Student Leadership Awards & Scholarships

This scholarship was established in honor of Irene Pierson, the first female president of the Student Senate and Social Director of the Illini Union. 

Eligibility: Junior

Criteria: excellence in student activities, leadership, and academics.
Amount: 1
Number of Awards: $850

This scholarship was established in honor of Joseph Smith, former Assistant Vice Chanceller for Academic Affairs, Director of Affirmative Action, and Associate Professor of English.  

Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, or a registered student organization

Criteria: Development of an effective and sustaining activity toward interracial or cultural understanding and an appreciation through outside-classroom experiences.

Amount: $850
Number of Awards: 1

This scholarship was established in honor of Joshua Grafton, a member of the Class of 1983 and founder of the Student Alumni Association. 

Eligibility: Sophomores 

Criteria: Demonstrated leadership ability, creativity, community awareness, and service to others in their extracurricular activities. Financial need is also taken into consideration. 

Amount: $2,500
Number of Awards: 2

This scholarship was established in honor of Patricia E. Askew, former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. 

Eligibility: Undergraduate students 
Criteria: Practice of the Illinois Leadership philosophy and role in creating or enhancing a registered student organization.

Amount: $1,500
Number of Awards: 1

This scholarship is supported by Student Affairs alumni in part by the Esther Caldwell and Ruth Caldwell Hussey Fund in honor of Vice Chancellor Renée Romano.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Criteria: Demonstrated record of leadership at the University of Illinois, with preference to students involved in programs, projects, efforts, or activities that benefit women undergraduates.

Amount: $1,200
Number of Awards: 1

This award was established in honor of Susan Teegarden Morrison, Class of 1959 and  the first female president of the Illini Union Board.

Eligibility: Sophomore and junior students

Criteria: Significant leadership positions on campus - positions that contribute to the quality of life for U of I students. It is expected that the recipients will also hold a leadership position for the following academic year.

Amount: $2,500

Number of Awards: 1

This scholarship is in memory Cathy Acevedo, former Associate Dean in the Office of the Dean of Students at University of Illinois and founding chair of Latino Family Day at Illinois.

Eligibility: Undergraduates. Preference will be given to high school graduates from the state of Illinois who have a demonstrated financial need.
Criteria: Demonstrated interest in issues and concerns impacting or related to Latinidad. 
Amount: $1,000 and the opportunity to work with La Casa Cultural Latina. 
Number of Awards: 1

This scholarship was established to honor Senator Harry Darby (’17,’29) and Mrs. Edith Darby. 

Eligibility: Students seeking at least a four year degree, with a minimum 3.0 GPA during previous two years in high school or college, and currently enrolled in fifteen (15) or more credit hours. 
Criteria: Demonstrated leadership, citizenship and morals and ethics.
Amount: $2000
Number of Awards: 2

This award was established in honor of former Associate Dean of Students Jean F. Hill.

Eligibility: seniors from under-represented populations. 
Criteria: Demonstrated campus leadership, resilience in the face of significant personal obstacles.
Amount: $650
Number of Awards: 2

This scholarship was established in honor of former Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Stanley R. Levy.  

Eligibility: Undergraduate students, with preference to juniors and seniors. A letter of nomination by faculty or staff at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is required. 
Criteria: Demonstrated campus leadership, development of students’ roles and responsibilities, and contributions to quality of life of the campus.  
Amount: $5,000
Number of Awards: 1

This award is made possible by Willard Broom (’72), former Director of Student Affairs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Criteria: Personal and academic achievements, outstanding leadership, impact on the quality of life at the University and demonstrated personal growth and integrity.
Amount: $1,600
Number of Awards: 2

This award is made possible by an endowment from The Chicago Illini Club, a regional affiliate of the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students. 
Criteria: Personal and academic achievements, outstanding leadership, impact on the quality of life at the University and demonstrated personal growth and integrity.
Amount: $1,000
Number of Awards: 1

This award was established in memory of Victoria Lynn Merkel, a member of the Class of 1987 who served on the Illini Union Board and was elected Ma-Wan-Da and Senior 100.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students. Preference will be given to seniors. 
Criteria: Personal and academic achievements, outstanding leadership, impact on the quality of life at the University and demonstrated personal growth and integrity.
Amount: $1,000
Number of Awards: 1

This award is made possible by Procter & Gamble (P&G) to support leadership opportunities on campus.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students. 
Criteria: Personal and academic achievements, outstanding leadership, impact on the quality of life at the University and demonstrated personal growth and integrity.
Amount: $550
Number of Awards: 1

Yes, you may apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible. All awards and scholarships are listed on the same application, and you will have the option to apply for all of them.

Students will self-nominate for all the awards and scholarships with the exception of the Stanley R. Levy Leadership Scholarship and the Susan Teegarden Morrison Leadership Scholarship, which require a faculty or staff member nomination. If you are eligible for those scholarships, you will list the contact information of the faculty or staff who will fill out the form for you. It is good practice to let that faculty or staff member know you will be listing their information as a nominator, so be sure to do this before filling out the form.