An Introduction to Major Scholarships at SIU

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A collage of past Scholars
                                                              Our past Major Scholarship Winners

You may be eligible for one or more nationally competitive scholarships, and the University Honors Office is prepared to help you achieve your goals. Please make your interest known to your Honors Mentor. Because these applications are very labor-intensive, significant preparation is advised beginning in your freshman and sophomore years.  Students who compete for these scholarships may be able to use their applications as the basis for graduate or professional school applications.

You should also consider applying to join UHON 111:  The Honors Colloquium, a class offered in the Spring semester every year. This course will introduce you to the resources and opportunities on the SIU campus to help prepare you to apply for major scholarships in your area of interest.  Selected participants will refine the breadth of skills needed when applying for major scholarships, graduate, internship, and professional school applications.  These include crafting your personal essays, developing interview skills, and researching major scholarships and research opportunities.  The basic requirements for the application are:

  • 3.7 cumulative GPA*
  • Desire and ability to be an exemplar in the University Honors Program
  • A demonstrated commitment to service and research
  • Planning to enroll in Graduate School

Please contact Elizabeth Donoghue at elizabeth.donoghue@siu.edu or Morris 184D for application materials and instruction.

*Students with under 3.7 GPA may be eligible with permission.

Please review these suggested prestigious scholarships, and see if one might be the right fit for you!

Major scholarships – University honors program 2024-25
Scholarship Who Award Deadlines* Details
Boren Freshman, Sophomores & Juniors up to $20,000 depending on study length Early February Study abroad, security, preference on critical lang. & areas, 1yr paid post award service requirement.
Critical Language Scholarship Sophomores & Juniors Covers cost of travel and program. November 14th Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State to cultivate language acquisition in foreign countries.
Carnegie Jr. Fellow Seniors 1 year position $39,500 Campus nominating process begins in October Preference to those studying fields related to political science and global peace studies.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange) Seniors Funds travel and stipend for Master Program in Germany August 30th Open to all disciplines. Requires entry into German university. Funding includes travel, stipend, insurance but not tuition.
Fulbright Award Seniors Travel, living expenses & more October 8th Study abroad, variety of areas of study.
Gilman International Scholarship Undergraduates receiving Pell Grant Up to $8,000 October 10th Study abroad, diverse language & culture study
Goldwater Sophomores & Juniors $7,500 January 24th STEM field major, excellent grades, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in STEM
Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Sophomores $9,500 - 2 years & paid NOAA internship September 1st NOAA program related from environmental to hydrology, physics, and engineering.
Knight-Hennessy Seniors Funds graduate study at Stanford University October 9th Selection is based on admission to Stanford, independence of thought, purposeful leadership and civic mindset.
Madison Fellowship Seniors $24,000 towards graduate study March 1st For individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level.
Marshall Scholarship Seniors Travel, tuition, living expenses for UK study September 24th Awards based on academic merit, leadership, and ambassadorial potential.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Juniors & Seniors Up to $46,000 covering tuition & stipend mid to late October (depending on discipline) STEM with research-based plan to obtain Master or Ph.D.
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Freshman, Sophomores & Juniors Funds summer research at host institution Varies depending on program and host institution Supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation.
Rangel Summer Enrichment Program Sophomores & Juniors Six-week summer program hosted at Howard University February 3rd Provides undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs
Rhodes Scholarship Junior or Senior (18-23yrs) Fees and stipend for study at Oxford University October 4th The oldest and most prestigious international scholarship program in the world.
Rotary Peace Fellowship Seniors Covers all cost for master’s program and/or internship and field-study expenses February 2026 For dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of the Rotary peace centers or embark on individual program, internship, or field study.
Schwarzman Seniors Fully funds one year master’s program in Beijing September 12th Designed to build a global community of future leaders who will serve to deepen understanding between China and the rest of the world.
Soros Seniors Funds one or two years of graduate study up to $90,000 October 31st Supports New Americans, immigrants, or the children of immigrants, who are pursuing graduate school in the United States.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Juniors $30,000 toward graduate study February 4th Graduate school plan in public service field. Record of service and commitment to issue.
Udall Scholarship Sophomore or junior $7,000 January 31st Commitment to career related to environment, and/or Native American issue
UK Fulbright Freshman and Sophomores Funds costs of UK summer program February 3rd Three-to-four-week programs for US undergraduate students, who have no or very little travel experience outside North America.

* All dates are national deadlines. Work and advisement on major scholarships begin months (in some cases, years) prior to the deadline. See Elizabeth Donoghue as soon as you identify your interest in applying for a major scholarship.