Illinois State University Scholarships: A Guide for International Students

For international students aspiring to study at Illinois State University (ISU), understanding the available financial aid options is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scholarships and financial resources specifically tailored for international students at ISU, along with guidance on navigating the financial aspects of studying in the United States.

Funding Your Education as an International Student

International students are required to demonstrate they possess the financial resources to cover their educational program and living expenses throughout their studies in order to obtain a student visa.

Scholarship Opportunities at Illinois State University

Illinois State University and external organizations offer various scholarship opportunities.

Office of International Engagement (OIE) Tuition Waiver

The Office of International Engagement (OIE) at Illinois State University provides a merit-based partial tuition waiver to continuing degree-seeking undergraduate international students. The waiver can be up to $5,000 USD per semester, applied directly to tuition costs. This award is funded by the Provost’s Office and is granted each semester to an undergraduate international student demonstrating contributions to the internationalization of the campus and community through involvement in International House programs.

Lucy Jen Huang Hickrod Award

Established in 1987 by G. Alan Hickrod in memory of his wife, Lucy Jen Huang Hickrod, this award supports promising Chinese graduate students. Ideal candidates have a record of academic excellence, outstanding career goals, and demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students from the People’s Republic of China.

Betty Plummer Outstanding Senior Scholarship

Betty and Mark Plummer established The Betty Plummer Outstanding Senior Scholarship in 1998 to honor international students at Illinois State University who show an outstanding commitment to international programs while enrolled as ISU students and demonstrate promise in their post-graduation plans. The Plummers intend that the money received from this annual scholarship assist graduating undergraduate international students in successfully adjusting to the next phase of their lives. Betty Plummer received a Master’s degree in English from Illinois State in 1969, then taught freshman English for two years. Betty also spent some time overseas in Germany and Taiwan. In 1978 Betty was in charge of Foreign Admissions at Illinois State and three years later was made Coordinator of Foreign Student and Scholar Services. She was in this position for 13 years until her retirement in 1994. Betty felt that everything really came together for her with time spent overseas and in her positions at the University. She enjoyed her work with international students and especially with the establishment of the first exchange program of any American university with China - a program with the Foreign Languages Publishing and Distribution Administration. Betty received the Distinguished Administrative-Professional Award from the University in 1994 for her work with international students and with people inside and outside the university.

Marilyn M. Boyd Memorial Scholarship

The Marilyn M. Boyd Memorial Scholarship continues Marilyn Boyd’s (Coordinator of the International House Program from 1982 to 2006) legacy of international education and supports students who participate in the International House Program.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Several academic departments offer their own departmental scholarships or tuition waivers. International students should also explore off-campus scholarship opportunities.

External Scholarship Resources

Various universities and colleges in Illinois offer scholarships to international students:

Western Illinois University: Offers general scholarships and international student-specific scholarships, including the International Commitment Scholarship (up to $3,000 per semester). Opportunities are available for incoming freshmen, graduate students, current students, and transfer students.
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale: Provides scholarships for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and current students. Incoming freshmen can apply for the Dean’s Scholarship and two competitive scholarships: the Chancellor’s Scholarship and University Excellence Scholarship. The university also provides access to the Online Scholarship Opportunity Manager.
Danville Area Community College (DACC): Offers resources and support for finding scholarships through its Foundation office and provides information on external scholarship opportunities.
College of Lake County: The Center for International Education offers four different scholarships for international students: the Infantino-Percake Family Memorial Scholarship, Richard and Annette Galla Scholarship, Jim Reinemann Memorial Scholarship, and the Susan Smith International Student Scholarship. The Center also provides outside resources for additional scholarship searches.
Illinois Tech: Offers institutional scholarships to international students ranging from $40,000-$100,000 over four years of undergraduate study. International first-year and transfer students are eligible for a combination of scholarship and grant packages.
M. A. and Lila Self Leadership Academy Scholars: A distinguished and prestigious award given to the top applicants to the university who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential.
Illinois Tech World Robot Olympiad Scholarship: WRO scholars are eligible for an institutional scholarship award of $25,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study (five years for architecture).
Dimiter Etimov Scholarship: Bulgarian citizens who are accepted for admission to an Illinois Tech undergraduate program may apply for the Dimiter Etimov Scholarship.

Additional Financial Aid Programs in Illinois

Illinois offers several state-funded programs that may be applicable to some international students, depending on their specific circumstances:

Read also: Guide to Illinois Educator Pay

Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois: Offers awards of up to $23,000 to students pursuing careers in teaching in Illinois.
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program: A state program for undergraduate and graduate students who plan to teach in Illinois at an underserved school district.
Illinois Police and Fire Officer Survivor's Grant Program: A state program for individuals who is the spouse or child of an Illinois police or fire officer who was killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty.
Illinois Correctional Officer's Survivor Grant Program: A state program for individuals who is the spouse or child of an Illinois correctional officer who was killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty.
Illinois National Guard Grant: A state program for individuals pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, who are active members of the Illinois National Guard (Army or Air).
Dependents of Energy Workers Scholarship: A state program for children (biological, adoptive, and stepchildren) of an energy worker (parent) who has lost employment due to reduced operation or closure of a fossil fuel power plant or coal mine.
The Lopez and Navarro Scholarship: Intended to provide financial assistance to support undocumented and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students in their dream of receiving a college degree.
Senior Citizen Courses Act: Permits senior citizens over 65 to enroll in regularly scheduled credit courses at public higher education institutions without payment of tuition.

On-Campus Employment Opportunities

F-1 and J-1 international students can earn extra income by working on campus. Inquire in-person about employment opportunities. International students are permitted to work off-campus if the work is related to their program of study and they have prior authorization from ISSS. F-1 students who have completed one full academic year may be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and J-1 students may be eligible for Academic Training (AT).

Severe Economic Hardship Employment

To qualify for Severe Economic Hardship employment authorization, you must have already completed one full academic year (Fall and Spring semester) and have documented evidence of the unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, as well as evidence of your attempt to secure on-campus employment. Severe Economic Hardship is recommended by ISSS (through the creation of a new I-20 document) and authorized by USCIS.

Career Services

Cultural and legal standards for resumes and interviews can vary by country. The Career Services at Illinois State offers a variety of services for students to help build your resume, prepare for your interview, and explore your career options.

Navigating the Scholarship Search

Scholarships.com: Creating an account on Scholarships.com allows you to input your demographics and get matched with eligible scholarships, including those specific to Illinois students.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Many Illinois scholarships require applicants to have a FAFSA on file. Submitting the FAFSA does not require you to take out student loans, it simply allows the government to assess your financial circumstances.

Read also: Illinois Transfer Application

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