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