Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration at Western Illinois University

Scholarships

A wide variety of scholarships is available to students in the Department of RPTA. Contact the RPTA Undergraduate Advisor (309/298–1967 or by email) for details on the scholarship opportunities listed below, including application materials. Check the monthly RPTA News for announcements of additional scholarship possibilities related to professional meetings and training. And contact the Financial Aid office for information on other scholarships and financial assistance at Western Illinois University.

Scholarships marked with an asterisk are awarded by faculty nomination or other invitation only. Students apply for the remaining scholarships. The following list is organized by the dates when applications or nominations are due.

Student Recreation Society (SRS) Conference Scholarship
Due date: Ongoing
Amount: Varies
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA undergraduate, member of SRS, & a member of organization hosting the conference.
Approval: SRS
Clayton/Westgate Professional Development Scholarship
Due date: Ongoing
Amount: Varies
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA undergraduate, have a 2.5 overall GPA & 3.0 GPA in the major, & be a member of the organization hosting the conference.
Approval: RPTA Scholarship Committee
Richard S. Westgate Professional Service Award*
Due date: September
Amount: $500
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with 90 or more credit hours, have a 3.00 GPA, & demonstrate involvement at the department, college, or university level. Eligible students are invited to apply by the RPTA Scholarship Committee Chair.
Approval: RPTA faculty
Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award*
Due date: September
Amount: $150
Eligibility & Criteria: Overall excellence in curricular & extracurricular activities. Must be a senior graduating December, May, or July. By nomination.
Approval: Preliminary selection in the Department, which forwards one nominee to the College. The College then selects one student from the departmental nominees and forwards that student’s credentials to the University. Final selection is made at the University level.
Southern Illinois Park & Recreation Association Undergraduate & Graduate Student Scholarship
Due date: September
Amount: $1000
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be enrolled in a recreation studies curriculum, with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA & 3.25 GPA in major. Two $1000 awards given each year statewide.
Macomb Park District Brenda Sayre Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Scholarship
Due date: October
Amount: Expenses for attending IPRA state conference
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA undergraduate & member of IPRA or IAPD. GPA is considered.
Approval: Macomb Park District
Department Scholar Award (Fall Semester)
Due date: October
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with a minimum 3.3 GPA, have completed 30 credit hours prior to the current term, & a fall semester graduate.
Approval: RPTA Scholarship Committee
College of Education & Human Services (COEHS) Scholar Award (Fall Semester)*
Due date: October
Amount: $150
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with a minimum 3.6 GPA, have completed 30 hours prior to current term, & a fall semester graduate. Nominated by Department.
Approval: COEHS Scholarship Committee
Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Society (ITRS) Award*
Due date: November
Amount: $200
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA major with a concentration in therapeutic recreation & a member of IPRA. Must be nominated by the RPTA department. The award is presented in January at the IPRA Conference.
Approval: ITRS Awards Committee
Rezab Spring Internship Recognition Awards
Due date: December 1
Amount: $200
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be undergraduate RPTA major doing an internship in the spring semester. The award is intended to help defray costs associated with an internship.
Approval: RPTA Department Chair & Intern Coordinator
Frank D. Lupton Outdoor Recreation Consortium Scholarship
Due date: February 1
Amount: Expenses associated with participation in Outdoor Recreation Consortium at Smokey Mountains National Park.
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in RPTA 378 & participate in the Consortium.
Approval: RPTA Scholarship Committee
Illinois Park & Recreation Foundation (IPRF) IPRA Scholarship
Due date: February / March
Amount: $500 – $1500
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a currently enrolled RPTA undergraduate or graduate student, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, & be a member of IPRA.
Approval: IPRA Awards Committee
The Yvonne & Frank Lupton ECOEE Scholarship
Due date: March 1
Amount: $200 – $1000
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be RPTA undergraduate or graduate student, accepted for participation in ECOEE acceptance, have earned 30 WIU semester hours prior to trip, and have junior or senior standing.
Approval: ECOEE Coordinator & Department Chair
Rezab Summer / Fall Internship Recognition Awards
Due date: March 1
Amount: $200
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be undergraduate RPTA major doing an internship during the summer session or fall semester. The award is intended to help defray costs associated with an internship.
Approval: RPTA Department Chair & Intern Coordinator
Anita H. Magafas Nontraditional Student Award
Due date: April 1
Amount: $100
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be RPTA undergraduate, be 25 years or older, have a 3.0 GPA, have senior standing, and demonstrate financial need.
Approval: RPTA Scholarship Committee
Dean’s Nontraditional Scholarship (COEHS)
Due date: April 1
Amount: $500
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be undergraduate or graduate student majoring in a department within COEHS, have a 3.00 GPA, demonstrate financial need, & be over 25 years old. Applications available COEHS Dean’s Office, 76 Horrabin Hall.
Approval: COEHS Scholarship Committee
Developing Scholar Award*
Due date: April
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA major, demonstrate academic excellence & involvement in the Department, College, University, or community; and be a freshman or sophomore. Presented during the annual Professional Development Conference.
Approval: RPTA faculty
Arthur F. Clayton Award*
Due date: April
Amount: $250
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with over 90 semester hours & demonstrate outstanding potential for advancement in the field. Presented during the annual Professional Development Conference.
Approval: RPTA faculty
Outstanding Senior Award*
Due date: April
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with over 90 semester hours, demonstrate academic excellence, & demonstrate involvement on campus or in the community. Presented during the annual Professional Development Conference.
Approval: RPTA faculty
Outstanding Graduate Student Award*
Due date: April
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA major, have a minimu 3.6 GPA, & have earned 12 graduate semester hours prior to current spring semester. Presented during the annual Professional Development Conference.
Approval: RPTA faculty
Department Scholar Award (Spring/Summer Semester)
Due date: April
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with a minimum 3.3 GPA, have completed 30 credit hours prior to the current term, & a spring or summer graduate.
Approval: RPTA Scholarship Commitee
College of Education & Human Services (COEHS) Scholar Award (Spring/Summer)*
Due date: April
Amount: $150
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA senior with a minimum 3.6 GPA, have completed 30 hours prior to current term, & a spring or summer graduate. Nominated by Department.
Approval: COEHS Scholarship Committee
National Therapeutic Recreation Socity (NTRS) Edith Ball Scholarship*
Due date: May 15
Amount: $500
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a NTRS member, a therapeutic recreation major or a RPTA major with a concentration in therapeutic recreation, have junior or senior standing, a 3.3 GPA overall, & a 3.5 in the major. Must demonstrate leadership & involvement on campus or in the community. Presented during the annual National Recreation & Park Association Congress at the awards luncheon.
Approval: NTRS Awards Committee
The Armed Forces Recreation Society (AFRS) Student Scholarship*
Due date: June
Amount: $500
Eligibility & Criteria: Must be a RPTA major, demonstrate leadership, have a 2.5 GPA overall, have a 3.0 GPA in major, have earned a minimum 30 semester hours, including at least 6 semester hours in the major, & and must be a member of a related professional organization.
Approval: AFRS Awards Committee