Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration

RPTA Student Resources
Undergraduate Scholarships

FALL SCHOLARSHIPS

Entering Student Scholarship (Mid September)
Criteria
  • Must be a new student to Western Illinois University the semester that the award is made
  • Must have declared RPTA as his/her major
  • If the student is an incoming freshman, he/she should have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT score of 22
  • If the student is a transfer he/she should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from their previous institution
  • Evidence of involvement in the field of recreation
  • Evidence of involvement in departmental, college, and/or university-wide activities and organizations
Application: Application >>> (Applications due by September 15)

Award: $250
Richard S. Westgate Professional Service Award (Early September)
Criteria
  • RPTA Undergraduate
  • 2.5 Overall GPA
  • 3.0 Major GPA
  • Senior standing with at least two full semesters completed at WIU
  • Evidence of professional involvement in department, college, and/or university-wide activities and organizations
Application: The RPTA Department contacts students who are eligible and provides them with application instructions

Award: $500
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award (Early September)
Criteria
  • RPTA Department Nominates one student to compete at the college level
  • Must be a senior graduating the following May or Summer
  • Should have very high GPA and many involvements. Honors program helps!
  • The award is to honor overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
Application: The RPTA Department contacts the student who is nominated and provides them with application instructions

Award: Varies
Department Scholar (Mid September)
Criteria
  • Must have approved graduation application on file in Registrar’s office for December graduation
  • Must have completed 30 hours of coursework from WIU not counting current term
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher for all WIU work
Application: The RPTA Department selects the recipient based on eligibility

Award: Recognition
College Scholar | Cecile A. Christison Sterrett Award (Mid September)
Criteria
  • RPTA Department nominates an RPTA student
  • Must have approved graduation application on file in Registrar’s office for December graduation
  • Must have completed 30 hours of coursework from WIU not counting current term
  • Must have cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher
  • Student must complete Student Information Sheet and obtain two letters of reference from faculty
Application: The RPTA Department contacts the student who is nominated and provides them with application instructions

Award: Varies
RPTA Student Travel Award - Presenting and Attending (Ongoing)
Criteria are available on the application depending on the award
  • Must be an RPTA undergraduate/graduate student
  • Student must be in good academic standing
  • Criteria are fully explained depending on the award for which a student is applying
Application:  Apply Here  (Applications ongoing)

Presenting Award: $250
 
Attending Award Maximum:  $100
Rezab Spring Internship Recognition Award
Criteria
  • Must be completing an internship during Spring Semester
  • One award given to RPTA student for spring internship
Application: Deadline for application Dec. 1. Contact intern coordinator

Award: $500

SPRING SCHOLARSHIPS

Entering Student Scholarship (Mid February)
Criteria
  • Must be a new student to Western Illinois University the semester that the award is made
  • Must have declared RPTA as his/her major
  • If the student is an incoming freshman, he/she should have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT score of 22
  • If the student is a transfer he/she should have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 from their previous institution
  • Evidence of involvement in the field of recreation
  • Evidence of involvement in departmental, college, and/or university-wide activities and organizations
Application: Apply Here (Applications due by February 15)

Award: $250
Department Scholar (Early February)
Criteria
  • Must have approved graduation application on file in Registrar’s office for December graduation
  • Must have completed 30 hours of coursework from WIU not counting current term
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher for all WIU work
Application: The RPTA Department selects the recipient based on eligibility

Award: Recognition
College Scholar | Cecile A. Christison Sterrett Award (Early February)
Criteria
  • RPTA Department nominates an RPTA student
  • Must have approved graduation application on file in Registrar’s office for December graduation
  • Must have completed 30 hours of coursework from WIU not counting current term
  • Must have cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher
  • Student must complete Student Information Sheet and obtain two letters of reference from faculty
Application: The RPTA Department contacts the student who is nominated and provides them with application instructions

Award: Varies
RPTA Student Travel Awards - Presenting & Attending (Ongoing)
Criteria are available on the application depending on the award
  • Must be an RPTA undergraduate/graduate student
  • Student must be in good academic standing
  • Criteria are fully explained depending on the award for which a student is applying
Application: Apply Here (Applications ongoing)

Presenting Award: $250
 
Attending Award Maximum: $100
Frank D. Lupton Outdoor Recreation Consortium Scholarship
Application: This award is given to students participating in the Outdoor Recreation Consortium course. 
 
Contact the Consortium Advisor. Deadline for application Feb. 1

Award: $250
Outdoor Leadership Minor Scholarship
Criteria
  • Must be an RPTA major
  • Must show evidence of leadership
  • Evidence of involvement in extra-curricular activities in RPTA, COEHS, the University or professional organizations
  • A minimum of 2 semesters at WIU with a minimum of 30 hours earned by the end of the spring semester prior to Outdoor Leadership minor enrollment
  • Financial need will be a determining factor in the final selection
Application: Contact the Outdoor Leadership Minor Advisor to apply

Award: Amount of award varies based upon available funds. Past awards have ranged from $200 to $1,000
Anita Magafas Non-traditional Student Award (mid February)
Criteria
  • Deadline for applications (Friday before spring break). Presented at the PDC Awards.
  • RPTA major
  • Nontraditional student 25 years or older, who has worked/is working full-time job or who is a parent working part-time/studying part-time
  • Senior standing with at least one semester completed at WIU
  • Financial need will be a determining factor in the final selection
Application: The RPTA Department will contact eligible students with instructions regarding how to apply

Award: $100
Rezab Summer or Fall Internship Recognition Award
Criteria
  • Must be completing an internship during Summer or Fall Semester
  • One award given to RPTA student for summer or fall internship
Application: Deadline for application May 1. Contact intern coordinator

Award: $500
Professional Development Conference Awards
PDC Awards:
  • Developing Scholar = Plaque
  • Arthur F. Clayton Award = $250
  • Outstanding Senior Award = Plaque
  • Outstanding Graduate Student Award = Plaque
  • Distinguished Alumni Award = Plaque
  • Distinguished Service Award = Plaque
Application: Recipients are chosen by the RPTA Department
Julie Clayton Hospitality Majors Scholarship Application Form
Criteria
  • Be a junior, senior or fifth year student majoring in Hospitality at Western Illinois University.
  • Have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours in Hospitality.
  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or above.
  • Be a full time student during the scholarship period.
To be eligible, transfer students must:
  • Have completed at least 9 of the required 12 semester hours at Western Illinois University.
  • Have attained a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or above at Western Illinois University.
  • Be a junior, senior, or fifth year student.
  • Be a full time student during the scholarship period.
In addition to completing the application form, the student must submit to the Department Chairperson:
  • Educational history to include transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Three letters of recommendation from
  1. Hospitality faculty person addressing leadership within the Department and university community.
  2. An employer and/or community organization sponsor addressing evidence of service within the employment or civic community.
  3. Another individual addressing evidence of service and leadership. The final selection of the recipient for the JULIE CLAYTON HOSPITALITY MAJORS SCHOLARSHIP will be determined by the Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Department Scholarship Committee. This scholarship is to be awarded annually and may be renewed for the length of continuous enrollment. To receive annual renewal, the student must continue to demonstrate leadership, scholarship, and service as a full time Hospitality major at Western Illinois University, maintain a 2.8 or better cumulative grade point average, and comply with application and documentation requirements.
Application: Apply Here (Applications due by March 15)
Dan and Sheryl Yoder Study Abroad Scholarship
Criteria
  • Undergraduate or Graduate Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration students
  • Must be pursuing a Study Abroad opportunity in Spain only
  • 3.0 GPA or above
  • Applicant must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours
  • Transfer students may apply
  • Financial need is a consideration
  • Applicants must submit a one-page minimum essay answering the following questions:.
    1. Why have you chosen to pursue a study abroad opportunity?
    2. What do you believe will be the benefits you will gain from the experience?
Application: Apply Here (Applications due by March 15)

Award: Award is to be applied directly to the recipient’s student account. Two awards to be provided, $500 each

Selection Process: Recipients will be selected by the RPTA Scholarship Committee, with decisions made in the spring term for the upcoming Study Abroad experience in Spain.
Dan and Sheryl Yoder Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration Scholarship
Criteria
  • Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration major
  • 3.0 GPA or above
  • Applicant must have completed a minimum of 30 semester hours
  • Transfer students may apply
  • Applicants must submit a one-page minimum essay answering the following questions:
    1. What led you to your decision of a career in recreation, park and tourism administration?
    2. How will you give back to others through your personal life and career?
Application: Apply Here (Applications due by March 15)

Award: Award is to be applied directly to the recipient’s student account, separated equally between the fall and spring semesters.
Award amount will be determined by the annual interest rate on the endowment. In any year in which there are no qualified applicants, income may be accumulated or reinvested in the endowment at the discretion of the administrator of the fund.
Illinois Park District Internship Scholarship
Criteria
  • Recreation, Park and Tourism major completing their required internship at any Illinois Park District or municipal park and recreation department in Illinois.
  • 3.0 or above GPA
  • Transfer students may apply
Application: Apply Here (Applications due by March 15)

Award: Amount awarded will be based on the interest earned on the endowment. Award is to be applied in the semester during which the internship is being completed. Award should be applied directly to the recipient’s university account.
Award amount will be determined by the annual interest rate on the endowment. In any year in which there are no qualified applicants, income may be accumulated or reinvested in the endowment at the discretion of the administrator of the fund.