We offer a 25% discount off of our products to universities or university students. You might want to consider our uKit board (retail $295, $221 for universities). More information is available here (http://www.microtronix.com/product_microkit.htm).
It comes with uClinux 2.6 and Nios II preloaded and ready to go, with the fastest core available now (the kit ships with 110Mhz although we have an unofficial 116Mhz core running here). It also works with all the free software - Quartus II Web Edition and the Nios II IDE.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Robert
Microtronix