Scholarships

Local Leatherneck Housing Scholarship 2025-26

Local Leatherneck Housing scholarships are a one-time award up to $3,000 toward an on-campus residence hall room to students in the Western Illinois region.

What are the requirements?

  • Incoming freshman or transfer student.
  • Resident of Adams, Brown, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Schuyler or Warren counties in Illinois.
  • Submit a current year FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid with WIU as a school choice prior to the start of the semester of award.
  • Enroll full-time in WIU undergraduate courses in your first semester at WIU.

What else do I need to know?

  • Scholarships will be disbursed in equal amounts between the fall and spring semesters.
  • Total financial aid and scholarships cannot exceed the cost of attendance for Western Illinois University (tuition, fees, on-campus housing, dining).
  • This scholarship is not renewable. It is for one year only.
  • Available for domestic students only. 

Priority Deadline to Apply for Admission, Register for Classes and Apply for Housing

  • Awarding concludes when funds are exhausted. 
  • For  summer/fall 2025, the freshman priority deadline to apply for admission is March 1, 2025. Freshmen must register for classes by August 1, 2025. The transfer priority deadline to apply for admission is August 1, 2025. Transfers must register for classes by August 29, 2025.
  • For  spring 2026, the freshman priority deadline to apply for admission is November 1, 2025. Freshmen must register for classes by January 1, 2026. The transfer priority deadline to apply for admission is January 1, 2026. Transfers must register for classes by January 23, 2026.
  • Complete your contract to live in University housing.