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Programs Scholarship Scholarship One of our highest priorities at Illinois is to increase the amount of scholarship assistance available to incoming and returning students. Why scholarships? Too much of today's financial assistance comes in the form of loans – 42% of our students have to borrow before graduation and average indebtedness upon graduation has climbed to more than $15,600. Help make students' dreams become a reality, give them the opportunity to reach their goals, and lessen the burden on Illinois students and their families by contributing to scholarships. Scholarship Gift Options
General Scholarship FundThe general scholarship fund is the most flexible of all of the campus scholarship funds – used to benefit students from all campus academic programs at all levels. Most frequently utilized to round out financial assistance awards to students with documented need and academic potential, your gift to the general scholarship fund may determine whether a student can matriculate or continue at the University of Illinois. Top The Illinois PromiseThe newest of the campus scholarship programs, The Illinois Promise was announced by Chancellor Richard Herman in December 2004. In academic year 2006-2007, 257 students were awarded Illinois Promise scholarships. Illinois Promise scholarship recipients are high-achieving in-state students from low-income families. Since no assistance is expected to be available from their families, these students are quite vulnerable to dropping out for financial reasons. The Illinois Promise fills the gap. It's a comprehensive financial aid package covering tuition, fees, room, board and books. To remain eligible, award recipients must remain in good academic standing and participate in about 10 hours per week of on-campus work through the federal work-study program. By combining good grades and hard work, these students will have the opportunity for a bright future. Top The James Newton Matthews Scholars ProgramEstablished in 1996, the James Newton Matthews Scholars Program is Illinois' premier merit scholarship program. Incoming first year students are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and community service. Matthews scholarships are funded entirely by private gifts from University alumni and friends. Currently, awards are $2,000 per year and are renewable provided the recipient maintains a 3.3 (out of 4.0) grade point average. Matthews Scholars are drawn from all schools and colleges on campus. The 2006-2007 class of Matthews Scholars numbered 162. Since the founding of the program, 384 students have received more than $2.6 million in scholarship awards. Top ExCEL(Exemplary, Committed & Engaged Leaders) ScholarshipsExCEL Scholarships provide scholarships for active leaders of major student organizations who might otherwise have to decline their positions to support themselves financially. ExCEL Scholarship recipients must hold a significant campus leadership position and are nominated by campus faculty, staff and other students. Awarded each spring, recipients must be of junior or senior standing during the coming academic year. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (A=4.0) is required. Currently seven named scholarships are awarded each year in honor of Stanley R. Levy, Edith and Harry Darby and Susan Teegarden Morrison. TopHigh Schools/Regional Scholarship ProgramsHigh School Scholarships provide for students from specific high schools or geographic regions. More than seventeen in-state, named scholarships are being awarded annually ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500. Many scholarships are awarded to the same recipient for one to four years. Top Individual Group ScholarshipsEstablished by donors with a request that the recipient be from a specified geographical region, ethnic background and/or interested in a specific area of education or have a minimum grade point average. Top If you would like information about scholarships available to incoming or current students, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid's web site. By contributing to an existing scholarship program through a scholarship funded by a group of individual donors, you touch the lives of undergraduate students across campus. You may also choose to establish a new scholarship fund, in your name or the name of a loved one. Your gift assures that the opportunity for students to receive scholarship assistance will continue at Illinois, for the leaders of tomorrow. |
