Scholarships

2022-23 Scholarship Information

How Scholarships are Disbursed

  • Split equally between fall and spring semesters
  • Total financial and and scholarships cannot exceed the total cost of attendance for Western Illinois University
  • Scholarships are subject to the availability of funds
  • All renewable scholarships require that you meet federal satisfactory academic progress requirements
  • Students starting in the spring semester will receive equal amounts in the the spring and subsequent fall semesters
  • Must be a domestic student

Alumni Legacy Scholarships

  • Award for incoming freshman or transfer who is the child or grandchild of a WIU graduate
  • Renewable for an additional three years of continuous full-time undergraduate study
  • Requires full-time enrollment in undergraduate courses

Chicago Leatherneck Scholarships

  • Award for incoming freshmen
  • Resident of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry or Will counties in Illinois
  • Resident of Lake or Porter counties in Indiana
  • Renewable for an additional three years of continuous full-time undergraduate study
  • Requires full-time enrollment in undergraduate courses

Leatherneck Book Awards

  • Award for incoming freshmen who are eligible for a federal Pell grant as determined through FAFSA
  • Renewable for an additional three years of continuous full-time undergraduate study

Leatherneck Visitor Scholarships

  • Award for incoming freshmen & transfer students who attend an on campus or virtual visit with Undergraduate Admissions
  • Not renewable
  • Requires full-time enrollment in undergraduate courses

Local Leatherneck Scholarships

  • Award for incoming freshman towards an on-campus residence hall room
  • Resident of Adams, Brown, Fulton, McDonough, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Schuyler or Warren counties in Illinois
  • Not renewable
  • Requires full-time enrollment in undergraduate courses

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships

  • Award for incoming transfer students who have joined the Phi Theta Kappa transfer honors society
  • Not renewable
  • Requires full-time enrollment in undergraduate courses

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious award offered at Western Illinois University.  Awards are determined by a selection committee that considers academic merit, demonstrated leadership ability and community engagement as factors in the selection process.  Presidential Scholars receive scholarships to cover full tuition, student fees, a double residence hall room and meal plan not covered by other scholarships.

What are the requirements for Fall 2022 students?

  • 3.6+ GPA
  • Meet freshmen admission requirements for the Centennial Honors College
  • Enroll in the Centennial Honors College
  • Demonstrated leadership ability and community engagement

Is this scholarship renewable?

  • Yes, for an additional three years (six semesters) of continuous undergraduate study
  • Maintain a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA at WIU

What else do I need to know?

  • SAT/ACT scores are not required to apply for the Presidential Scholarship, but may be used during final phases of the selection process.  If used, scores of a 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT will be considered.
  • Scholarships will be disbursed in equal amounts between the fall and spring semesters
  • Total financial aid and scholarships cannot exceed the total cost of attendance for Western Illinois University
  • Scholarships are subject to the availability of funds

How to Apply

  • Deadline: December 1
  • Complete the WIU Foundation Scholarship application

St. Louis Leatherneck Scholarships

  • Award for incoming freshmen
  • Resident of Madison, Monroe or St. Clair counties in Illinois
  • Resident of Franklin, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. Louis county and St. Louis city in Missouri
  • Renewable for an additional three years of continuous full-time undergraduate study
  • Requires full-time enrollment in undergraduate courses

Transfer Commitment Scholarships

  • Award for incoming transfer students who have earned a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA and have completed 24 or more transferable credit hours
  • Requires registration in 6 semester hours minimum in undergraduate courses
  • Renewable for an additional three years of continuous full-time undergraduate study
  • Spring 2020 & prior renewal criteria posted online here

Western Commitment Scholarships