Northern Illinois University
Department of Economics
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Students may apply for financial assistance to cover some costs of tuition and earn a stipend while enrolled in our graduate programs. The primary source of funding is from the department; however, some awards are available from the Graduate School for those students who meet specific criteria.

Graduate assistantships from the department are competitively allocated among the students who have been accepted to the Ph.D. program. Returning students are eligible to apply for renewal which is based on satisfactory progress in the program and of assistantship duties. Eligible students should expect no more than five years of funding from the department. Applications for new graduate assistantships are due to the department no later than February 15.

Each assistantship award includes a waiver of instructional fees (but not personal fees) and a stipend. Most students are hired as teaching assistants for the department faculty and, per university guidelines, are expected to enroll in at least 9 credit hours per semester and work no more than 20 hours per week.