Graduate Fellowships Northern Illinois University offers graduate programs in over 70 academic majors, in more than 110 areas of study, for master's, doctoral, and other advanced degrees. Through the Graduate School, graduate courses and degrees are available from 38 departments in six colleges. Funding priorities for the Graduate School include:   Endowed Scholarships to Support Graduate Students The typical scholarship support for graduate students is graduate fellowships. The availability of fellowships makes the university more competitive in recruiting from among the most talented and most promising students, and it opens the door to many who otherwise would not be able to participate in advanced higher education.   Graduate fellowships provide financial support to some of our most promising graduate students. Such funding also supports the research needs of graduate students, which often include equipment, computer software, laboratory materials, travel to research sites, and travel to make presentations at professional conferences.   Endowments to Support Teaching Interns The use of graduate students as teaching assistants is a long-standing practice in American higher education. Teaching assistantships allow graduate students to obtain experience explaining their fields of study to others, which is an excellent way to enhance learning of a subject, and many of our graduate students will become professional teachers at the university or other levels. Financial Support of Graduate Student Scholarly Activity Graduate students, particularly those engaged in thesis, dissertation, or similar independent study, often have significant financial needs, such as expenses associated with equipment, materials, or travel. Many graduate students give presentations at professional conferences much like faculty do.   Contact Us: For more information giving opportunities in the Graduate School, contact: The NIU Development Office at (815) 753-1386 or email us.   Visit the Graduate School Web site at http://www.grad.niu.edu/.