A state program to increase the number of faculty and staff from groups currently underrepresented at Illinois institutions of higher education. Applications go from the university to a statewide board, which makes its selections for this highly competitive program. 

For more information about the DFI program, visit their web site at http://www.ibhe.org/dfi/

Students who plan to apply for DFI should be aware that DFI funding is very highly competitive. Each year the state funds only a small percentage of qualified applicants.  For this reason applicants should also contact their local Financial Aid office to plan now for alternate funding in the event that they are not selected by DFI.  Students who wait until after DFI notification to seek other aid often discover that it is too late to file applications for other aid sources.