate file completion and admission, applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate the application process at least two months prior to the graduate assistantship application deadline. Files completed after March 15 will be added to the pool of eligible applicants after the first round selection process is completed.

Graduate assistants receive a monthly stipend (taxable income) and work 20 hours per week during the academic year. During each regular semester GAs receive a tuition waiver of 8 to 12 semester hours, for an academic‑year total of 16 to 24. GAs who served at least one full semester during the regular academic year are eligible for a tuition waiver for six semester hours in the subsequent summer term. The maximum tuition waiver for the academic year is 30 hours.

For complete information, contact the Graduate Assistantship Office in the Office of Graduate Studies, PAC 518, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703‑5407, phone (217) 206‑6544; e‑mail gaprog@uis.edu; or fax (217) 206‑7623.

Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program
The Institute for Legislative Studies administers the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern program, which provides outstanding students with firsthand experience in the operations of the Illinois General Assembly and opportunities for academic studies and research in legislative politics and policy analysis.

Twenty to twenty-four legislative staff interns are assigned either to the Illinois Legislative Research Unit or to one of four leadership staffs of the General Assembly. The program lasts 10 1/2 months and requires full‑time work in the assigned office. Interns are required to participate in an academic seminar during the fall semester specifically designed for this program.

Interns receive a total of eight graduate credit hours, tuition and fees, and student insurance coverage along with a monthly stipend of $2,026 while they are in the program.

To be eligible for the ILSIP, applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in any academic discipline, with a high-quality undergraduate academic record. Applications are due February 1 each year. For materials and further information, contact the Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program, PAC 466, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza, MS PAC 466, Springfield, IL 62703‑5407, or call (217) 206-6574.

Graduate Public Service Internship Program
Located within the Center for State Policy and Leadership, the Graduate Public Service Internship Program (GPSI) is ranked as one of Illinois' premier governmental internship programs. For over 30 years this program has provided interns with the opportunity to simultaneously begin a professional career while earning a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield. The program is open to students with all academic backgrounds, including those who have already earned an advanced degree.

The program is comprised of a 21-month internship placement at a participating state or municipal agency for full-time UIS graduate students. During the academic year (August 16 - May 15), interns work 20 hours per week for a stipend of $850 per month, while working full-time during the intervening summer term (May 16 - August 15) for a stipend of $1,700 per month.  Additional benefits include nine credit hours of tuition waiver for the fall and spring terms, an optional four-hour tuition waiver for the summer term, and $300 per fiscal year for professional development activities.

GPSI is a competitive placement program; completing the application process does not guarantee a placement. Application deadline:  March 15. Placements begin August 16. In order to be eligible for consideration, applicants must be admitted to a UIS master's or doctoral degree program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate the application process at least two months prior to the GPSI application deadline.

For additional information, contact the Office of Graduate Intern Programs, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza MS PAC 514, Springfield, IL 62703‑5407; via e-mail at hayden.kim@uis.edu; or by phone at (217) 206-6158.

Whitney M. Young Fellowship Program
This program is a memorial to the late Whitney M. Young, Jr., former executive director of the National Urban League, educator, and social activist. The program is aimed at helping the campus to achieve a rich and diverse educational environment by increasing the opportunities in graduate education for highly self-motivated students who are underrepresented in graduate study at UIS. This includes but is not limited to ethnic/racial minorities, first-generation college students, and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The Fellowship program is designed to complement graduate work with civic engagement in public affairs projects.

Fellows receive a monthly financial stipend of $825 for the nine‑month contract period, and a tuition waiver (minimum of 12 graduate credit hours) during the fall and spring terms. Fellows are eligible for a tuition waiver up to six semester hours for one summer semester. Fellows must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00, as well as fulfill all other requirements of the Fellowship Program.

For complete information, contact the Whitney M. Young Fellowship Program/Graduate Program Office, Office of Graduate Studies, PAC 518, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703-5407; telephone (217) 206‑6544; or visit the website at www.uis.edu/whitneymyounggraduatefellowship.

Public Affairs Reporting Scholarships
Several scholarship programs are earmarked for graduate students in the public affairs reporting program. The annual awards are based on academic achievement, financial need, and potential for a career in journalism. They are:

James E. Armstrong Scholarships, established in memory of the late publisher of the Illinois State Register and the Illinois State Journal, predecessors of The State Journal‑Register in Springfield.

Milton D. Friedland Scholarships, established in memory of the late founder and general manager of WICS‑TV, NewsChannel 20 in Springfield, and former community relations associate for the campus.

Steven B. Hahn Reporting Scholarships, established by his parents in his memory. Hahn was a legislative correspondent for The State Journal‑Register and United Press International.

Robert P. Howard Scholarships, established by friends in memory of the late capital correspondent for the Chicago Tribune.

Doug Pokorski Scholarships, established by his family and friends in memory of Pokorski, a veteran reporter who covered higher education and cultural affairs for The State Journal-Register.

Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association Scholarships honor Burnell Heinecke, former Chicago Sun‑Times Statehouse correspondent and former president of the ILCA; Bill Miller, former director of the public affairs reporting program and a founding member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association; and deceased ILCA members.

For more information, contact the director of the public affairs reporting program, (217) 206‑7494.

Financial Assistance – DOCTORAL STUDENTS
The University of Illinois at Springfield provides or coordinates a number of federal and state financial assistance programs; DPA students are eligible for some of them. For more information, see above.

Doctoral Research Assistants
A limited number of doctoral research assistant positions may be available each year to students who are pursuing the D.P.A. degree full time. Doctoral research assistants participate in research projects with faculty members individually and through the Center for State Policy and Leadership. The application deadline to ensure full consideration is March 1 for an appointment beginning with the following fall semester. Applicants must simultaneously apply for admission to the DPA program or must already have been admitted.

Doctoral research assistants receive a stipend of $18,000 for the nine‑month academic year ($2,000 per month), plus a tuition waiver for up to 12 hours during each regular semester and up to eight hours in the summer session. For information on doctoral research fellowships, please contact the Public Administration program, PAC 418, University of Illinois at Springfield, One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703‑5407; phone (217) 206‑6310; fax (217) 206‑7807; or visit the webpage at www.uis.edu/dpa/.