Scholarships
Your grades, achievements, and activities during high school typically determine the scholarships for which you are eligible. Often, the organization or individual donor providing the scholarship wishes to reward or encourage certain characteristics or behaviors such as strong academic credentials, leadership or community service activities, or plans to enter a certain profession.
Search for scholarships continually
Scholarships come from a variety of sources. Some are available through Illinois State University. Our ScholarshipFinder can also help you find awards within the University. Professional organizations, social clubs, employers, community organizations, and individual donors provide many more. Each scholarship provider determines when and how they will select the recipient, whether or not the award is renewable year after year, when the money will be awarded, and how it should be used. The more often you are searching and applying for scholarships, the less likely it is you will miss something for which you could have qualified.
Understand the timeline and process
Most scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Usually that means applications are accepted in the fall or spring, winners are notified a few weeks to a few months later, and the actual awards are made the next fall. Unfortunately, because of this timing, if you are trying to cover an outstanding bill you have right now, scholarships are unlikely to help. Find out how the process works when you receive a scholarship.
Scholarships Available Now
Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program
The number of grants made through this program, as well as the individual dollar amount awarded, are subject to sufficient annual appropriations by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor.
Any student, faculty, staff, alumni, or parent can order these license plates. For each original plate issuance, renewal, or transfer of plates, the University will receive $25 for student scholarships. Visit the Alumni Office Web site for more information on purchasing a collegiate license plate.
In order for a student to receive scholarship money from this fund, the student must be:
- A US citizen or eligible non-citizen
- A resident of Illinois
- Enrolled at Illinois State University
- Able to demonstrate financial need with the completion of the FAFSA
- Maintaining satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution (for renewal applicants only)
- An undergraduate student and have not received a baccalaureate degree
- If eligible, you may receive this grant for the equivalent of 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment.
The Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program provides grants to students who attend Illinois colleges for which the special collegiate license plates are available. The Illinois Secretary of State issues the license plates, and part of the proceeds are used for grants for undergraduate students attending these colleges.
The availability of grants is contingent on the number of license plates sold and the annual appropriation.
Application for Senior Citizen Courses Act Tuition Waiver
Senior Citizen Courses Act (110 ILCS 990): Permits senior citizens, over the age of 65 who are accepted to the institution, to enroll in regularly scheduled credit courses at public institutions of higher education without payment of tuition. Does not include payment of any fees. Must be age 65 or older with an annual household income below the threshold amount provided in the statute.
http://policy.illinoisstate.edu/fiscal/7-7-8.shtml )
Get more information
Our blog can help you:
- more effectively search for scholarships,
- improve the quality of your applications, and
- help you write a better scholarship essay.
Federal Student Aid also provides a good explanation of how scholarships work.
For questions regarding scholarships, please call (309) 438-2740 or email scholarships@illinoisstate.edu.