Qualified members of minority groups have opportunities to earn $10,000 for graduate school through fellowships from the Illinois Censortium for Educational Opportunity Program.

The program provides for annual financial awards of $10,000 for full-time students, and stipends of $5,000 to part-time students and those enrolled for one semester, according to Joye Bowman, NIU Graduate School assistant dean.

Bowman said the awards were established to encourage minority students to attend graduate school. Interested students should submit their applications and nomination letters to the graduate school by Feb. 15.

The graduate school can nominate up to ten students for awards, and applications received will be sent to the program’s board in Springfield, following their evaluation by the graduate school. Minority Recruitment Director Lyndon Perkins said the graduate school has received an average of twenty applications each year since the program began at NIU three years ago.

The program’s funds can go to doctoral students for a maximum of four years, but Bowman said the program limits master’s degree students to two years of aid. Acceptants of ISEOP awards also receive tuition waivers from NIU.

Minority students can receive fellowships in any program that will lead to an NIU graduate degree. After the program is completed, recipients must agree to accept a full-time teaching position at an Illinois college of university, or on a state college of univesity governing board.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens and must establish Illinois residency, have parents or stepparents living in Illinois or have a bachelor’s degree from an Illinois college or university.