Scholarships for select freshmen in any academic discipline, based on academic excellence
Matthews Scholars
Requirements: Freshmen with exceptional academic achievement, outstanding leadership skills, and a commitment to campus and community efforts
Amount: $2,000 per year
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the recipients maintain a 3.3 GPA
Number: Approximately 100 scholarships awarded each fall
Illinois Residents
Provost Scholarship
Requirements: National Achievement, National Hispanic Scholar finalists, or National Merit Finalists who have indicated the University of Illinois as their first choice
Amount: Full tuition
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the recipients maintain a 3.0 GPA
Number: 30
President's Award Program
Requirements: Students in historically under-represented groups who have an ACT score of 22-23 and are in the top quarter of their class, or who have an ACT score of 24 or higher and are in the top half of their class
Amount: $4,000; if financial need is determined based on information received via the FAFSA form, an additional scholarship of up to $12,000 can be awarded
Renewable: $1,000 will be distributed equally for four years.
Campus Merit Award
Requirements: Students in historically under-represented groups who are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class
Amount: $3,000 - this award will be added to the President's Award
Renewable: $2,000 distributed during the freshman year and $1,000 in the sophomore year
National Merit Award
Requirements: National Merit finalists who indicated the University of Illinois as their top choice
Amount: $500
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA
James Hunter Anthony and Gerald E. Blackshear Endowment
Requirements: Incoming freshmen with superior academic and leadership qualities will be considered. Students must have graduated from an Illinois high school in order to qualify.
Amount: Equal to full tuition and fees for an academic year
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA
Leslie Ellis Scholarship
Requirements: Incoming freshman from Chester High School, Illinois, who demonstrates academic merit and plans to enroll full-time at the University of Illinois
Amount: $1,100
Renewable: No
Number: One
Dick Foley Scholarship
Requirements: Incoming freshman from Paris High School, Illinois, who displays high moral character, integrity, leadership, personal discipline, dedication, determination, perseverance, loyalty, commitment, and service to country and community. Second preference would be for a student from Edgar County, Illinois.
Amount: $500
Renewable: No
Number: One
Susanne & David Peterson Scholarship
Requirements: Incoming freshman from the Plainfield High Schools in Illinois; based upon academic merit and past activities. Second preference would be for a student from Will County, Illinois.
Amount: $3,000
Renewable: Yes - four years, provided the student maintains full-time status and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Number: One
Randall & Marilyn Rhea Scholarship
Requirements: Incoming freshman from Okaw High School
Amount: $5,000
Renewable: Yes - four years, provided the student remains in good academic standing
Number: One every four years
Harley H. & Mary Shepherd Scholarship
Requirements: Undergraduate from Harrisburg Township High School, Illinois; based upon scholastic ability, including GPA and standardized pre-collegiate testing, and character. Preference will be given to students who live within the township of Harrisburg.
Amount: $2,000
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the student maintains a GPA of at least 3.0
Number: One
Chez Scholarship
Seperate Application Required. Download the application.
Requirements: Chicago Public High School students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; a three-year cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in a college preparatory curriculum, including work in math, science, and English; a strong work ethic and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Amount: up to $10,000
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the student maintains a GPA of 2.5
Number: 5
Non-residents
University Achievement Scholarship
Requirements: Out-of-state incoming freshmen with outstanding academic achievement
Amount: $12,000
Renewable: Yes – four years, provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA