Americans with Disabilities Act
The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program (DFI) is a fellowship initiative designed to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented faculty and staff at Illinois institutions of higher learning and higher education governing boards. Established by the Illinois General Assembly and enacted as Public Act 093-0862, it is the act combines the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity Program (ICEOP) and the Illinois Minority Graduate Incentive Program (IMGIP) into a single fellowship program.
DFI provides financial assistance, based on demonstrated financial need, for members of traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue and complete graduate degrees at Illinois institutions of higher learning. DFI is a program for graduate students from traditionally underrepresented in higher education, who have received high school diplomas or post-secondary degrees from educational institutions in Illinois or who have three or more years of residency in Illinois and are citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Selection of award recipients is based on a comprehensive review of application materials. All academic fields are considered for this award. Stipend levels are currently subject to change, but are projected between $12,500 and $17,500 for full-time enrollment. Full time enrollment is required while on fellowship. The award is renewable for one year for master’s students and up to three years for doctoral students, contingent upon the receipt making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of the degree.
Upon graduation or separation from the DFI institution, an award recipient must agree to actively seek and accept when offered a teaching or non-teaching full-time appointment at an Illinois post-secondary educational institution, or accept a position as an employee of the State of Illinois in an administrative, educational-related position equal to the number of years for which he or she receives DFI fellowship. Students failing to fulfill this condition of the award will be required to repay 20 percent of their cumulative award amount.
For more information please contact:
Director of Graduate Studies
4040 Graduate School
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-4040
Phone: 309-438-2583
Fax: 309-438-7912
E-Mail:
Applicants must be admitted to one of the following participating institutions at the time of application. The application deadline is February 15 for the following academic year, although individual institutions may set an internal deadline prior to that date for processing purposes. Please check with your institutional representative to determine the actual application deadline.
To be classified as an Illinois resident, an applicant must have received a high school diploma or post-secondary degree from an educational institution in Illinois or be a registered voter in Illinois with three or more years of residency in Illinois.
Includes African American, Hispanic American, Native American or Asian American. "Traditionally underrepresented minority group" means any of the minority groups designated in the Act which are represented in Illinois post-baccalaureate enrollment at a percentage rate less than the percentage of the minority group's representation in the total Illinois population. The Illinois Board of Higher Education shall determine annually which groups are underrepresented based upon census data and annual graduate enrollment reports from Illinois institutions of higher education.
Applicants must possess above average academic ability as evidenced by:
Applicants in all academic disciplines are eligible. Applicants must be pursuing a doctorate or master's degree. Applicants must plan on pursuing a career in teaching or administration at an Illinois post-secondary institution or Illinois higher education governing board.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need. A FAFSA must be filed each year to maintain eligibility.
