State of Illinois Scholarships

Illinois resident students may be eligible for scholarships administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Applications and information about these programs are available from ISAC, 500 West Monroe, Springfield, IL 62704, or from Student Financial Aid at SIUE.

Robert C. Byrd Thomas Scholarship Program
David A. Debolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship
Illinois General Assembly Scholarships
Illinois ROTC Scholarships
Illinois Special Education Teacher Waiver Program
Merit Recognition Scholarship
Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship

Robert C. Byrd Thomas Scholarship Program
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship provides scholarships to academically exceptional high school graduates who show promise of continued academic excellence. A Byrd Scholar may receive up to $1,500 (not to exceed the cost of attendance) for each academic year, up to a maximum of four years of study. The scholarship is not limited to tuition and fees. Awarding of Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships is subject to federal funding. Applications are to be received by ISAC on or before January 15 preceding the academic year for which the scholarship is being requested.

David A. Debolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship
The David A. Debolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship program replaces several separate scholarships for various teacher shortage areas. It encourages academically talented students to pursue careers as public preschool, elementary and secondary school teachers in disciplines that have been designated as Teacher Shortage disciplines in the State of Illinois. Priority is given to minority students. The deadline to apply for the Debolt Scholarships is May 1. Applicants also must apply for federal student financial aid to determine their expected family contribution, which is part of the selection criteria for the scholarship. Recipients of the scholarship will sign an agreement to teach one year for each year of scholarship received in the Teacher Shortage Discipline for which the recipient applied. The teaching requirement must be fulfilled within five years following completion of certification in the shortage field.

Illinois General Assembly Scholarships
These tuition scholarships are awarded by members of the General Assembly to residents of their legislative districts. Awards may be for varying lengths of time. Students should contact their General Assembly representatives directly for complete information.

Illinois ROTC Scholarships
The University awards scholarships to qualified full-time students on the basis of leadership ability and performance in the corps of cadets. These scholarships cover tuition and the activity fee. The awards are renewable for up to four years for recipients who are in good academic standing and remain enrolled in ROTC. Ten new awards are made annually, and a maximum of 40 awards, including renewals, can be in effect at one time. Contact the Air Force ROTC unit at (618) 650-3179 or the Army ROTC unit at (618) 650-2500 for more information.

Illinois Special Education Teacher Waiver Program
The Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program provides tuition waivers to current teachers and academically talented students pursuing careers in any area of special education as a public, private or parochial elementary or secondary school teacher in Illinois. Applications must be received by ISAC on or before February 15 immediately preceding the academic year for which the tuition waiver is being requested.

Merit Recognition Scholarship
The Merit Recognition Program provides a one-time, $1,000 award to qualified Illinois high school students who ranked in the top 5 percent of their class at the end of the seventh semester. This scholarship can be used for payment of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses at approved Illinois institutions. Eligible students should contact their high school guidance office or ISAC for complete information.

Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship
The Minority Teachers Scholarship Program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 per year to assist individuals of African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American origin who plan to become teachers at the preschool, elementary, or high school level. Students receiving this scholarship must fulfill a teaching commitment by teaching full time one year for each year of assistance received. The teaching agreement must be fulfilled at a school in which no less than 30 percent of those enrolled are minority students. If the teaching commitment is not fulfilled, the scholarship converts to a loan. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is May 1.