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

2020-2021 CEFCU Member Appreciation Scholarship

Citizens Equity First Credit Union (CEFCU) has a long history of assisting its membership in securing adequate financial support for higher education. CEFCU recognizes the benefits to the entire community when opportunities for a college education are within the reach of deserving and talented students. In recognition of CEFCU's commitment to higher education and Illinois State University's ongoing educational excellence, the CECFU Member Appreciation Scholarship has been established.

Three $1,250 scholarships may be awarded each year to students meeting the criteria specified. Please review the online application for details. The CEFCU Member Appreciation Scholarship is a nonrenewable award.

Application deadline is at 11:59pm on Friday, March 27, 2020.

2019-2020 Robert & Michelle Howell Scholarship

The Robert & Michelle Howell Scholarship was established to assist physically disabled Illinois State University students who have a financial need. Additional information about the scholarship and the application process can be found at the Robert and Michelle Howell Scholarship page.

Class of 1985 & 1986

The Class of 1985 Scholarship and the Class of 1986 Scholarship were established by their respective graduating classes to acknowledge students' commitments to the Illinois State University campus and surrounding community through involvement in campus activities and demonstrated leadership.

You can apply for one or both of these scholarships. As part of the application process you must upload the required essay and 1 letter of recommendation.

The essay should outline (in 250 words or less) your specific involvement in campus and community activities and explains your leadership roles, your leadership skills, and the impact of your contributions to ISU and the surrounding community.

Please note: you must upload only ONE essay and ONE letter of recommendation to apply for one or both scholarships.

Class of 1985 criteria:

Eligible applicants must have:

30 completed hours of credit at ISU at the time of application
Minimum 2.50 ISU GPA – after Spring 2020 grades post
Demonstrated unmet need as determined by filing the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2020-2021 academic year
Demonstrated leadership and participation in ISU campus/community activities

Class of 1986 criteria:

Eligible applicants must have:

30 completed hours of credit at ISU at the time of application
Minimum 3.00 ISU GPA – after Spring 2020 grades post
Demonstrated academic excellence
Demonstrated leadership and participation in ISU campus/community activities

Application deadline for both scholarships is at 11:59pm on Friday, April 17, 2020.

Olamide Adeyooye Scholarship

This fund was established in 2006 to honor Olamide Adeyooye, a senior whose life was tragically ended three months prior to her graduation. Candidates must have demonstrated academic achievement, financial need, and a commitment to campus and/or community service; and have completed at least 30 hours of credit at Illinois State University. Additional scholarship criteria can be found on the online application.

Application deadline is at 11:59pm on Friday, April 17, 2020.

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. There is no specific application - students who complete the FAFSA, meet the listed requirements, and demonstrate financial need will considered.

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:

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.

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