Financial Aid

The Department of Economics offers a limited number of graduate assistantships. Assistantships are awarded in April for the subsequent academic year that begins in August. The Department of Economics must receive applications for Assistantships by March 1. Assistantships offer tuition remission for fall and spring semesters (and often a summer semester) plus $7560 for the nine-month school year.  Student fees are not waived under the graduate assistantship contract.  For up to date information on current graduate tuition and student fee costs, click here.

Graduate assistants in the Department of Economics are responsible for research and teaching assistance.  Research assistance is requested by faculty engaged in research projects, and can require that students be involved in literature reviews, data collection and analysis, preliminary results write-ups, and co-authorship.  Research collaboration begun through these research assistantship responsibilities has resulted in panel and conference presentations and continued scholarly collaboration.  Teaching assistance involves tutoring of undergraduate students taking the first year of economics at the University.  The graduate assistants must (1) have formal training in macroeconomics and microeconomics and must (2) speak English fluently.   In the selection process of graduate assistants, therefore, the Graduate Committee considers not only the professional potential of applicants documented by transcripts, experience, letters of recommendation, etc., but also evidence that applicants will be able to perform well as tutors.

Additional scholarship opportunities exist on campus, such as graduate assistantships in non MA granting departments on campus and the international student scholarship.  Please contact the graduate coordinator for more information regarding these opportunities.

Prospective students may also apply for financial assistance through the university's Financial Aid Office or through the International Programs Office. 

Applying for an Assistantship

Assistantship applications are available from the graduate school website by clicking here.

Instructions for Assistantship Application

  1. Complete the application.  Include in your discussion of your educational and professional experience your reason and interest in pursuing a graduate degree in Economics.  Return the completed forms directly to the graduate coordinator in your program. Deadline in Economics is March 1st. 
  2. You must have on file in the Graduate Office an application for admission as a degree-seeking graduate student before an assistantship contract can be offered.
  3. Official transcripts (specifying all coursework completed to date) from each community college, senior college, university, graduate and/or professional school which you have attended must be on file in the Graduate Office. Note: If you have not yet completed a four-year baccalaureate degree program, an official transcript showing the receipt of such a degree must be on file in the Graduate Office prior to the start of your first term at EIU. (Transcripts of work at EIU can be obtained by the Graduate Office and need not be forwarded by you.)
  4. The appropriate admissions test score(s) should be forwarded to the Graduate Office as soon as possible. Some departments may require test scores before consideration is given to an application.
  5. International students must have on file official test scores (TOEFL and GRE, GMAT, or MAT as specified on the Graduate Admission Application), a completed financial affidavit, and complete transcripts before an assistantship will be offered.
  6. Some departments may require additional information (such as portfolios, letters of recommendation, personal interviews, etc). You should correspond directly with the department concerning additional requirements.
  7. Assistantships are awarded only for the time period specified by the contract. An extension or renewal is not guaranteed. Students may reapply to the appropriate department.
  8. Application deadline varies by program. Further information may be obtained by writing directly to the appropriate department chairperson.

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Economics
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL 61920-3099

Last updated: Wednesday 05th of May 2010 03:17:43 PM