EIU has hundreds of scholarship opportunities available through EIU Academic Works.
Because scholarships are free money!
Sometimes first-generation students assume that scholarships are “not for them,” that only valedictorians and star athletes can get scholarships. But trust us when we say that there are scholarships out there for nearly every kind of student, and even a small scholarship can make a big difference.
Think of it this way: if you spend 10 hours preparing scholarship materials for 10 different scholarships, and you only receive one $500 scholarship, that’s still like making $50 an hour! It would be tough to find a job out of high school that pays that well, especially one that mostly asks you to write about yourself. And unlike loans, you never have to pay that money back. The bottom line is, scholarship applications are worth your time.
At the very least, you should put in your General Application, which becomes available to you as soon as you are admitted to EIU, and needs to be renewed every year you are a student. This short form gives EIU permission to use your academic information for scholarship purposes. It takes less than a minute, and it may automatically qualify you for some scholarships.
It’s important to search for scholarships early and often, apply for more than one scholarship, and know scholarship deadlines. At EIU, many scholarships become available on November 1 for the next Fall semester, and most have a deadline of March 15. We encourage you to apply for as many scholarships as you can.
To learn more about scholarships at EIU, go to our EIU Scholarships website. Following the suggested timeline is highly encouraged, but as long as the scholarship deadline has not passed, you are encouraged to apply for it. You can also contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 217-581-6405 or finaid@eiu.edu.
Below you will find a list of scholarships available for first-generation students. Please note that you can apply for other scholarships, but the ones below give special preference to first-generation students.
This scholarship is for full-time or part-time students majoring in a program leading to Teacher Certification. If you are interested in applying, you must be in good academic standing.
Preference is given to:
The scholarship application includes an essay stating your financial need (if any), your educational goals, and how majoring in an Education program will benefit you and society. You will also be asked to upload a current resume.
This award is announced in the spring semester and awarded in the following fall semester.
Dr. William V. Weber Minority Affairs/TRiO Retention Fund
This scholarship is for undergraduate students in TRiO with a 3.0 GPA who qualify for financial aid. Preference is given to first-generation students, minority students (including members of the LGBTQ+ community), and TRiO students. To be eligible, you must be nominated by a TRiO Program advisor, TRiO Program staff member, or TRiO Program academic mentor who has worked with you.
The scholarship application includes an essay on how you feel that you have gone the extra mile as a student. For example, you could write about extra work you have done to improve your work and show exemplary dedication and initiative in continuing your education.
This award is announced in the spring semester and awarded in the following fall semester. If you receive the award, you can reapply if you meet the scholarship’s criteria.
To learn more about TRiO, click here.
Dr. William V. Weber Study Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship is for students with financial need who want to study abroad. Preference is given to students from underrepresented groups and first-generation students. If you are interested in applying, you must be in good academic standing and qualify for financial aid.
The scholarship application includes two questions and has no essay requirement. The scholarship application also asks you to enter your study abroad application ID number, which is automatically generated as soon as you start your study abroad program application. To begin applying for this scholarship, you do not need to be finished with your study abroad program application, but eventually you do need to be officially admitted to a program to be considered.
If you receive the scholarship award and want to reapply, you may do so as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.
To learn more about studying abroad, click here.
Drake-Regan First Generation Scholarship
This scholarship is for full-time students with financial need. If you are interested in applying, you must be in good academic standing.
The scholarship application has three yes/no questions and no essay requirement.
The award is announced in the spring semester and awarded during the following fall and spring semesters.
Education Students Assistance Fund
This scholarship is for students majoring in Education who may need assistance with any external costs that resulted from pursuing their degree, such as licensure fees. Eligible students must be a student of color, a first-generation student, OR a Pell-eligible student. If you are interested in applying, you must also have financial need. There is no GPA or credit hour requirement for this scholarship.
If you receive this scholarship, the College of Education will directly pay your fees, so it will not go towards your student account directly.
Esther Brothers Elmore Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for full-time juniors and seniors who are in the College of Health and Human Services. Preference is given to students who have participated in an event hosted by WEB@, students who were adopted or in the foster care system, or first-generation students. Financial need is a requirement.
The application asks you to identify the qualities of an outstanding professional in Family and Consumer Sciences. It also asks you to upload a current resume. The application also includes a maximum of a two-page essay on one of the following topics:
This award is announced and awarded during the fall semester.
This scholarship is for new graduate students who are enrolled in at least 6 graduate credit hours during the spring or summer semesters and do not have a graduate assistantship. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a first-generation graduate student, a graduate student with financial need, OR a graduate student from an underrepresented community. If you are interested in applying, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
The application includes two yes/no questions and has no essay requirement.
The deadline for this scholarship is not determined. June 30 is the current estimated deadline, but it may change at any time.
Jeanne and Donald Tingley Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is for full-time students majoring in History. Preference is given to first-generation incoming freshmen or new transfer students, and financial need is considered when choosing a recipient.
The scholarship application includes one yes/no question and has no essay requirement.
This scholarship is awarded for fall and spring semesters.
Judy and Douglas Davis Physics Scholarship
This scholarship is for full-time students majoring in Physics. Preference is given to first-generation students.
The award is announced in the spring semester and awarded during the fall semester.
Messer Family Scholarship In Technology
This scholarship is for full-time students majoring in Industrial Technology, Technology Education or an equivalent degree program. Preference is given to first-generation students.
If you are interested in applying, you must…
The scholarship includes two yes/no questions and has no essay requirement.
This award is announced in the spring semester and awarded in the fall semester. If you receive the award, you can reapply if you continue to meet the criteria stated above.