Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Fellowship

Mission

The Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program (DFI) was established by the Illinois General Assembly and signed as Public Act 093-0862 (Appendix B) on August 4, 2004. Only students interested in employment in higher education are awarded this highly competitive fellowship.

DFI serves as a program of financial assistance to implement the policy of encouraging minority students to enroll and complete academic programs at the post-baccalaureate level and to enhance the diversity of faculty and staff of Illinois institutions of higher education.

Participant Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Illinois Residency

To be classified as an Illinois resident, an applicant must have received a high school diploma or post-secondary from an accredited educational institution in Illinois and have three or more years of residency in Illinois before applying for the DFI Fellowship.

Underrepresented Groups

“Traditionally underrepresented minority group” means any of the minority groups designated in the Illinois Public ACT 093-0862 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.

Academic Ability

Applicants must possess above-average academic ability as evidenced by:

1. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning;
2. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (scale 4.0 = A) in the last sixty hours of undergraduate work  and over a 3.2 (scale 4.0 = A) in at least 9 hours of graduate study;
3. Proof of unconditional admission to a master’s or doctoral degree program at UIC.  (If awarded, the applicant must enroll as a full-time graduate student, minimum of 9 credit hours)

Academic and Professional Pursuits

Applicants in all disciplines are eligible.  Applicants pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) fields are encouraged to apply.  Applicants must plan to pursue a doctorate, terminal master’s, or master’s degree.

Financial Need

Applicants must have a financial need of at least $10,000 for eligibility. Financial Need is determined by subtracting the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) (COA-EFC=Need).  Please consult the UIC Office of Student Financial Aid and your award letter to obtain these figures.  In addition please determine the potential impact of accepting the DFI Fellowship stipend and tuition and partial fee waiver.

Terms of the Award

The DFI  Fellowship is renewable for a maximum of four years for UIC students pursuing doctoral degrees and two years for students pursuing master’s degrees.  Upon graduation or separation from the DFI institution, an award recipient agrees to actively seek a full-time teaching or administrative appointment at an Illinois post-secondary educational institution equal to the number of years of DFI Fellowship funding.  Non-fulfillment of this fellowship condition requires repayment of 20 percent of the cumulative awarded amount.

How to Apply

Prospective UIC DFI Fellows must submit applications directly to the UIC Graduate College via the link on this website. The following documents must be submitted for a complete application:

1. 2024-25 DFI Fellowship Application for New Applicants (See download link below)
2. UIC Financial Certification Questionnaire. You may insert the 2023-24  Cost of Attendance and Expected Family Contribution in the form.  This will determine your financial need and eligibility.
3. 2024-25 FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid) (by 2/1/24). (or, RISE ACT/Alternative Application deadline met)
4. New Applicant  Screening Form (p, 8.)
5. Official Letter of Acceptance
6. Statement of Professional Goals
7. Statement of Underrepresented Status
8. Three Letters of Professional Recommendation.* (Recommenders: Upload via Submission link below.)
9. File Name: Use the following file naming convention: DFI_YearofCompetition_New_DepartmentName_Student’sLastNameFirstInitial.pdf.
   • DFI_2025_New_Author’sLastNameFirstInitial_DocumentName_Student’sLastNameFirstInitial.pdf.
   • Ex: DFI_2025_New_SmithS_LetterofReccommendation_WashingtonG.pdf
10. Original Transcripts only.*  Send directly to: lford@uic.edu – Lunaire Ford, Assistant Dean, UIC Graduate College

Submit the application the jumbo link below or via the following email address: 2025_DF.pc6uzmwdyuukwwx2@u.box.com

*Transcripts must show the original institutional watermark. Copies are unacceptable.

Review and Selection Process

The DFI Fellowship has both campus-level and state-level review processes. The campus-level review process ensures that all UIC applications are complete, eligible, and competitive. UIC applications that pass the campus-level review are then forwarded to the IBHE-DFI Office In Springfield, IL for the state-level review.

The IBHE/DFI Board will notify the UIC DFI Representative of the awards in June/July 2024.  Please note that the funding for the 2024-25 academic year is contingent on the availability of funds appropriated by the Governor and Illinois General Assembly.