English

English Scholarships

Award Terms and Selection

  • Terms: Unless a specific amount is listed, award amounts are determined by annual interest earnings from each endowment.
  • Selection: Applicants are selected by the Department of English Scholarship Committee.
  • Please note: Students will be considered for all awards for which they are eligible based on the application materials submitted.
  • Questions: Please contact the Department of English for additional information.

How To Apply

Visit the WIU Scholarship Portal to explore multiple scholarship opportunities.

Follow these steps to search scholarships specific to English majors.

  1. Go to the WIU Scholarship Portal
  2. Click the Show Filters Button in the top right
  3. In the Search by Keyword Box type English
  4. Click the Filter Opportunities Button

Alfred J. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship

The Alfred J. Lindsey Memorial Scholarship was established by Mary K. Crain, graduate of Western, to honor her nephew, Alfred J. Lindsey, professor emeritus of WIU at the time of his death. CRITERIA: Undergraduate: Major in English or English education, Completed at least 60 semester hours by the end of the spring semester, Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA in major and minor. Graduate: Minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA, Demonstrate contributions to, and excellence in, the field of English or English education.


C. John Mahoney English Graduate Fellowship

The Graduate Fellowship in English was established by the English and Journalism Department. The fellowship award is to be used to support academic project(s) not easily facilitated on campus due to limitations of faculty, resources, setting, or other. CRITERIA: The recipient must be a student who has completed at least one semester of work in the Department of English and Journalism. If the recipient is holding a teaching assistantship in the department she/he must have completed at least six hours. If the recipient is holding a graduate assistantship in the department she/he must have completed at least nine hours, The recipient must have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA.


Dr. Irving Garwood Shakespearean Scholarship

The Dr. Irving Garwood Shakespearian Award was established by Mrs. Garwood in memory of her late husband, who was Chair of the English Departmentat WIU from 1924 to 1946. CRITERIA: Junior or senior; Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA; Must manifest an exceptional interest in Shakespeare; Recommended by a member of the Department of English and Journalism Shakespearean faculty.


Dr. Paul W. Blackford Scholarship

Dr. Paul W. Blackford was a professor in the English department from 1960 until his retirement in 1974. CRITERIA: Enrolled full time, English major, Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, Courses in British Literature, Recommended by a member of the British Literature faculty.


Drs. Nai-Tung and Lee Hsia Ting English Scholarship

The Drs. Nai-Tung and Lee-Hsia Ting English Scholarship was established by family and friends in memory of Dr. Nai-Tung Ting. CRITERIA: Undergraduate or graduate majoring in English, Undergraduate must be junior class standing with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA, Entering and current graduate students must have a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA, Demonstrate outstanding contribution to the field of English. Preference given to students enrolled at WIU from mainland China.


English Department Scholar of the Year

The English Department Scholar of the Year Award was established by the WIU English Department to recognize an outstanding English Department scholar on an annual basis. CRITERIA: Junior or senior English, English Education, or Journalism major, Must have an outstanding GPA, Evidence of commitment to the field of study outside the classroom (membership in English student clubs, etc.) desirable but not mandatory.


John and Barbara Blackburn Scholarship

This scholarship was established by John and Barbara Blackburn. CRITERIA: Junior or senior class level, English major enrolled at WIU, Minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA, Financial need is a consideration. Preference will be given to those who plan to teach at the elementary or secondary levels and can document community service and/or active involvement in university activities.


Dr. John Castle Memorial Scholarship

The John Castle Memorial Scholarship was established by Mrs. Pat Castle in memory of her husband, Dr. John F. Castle. CRITERIA: The applicant must be a freshman who plans to major in English and has a composite ACT score of 26 or better and a sub score in English of 27 or better. The recipient is expected to be a full time (12 semester hours) student. This scholarship may be awarded in two ways: a fall semester recipient or a spring recipient, The fall applicant must be a freshman who has a composite ACT score of 26 or better and a sub score in English of 27 or better. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better. In the event there is no recipient in the fall, then a spring semester freshman may apply, The spring semester applicant must be a second semester freshman at Western who had a composite ACT score of 26 or better and a sub score in English of 27 or better. The cumulative grade point average for the first semester must be at least a 3.0 and 3.0 or better in the English course(s) taken at Western is also required.


John Merrett Scholarship in English Literature

The John Merrett Scholarship in English Literature was established by Mr. John Merrett, for the purpose of encouraging the study of English Literature by students at Western Illinois University. CRITERIA: Applicants must be upper classmen or graduate students majoring in literature and making acceptable progress toward a degree, An original essay written on a topic in English Literature must be submitted with the application, Grade point average, Financial need, and personal potential will be taken into consideration.


Lila S. Linder English Scholarship

The Lila S. Linder English Scholarship was established by Dr. Roscoe G. Linder in honor of his wife, Lila S. Linder. CRITERIA: Female student majoring in English, Sophomore standing achieved through continuous full-time attendance at Western, Demonstrated dependability, leadership, and service, Achievement and maintenance of academic excellence or a demonstration of steady improvement and service showing potential for growth in English composition, creative writing, speech, or other areas of the English curriculum.


Lila S. Linder English II Scholarship

The Lila S. Linder English II Scholarship was established in honor of his wife, Lila, a former English professor at Western Illinois University during the 1940’s. CRITERIA: Male student majoring in English, Sophomore standing achieved through continuous full-time attendance at Western, Demonstrated dependability, leadership, and service, Achievement and maintenance of academic excellence or a demonstration of steady improvement and service showing potential for growth in English composition, creative writing, speech, or other areas of the English curriculum.


Olive Fite American Literature Scholarship

The Olive Fite American Literature Scholarship was established through contributions to the Department of English for English majors studying American Literature, and to honor the distinguished career of Dr. Olive Fite. CRITERIA: English major; Have completed at least 6 semester hours of American Literature courses; Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; Recommended by a member of the American Literature faculty; Two letters of recommendation are required.


Robert L. Hodges English Education Scholarship

This fund was created upon the death of Robert L. Hodges. CRITERIA: Undergraduate, English education major with proven commitment to working towards a degree, Aspire to teach English Literature or English language at a public school, Financial need, GPA of 2.5 – 3.2 on a 4.0 grade point scale.


The Ron and Leslie Walker Graduate Fellowships

This award is funded by Dr. Ronald “Ron” and Leslie Walker. CRITERIA: Graduate student who has completed no fewer than 12 and no more than 18 semester hours of English at the graduate level by the end of the spring term. Student must continue in the graduate program in the subsequent fall term. Submit a substantial written sample of the student's work on the graduate level.


The Sig, Jeanette and Dean Johnson Scholarship in English

This scholarship was created by Dean Johnson to honor his parents, Sig and Jeanette, who were influential in encouraging his education and professional career. CRITERIA: One scholarship will be given to: An undergraduate student majoring in English or and undergraduate student majoring in Journalism, Minimum 3.0 GPA at WIU or transfer 3.0 GPA for new transfers, An essay submitted from an English or Journalism class, A record of outstanding contributions to the success of the English and Journalism Departments/ or a departmental student organization, Contributions to the success of university student organizations (including athletic teams) and university-wide activities will also be taken into account. Preference is for an underrepresented minority who has proven financial need.


Beth M Stiffler Scholarship

This account was established in honor of Dr. Beth M. Stiffler. CRITERIA: Junior English education major preparing for a career in teaching, Must show exceptional promise for success as a teacher by meeting the following criteria: Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA, Recommendation from a teacher of either English 384 or 439, Recommendation from one other faculty member, Submit a writing sample from English education course, Have been accepted in the Teacher Education Program.


Richard T. Thornberry Scholarship - English

The Graduate Committee of the Department of English will review the applications and send a ranked list of three candidates to the departmental Scholarship Committee. Not renewable. Half applied to fall semester and half applied to spring semester. Contact the Department of English for additional information.

Criteria:

  • English graduate student
  • Applicants must be graduate students who have completed at least one semester of graduate work at WIU
  • Each applicant will submit a graduate-level paper with his/her application, along with a letter from the faculty member for whom the paper was write, and one additional letter of recommendation
  • The award will be granted on the basis of the paper, graduate grade point average and letter of recommendation

The Karen Mann Essay Award

Not renewable. This is an annual writing contest. New submissions will be judged each year.

Criteria:

  • English major or minor, or Film minor
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Junior or senior standing
  • Must submit original essay written for a class in British or European literature or film. Submission of essay to the WIU English Department will serve as application. Contact the Department of English for the approved format for submission of writing sample.

Syndy M. Conger Essay Award

The award is given to the best formal academic paper written by a WIU undergraduate or graduate student for a course in the English Department. Drs. Syndy and James Conger hope this award will inspire recipients to value the many uses of language and to help them invest in their future with a major book purchase, an application fee or a research trip. Award recipient is selected through the Department of English Graduate Committee. Contact the Department of English for additional information.


Wanninger Family Scholarship

Not renewable. The scholarship will rotate between the School of Music and the Department of English and selected by the scholarship committee for the specific department. Half applied to fall semester and half applied to spring semester or all in one semester

The candidate must be a full-time student pursuing a degree in either English education or a BA in English, music education or performance in vocal music. Proficiency examinations in performance, history and theory are required of music candidates. The candidate(s) will present a vita and/or application to the appropriate department or the WIU Scholarship Office.

To Apply: English majors should contact the Department of English, and Music majors should contact the School of Music.