College of Arts and Sciences

Scholarships for the Department of Political Science 

Scholarship Application

Please consider donating to one or more of these worthwhile scholarships. To donate please go to the WIU Foundation Office and we thank you for your willingness to support our outstanding students!

Charles A. Leonard Memorial Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Political Science major
  • Freshman, sophomore or junior
  • Demonstrated outstanding contributions to the field of Political Science

Terms:

Award amount (~$1,000 - $1,500) is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment.

Selection Process:

The Department of Political Science Scholarship Committee. 

Application and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL  61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Is the Award or Scholarship Renewable?

No

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Clarence E. Neff Memorial Scholarship Fund

Criteria:

  • Must be a junior, senior or transfer student majoring in Agriculture or Political Science
  • Minimum 3.25 GPA 
  • Must reside in the 17th Congressional District
  • Financial need will be considered

Terms:

The amount of the award (~$500) will be based on availability of funds and will be applied to the student's university account. The amount of the award will be divided equally between the School of Agriculture and the Department of Political Science, who will each select a recipient from their respective department.

Selection Process:

Final selection will be determined by the School of Agriculture and Department of Political Science scholarship committees

Applications:

Applications may be obtained from the websites of the School of Agriculture or the Department of Political Science.

Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
School of Agriculture
Knoblauch Hall 145
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL  61455
(309) 298-1080

or

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL  61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

Student must continue to meet the criteria prescribed above

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The Dan Webb Political Science Internship Award

Criteria:

  • Be a political science major
  • Have completed junior status
  • Have completed 12 s.h. of political science classes
  • Hold at least a 2.75 GPA
  • Be in good judicial standing at the university
  • Applicants will meet the normal requirements for Political Science 402, which include:
    1. Completing 100 hours of work (for three hours credit) at the designated job site
    2. Keeping a journal documenting both hours worked and reflections
    3. Completing a reading assignment, to be determined by the faculty supervisor
    4. Writing a paper on a topic related to the internship
    5. Giving a presentation to her/his peers about her/his experiences during the following Fall semester, as a recruiting opportunity for future interns
  • Each recipient will need to register for Political Science 402, and will be supervised by the Department Chair or relevant faculty member

Terms:

Internship stipends will vary based on the amount of interest available from the fund. 

Additional Comments:

Students who do not complete Political Science 402 will be required to refund the stipend to the university.

Selection Process:

Applications will be judged by the Department of Political Science Scholarship Committee, which will be responsible for determining whether funding will be approved, and at what level.

Applications:

In addition to completing an application form to verify the above, applicants will also be asked to submit:

  • a resume that includes a list of extracurricular activities
  • a short application essay detailing reasons that the internship will enrich their academic work and/or enhance their career prospects, as well as why funding is necessary to pursue the internship
  • a writing sample in the form of an already-completed class paper that has been submitted for credit
  • a proposed budget outlining living and other necessary expenses that will be incurred as part of the internship
  • evidence that the internship has been offered to the student and that it is a credible internship related to government or politics

Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Deadline for Application:

Summer applications are due by April 30; Fall applications are due by August 1; Spring applications are due by December 1

Is this Award/Scholarship Renewable?

No

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Donald L. Marshall Scholarship

Criteria

  • Must be a new entering transfer student
  • Must be a declared Political Science major
  • Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA from the previously attended institution

Term:

Award amount (~$1,000 - $3,000) is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment

Selection Process:

The Political Science Department Scholarship Committee 

Application and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Is this Award/Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

This scholarship is renewable for a second year if the recipient remains a declared major in the Department of Political Science and maintains a 3.0 or better cumulative GPA

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Marcy and Lulu Bodine Fund

Criteria:

  • Entering freshman
  • Minimum composite ACT 27 and upper 1/3 class rank of high school graduating class
  • Declared Political Science major
  • Demonstrated service through high school activities and community service

Terms:

Award amount (minimum of $300) will be determined by annual interest earnings on the endowment.

Selection Process:  

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Political Science scholarship committee. 

Application and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Is this Award/Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

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Phyllis Rippey Best Paper Competition

Criteria:

  • Participation in Undergraduate Research Day
  • Submission of the paper to the Chair of the Department of Political Science

Terms:

Award amount ($150) is determined by the department and submitted to the Foundation Office via DPA

Selection Process:

The Chair of the Department of Political Science will judge the papers based on depth of research, writing skill and original thought. Winners will be notified by the department and students will be responsible for any taxes associated with the prize. 

Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

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Political Science Scholarship

Criteria:

First Preference: 

  • Entering freshman
  • McDonough County resident
  • Minimum composite ACT 27 and minimum high school GPA of 3.2

Second Preference:

  • Sophomore, junior or new transfer student
  • Minimum 3.2 GPA

Terms:

Award amount will be determined by annual interest earnings on the endowment

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Political Science Scholarship Committee

Application and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Is this Award/Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

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Roland P. Burke Scholarship in Political Science

Criteria:

  • The Primary recipient of this scholarship will be a junior in good standing with a minimum 3.25 GPA
  • Interest in a career associated with Political Science or municipal government
  • Preferences will be given to students who are an underrepresented minority with financial need and a desire to work in the field of Political Science

Terms:

Award amount (minimum of $1,000) will be determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment

Selection process:

Recipient will be selected by the Political Science Scholarship Committee

Application and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Political Science
Morgan Hall 422
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-1055
p-science@wiu.edu

Is this Award/Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

This scholarship may be renewable for the senior year if the student is making satisfactory academic progress

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