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Scholarships

General Information about Awards

Here you will find information on the scholarships given by the Department of Biological Sciences categorized by type.

Please note: many of the scholarships awarded by the department DO NOT require an application form – students are selected by the Biological Sciences Scholarship Committee based on overall GPA and hours attended at WIU. Scholarships that do require an application have a downloadable application form link.

GPA-Based Scholarships – No Application

The following scholarships are awarded by the Scholarship Committee based on overall GPA and the number of hours attended at WIU. Students selected for these scholarships will be notified in mid-Spring semester. We also award an outstanding senior the Mary A. Bennett Award to the outstanding graduating Fall senior.

Roy M. Sallee Award
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Outstanding GPA, Freshman
Major, Other Requirements: Biology Major
Awarded in Spring
Award Amount: Varies

H. D. Waggoner Memorial Award
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Outstanding GPA, Sophomore
Major, Other Requirements: Biology Major
Awarded in Spring
Award Amount: Varies

Mary A. Bennett Award
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Outstanding GPA, Senior
Major, Other Requirements: Biology Major
Awarded in Fall (for Fall graduating Seniors) and Spring
Award Amount: Varies

R. M. Myers Award
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Outstanding GPA, Junior
Major, Other Requirements: Biology
Awarded in Spring
Award Amount: Varies

Jean S. and Roger M. Morrow Award for Biology Education
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Outstanding GPA, Junior
Major, Other Requirements: Biology Education
Awarded in Spring
Award Amount:Varies

Robert Henry Biological Sciences Award for Botany
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Full-time undergraduate majoring in Biology
Major, Other Requirements: Plant Biology / Botany
Awarded in Spring
Award Amount: $150

Samuel L. Singer Award for Microbiology
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Outstanding GPA, Senior
Major, Other Requirements: Microbiology
Awarded in Spring
Award Amount:Varies

Scholarships Requiring an Application*

The following scholarships require an application at varies times of the year. 

P. James Nielsen Scholarship -DEADLINE: MAY 3, 2010

PDF Application Form

Description & Criteria
The P. James Nielsen Scholarship is an award given to graduating Pre-Professional students who will be matriculating to an accredited medical, dental, optometry, or veterinary school in the upcoming fall semester. The awardee will receive $1,000 towards professional school expenses, applied to a special account set up by the WIU Foundation.

The student must have completed at least half of their university credit hours at WIU to qualify. The student’s intention to graduate in Spring 2013 must be on file at the time of application.

The recipient of the scholarship will be selected by the Department of Biological Sciences Scholarship Committee based on the following criteria:

  1. Overall GPA + hours attended at WIU
  2. Pre-professional exam score (MCAT, DAT, OAT, GRE [general])
  3. Evidence of acceptance to a professional school at time of award decision (see below)
  4. Evidence of student participation in civic, community, or college extra-curricular activities
  5. Previous awards and honors received
  6. Strength of student’s personal statement
  7. Strength of letters of recommendation

Scholarship applications and supporting forms must be received by the Biological Sciences Scholarship Committee no later than 12:00 (noon) on Monday, May 4, 2009.

If a student has applied but has not been accepted to a professional school at the time of application, they must supply the committee with evidence of acceptance prior to Wednesday, May 6, 2009, which is when the committee will select the candidate.

The recipient of the P. James Nielsen Scholarship will be informed both by e-mail and in writing.  At that time, further information about the account set up for the awardee will be given.

Any questions about award specifics should be directed to the Chair of the Scholarship Committee.

George M. Ward Scholarship

PDF Application Form

Description & Criteria
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must be majoring in the Department of Biology. Preference will be give to applicants that are concerned about the future of our environment and are planning on pursuing a career in nautral resources conservation. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 hours by the end of the semester of application, have a minumum 3.5 grade point average, and be working at the Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.

Terms: This award shall be for $1000 annually and will be applied to tutition on the student's account, $500 for the fall and spring semesters.

Selection Process: Recipient will be selected by the Western Illinois University Department of Biological Sciences Scholarship Committee.

Additional Comments: Financial need is not a consideration.

Deadline for Application: April 1; recipient will be selected no later than May 1.

This award is RENEWABLE provided that the student maintain a 3.5 grade point average while making satisfactory progress toward degree completion and continue working at the Alice L. Kibbe Life Science Station.

Paul Nollen Biology Honors Scholarship

Description & Criteria
GPA, ACT, Year in School: Junior/Senior; 3.5 or better GPA

Major, Other Requirements: Must major in the Department of Biological Sciences and be in good standing in Department Honors Program

Deadline to Apply: April 1 for senior awards and September 15 for junior awards

Award Amount: Two awards at $1000

Apply to/Contact: Chairperson, Department of Biological Sciences

Comments: Participation in University Honors Program and Department Student Activities is desirable. Financial need not a consideration. Renewable if maintain a 3.5 and Honors Program status.

Scholarships Currently Unavailable

The following scholarships were once offered by the department but have not in recent years. Currently, there are no application forms or information for these awards:

  • Whitetails Unlimited Inc. Scholarship
  • Mary McCutcheon Hofsess Scholarship

Scholarship Committee

Dr. Michael Romano 

Dr. Scott M. Holt

Dr. Thomas Alton