Health Sciences & Social Work

Departmental Scholarships

WIU scholarship programs represent a strong tradition of helping WIU students, and are continually growing, with new scholarships established every year. View the available scholarship opportunties available to students pursuing a degree in Health Sciences or Social Work.

Apply For Scholarships

+ Health Sciences: Undergraduate Scholarships

Willis & Rosemary Zorn Scholarship

The purpose of the Willis & Rosemary Zorn Scholarship is to encourage good students who are committed to educating themselves, have been of service to people and organizations, and have financial need.

Eligibility:
  • Undergraduate Health Science-related majors who have completed fifteen (15) or more total hours at WIU and nine (9) or more hours in departmental courses, and
  • Must have a record of service to people and organizations, and
  • Demonstrate financial need and commitment to self education.
Award:
  • A $500 cash award will be applied to the recipient's University account in the Fall semester
  • A permanent departmental plaque recording the recipient's name and year of presentation
Application information:
  • Deadline for application: March 15

W.I. Taylor Memorial Scholarship

The purpose of the W.I. Taylor Memorial Scholarship is to promote scholarship and professional development among majors and minors in the Department of Health Sciences.

Eligibility:
  • All undergraduate Health Sciences majors and minors are eligible
  • Previous recipients are ineligible
Award:
  • A one-time $200 cash award given to each recipient in the Fall semester
  • A permanent departmental plaque recording the recipient's name and year of presentation
Application information:
  • Deadline for application: March 15

V.F. Lowell Award for Undergraduate Professionalism in Health Sciences

The purpose of the V. F. Lowell Award it to promote the development of undergraduate professionalism by recognizing those students who have made outstanding contributions to the department, university, and their chosen profession.

Eligibility:
  • Must be a major in Public Health, or a Health Services Management-related major in the Department of Health Sciences and Social Work
  • Must have a minimum of 30 semester hours at WIU
  • Previous recipients are eligible to apply
Award:
  • A one-time $750 cash award will be given to the recipient in the Fall semester
  • A permanent departmental plaque recording the recipient's name and year of presentation
Application information:
  • Application deadline: March 15

John H. and Mary M. Leach Scholarship

The Drs. John H. and Mary M. Leach Scholarship was established by department alumni, faculty, and friends in recognition of their contributions to the students and professional community. This scholarship is awarded to an incoming freshman or other undergraduate student enrolled full-time in the Department of Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising, and Hospitality (even years) or in the Department of Health Sciences (odd years).

Eligibility:
  • Incoming Freshman: ACT score of 24 or higher or be in the upper 10% of his/her class
  • Currently enrolled full-time students: Major in the Department of Health Sciences of the Department of Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising, and Hospitality AND earned cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher
Award:
  • $350, depending on the availability of funds
Application information:
  • Application deadline: March 15

Gary & Nancy Brown Scholarship

The purpose of the Gary & Nancy Brown Scholarship is to encourage good students who are committed to educating themselves, minor in Occupational Safety to help attain short and long-term career goals, and have financial need.

Eligibility:
  • Undergraduate majors in the College of Education and Human Services with a minor in Occupational Safety
  • Completion of 90 semester hours by the conclusion of the spring semester
  • Demonstrated financial need, and
  • Earned minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00.
Award:
  • A one-time $500 cash award will be given to the recipient in the Fall semester
Application information:
  • Deadline for application: March 15

Robert Clow Memorial Scholarship

The Robert Clow Memorial Scholarship was established by friends and associates in memory of retired gymnastics coach Robert Clow, who died in October 1979 after serving WIU for 31 years. Because of his active involvement and support for Eta Sigma Gamma, this scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students committed to the health education profession through education, research, and/or service. 

Eligibility:
  • Undergraduate Health Sciences majors and minors are eligible
  • Demonstrated commitment to the health education profession through education, research, and/or service
  • Preference will be given to members of Eta Sigma Gamma
Award:
  • A one-time $150 book award will be given to the recipient(s) in the Fall semester
Application information:
  • Deadline for application: March 15

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+ Health Sciences: Graduate Scholarships

William L. Lakie Scholarship

This scholarship moves to a different department each semester. You will find this scholarship application on the RPTH department website for Spring 2019.

The purpose of the William L. Lakie Scholarship is to promote the development of professionalism in the fields of health, physical education, and recreation by recognizing those graduate students who have demonstrated academic and professional potential in their chosen discipline.

Eligibility:
  • Must be a second semester degree seeking graduate student in the Departments of Health Sciences, Kinesiology, or Recreation, Park, Tourism, and Hospitality
  • Must have full intention of completing the master's degree at Western Illinois University
  • Must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 andmust have completed a minimum of 9 graduate semester hours
  • Must have displayed evidence of extracurricular professional activities
  • Must have demonstrated evidence of leadership qualities in departmental, college, and/or professional activities
Award:
  • $350
  • A recognition certificate
Application information
  • Application deadline: March 15

+ Social Work: All Scholarships

The Department of Health Sciences & Social Work offers a number of scholarship/grant opportunities and scholarly awards.

The Lillian & Florence Snyder Outstanding Social Work Senior Scholarship

This was established by its namesakes and is given annually to one or two social work senior majors. Recipients are chosen by their fellow seniors based on volunteer service and activities.

The Nancy Coney Field Education Grant

Established by the department to honor retired professor Nancy Coney’s dedicated service as both an instructor and practicum coordinator.  The grant benefits students in need of financial assistance in meeting the demands of planning their practicum.

The Danielle Nguyen Memorial Scholarship

Established in the spring of 2003 in memory of Danielle Nguyen, a senior student who was killed in a tragic accident on May 18, 1999, as she was returning from her practicum placement.

Social Work Departmental Scholar Award

Honors academic excellence and dedication to Social Work principles.

College Scholar Nominee

Honors distinguished scholarly performance throughout the academic career.

The Dean and Ellie Zoerink Scholarship

Established in 2015 to recognize a student in Recreation, Park & Tourism Administration or Social Work who is committed to pursuing a career in Human Services and helping the nation's disenfranchised citizens lead independent, productive and meaningful lives.