Scholarships

Ritamae Carroll Memorial First-Year Involvement Award

This award recognizes a student (freshman or transfer) who, in their first year at Illinois State University, has become an active member of the campus community while maintaining good academic standing. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

Application opens: December
Amount: Varies
Award Timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: February 9, 2024
Qualifications: Currently enrolled first-year student at Illinois State University (First Time in College or Transfer student), good academic and disciplinary standing

Mike Schermer Outstanding Student Leader Award

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Illinois State University community. This student exemplifies leadership and excellence through their service and dedication to the student body, demonstrated through a willingness and ability to work with others in an effort to better the quality of student life for all. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

Application opens: December
Amount: Varies
Award Timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: February 9, 2024
Qualifications: Currently enrolled Illinois State University student, good academic and disciplinary standing

Billy Quigley Leader in Action Award

William “Billy” Quigley Jr. was a dedicated student leader at Illinois State University at the time of his death on November 26, 2008, as a result of an automobile accident. This award honors student leaders at Illinois State in memory of Billy’s enthusiasm, dedication, and pride. The student should have demonstrated experience guiding fellow students through individual mentoring and supportive behavior and promoting a passion for creating targeted social change at Illinois State University. The recipient of this endowed award receives a recognition plaque and a monetary award.

Application opens: December
Amount: Varies
Award Timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: February 9, 2024
Qualifications: Currently enrolled Illinois State University student, good academic and disciplinary standing

The Spangler Scholarship for Social Justice

The purpose of the Spangler Scholarship for Social Justice is to provide financial support to students who demonstrate a commitment to pursuing social justice activism in their future careers.

Application opens: January; application period currently closed
Amount: $1500
Award timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: End of March
Qualifications:

Past or present active member of a Registered Student Organization at Illinois State University that advocates for or explores LGBTQ+ or women's issues (e.g., Pride, FLAME, etc.)
Submit an essay (300 words or less) defining their work and commitment to social justice on campus and/or in the community
Preference will be given to students who qualify for financial assistance but is not a requirement

Tina and Mick Rowe Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students

This scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for students of any major who meet the criteria listed below.

Application opens: January; application period currently closed
Amount: $1500
Award timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: End of February
Qualifications:

Graduated high school, or completed GED, a minimum of 10 years before enrolling
Hold junior or senior class standing and be currently enrolled at Illinois State University
Have a minimum cumulative ISU GPA of 3.5
Demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office
Submit a personal statement (300 words max) that describes their determination to earn a college degree, acknowledging how life circumstances may have put their dream of graduating on hold for years.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Support Fund

Application timeline: Continuous; apply now.
Amount: Varies
Award timeline: Continuous
Deadline to apply: Rolling, pending available funds
Qualifications:
This fund supports applications that demonstrate one or more of the following:

An emergency financial need based on current life circumstances - must be enrolled as an Illinois State University undergraduate or graduate student in the semester in which funds are granted
A financial need from a student member of an ISU RSO or other group that supports LGBTQ+ issues - must be enrolled as an Illinois State University undergraduate or graduate student in the semester in which funds are granted
Educational programming related to LGBTQ+ topics intended for the ISU student body - current Illinois State University students must be the intended audience, and programming must occur on the Illinois State University campus

Michael D. Schermer Student Leader Excellence Fund

This fund was established to help further Illinois State University’s goal of preparing students to be informed and engaged citizens who will promote and further the collective goals of society.

Application opens: May
Amount: $1,000, renewable
Award timeline: Annually, summer
Deadline to apply: June
Qualifications:

Incoming Illinois State University student who has been accepted to and intends to enroll at Illinois State University.
High School GPA of at least 3.0
A minimum of two years of experience in student council, class board, or student government at the high level or at a prior college/university (for transfer students)
Commitment to community services as demonstrated by own initiative to become involved in the service, and ability to articulate the impact of the service.

Alpha Gamma Delta Founder’s Scholarship – Beta Omicron Chapter

This scholarship is provided to active student members in good standing of Beta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta. Preference will be given to a member who is living in the chapter house and who has demonstrated a leadership position in the chapter, on campus, or in the community.

Application opens: January
Amount: $1,000
Award timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: May 15
Qualifications:

A sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student who is an initiated member of Beta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.
In academic good standing with a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA.
In good financial standing with Illinois State University, Beta Omicron Chapter and the National Sorority.
Recipients are not eligible to apply for the scholarship a second time.
Applicant must provide at least one letter of recommendation, which attests to the individual’s leadership skills, contributions, and character.

Frank A. Provenzano Scholarship for Tau Kappa Epsilon Students

This scholarship supports an undergraduate, initiated member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity with demonstrated financial need.

Application opens: January
Amount: $1,000, renewable
Award timeline: Annually, spring semester
Deadline to apply: March
Qualifications:

Student must be an initiated member in the Tau Kapa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity at Illinois State University. (If TKE is not established or a member is not eligible, members of the four Greek leadership councils will be eligible to apply. If there are no eligible students in the leadership council, the scholarship will be open to all members of the Greek-letter registered student organizations at Illinois State University).
Student must be an undergraduate
Student must have demonstrated financial need
Student must be in good academic and disciplinary standing
This scholarship is not open to international students

Current Student Scholarships List