Department of Physics

Scholarships for the Department of Physics 

These scholarships are all awarded during the fall semester (usually in September) to current students. To apply, please fill out the Physics Scholarship Application (fillable pdf format) during the first three weeks of the fall semester, and attach it to an email directed to Physics office at physics@wiu.edu.

The Physics Freshmen Scholarship is designed to attract highly qualified students in the fields of Physics, Physics Teacher Education, and Engineering Physics who will be studying at the Macomb Campus. Priority will be given to students who submit their scholarship application by the September 12th deadline, but applications are accepted even through the summer months if funds are still available.
To be considered for this scholarship, please complete the Scholarship Application for Entering Freshmen found here:
http://www.wiu.edu/student_success/scholarship/freshmanScholarships.php

Charles R. & Nancy L. Shoemate Scholarship in Physics

Criteria:

  • Physics major with preference to a student pursuing a teaching career in physics
  • Must be a junior class level or a transfer student
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Demonstrate potential to be a leader in the filed and have a commitment to teaching
  • Preference will be given to students who are an underrepresented minority in Physics with financial need and an expressed desire to pursue a teaching career in Physics at the secondary or university level

Terms:

One award is to be given to one student each year. The award amount be determined by the annual interest earning on the endowment. The award will be given 1/2 fall and 1/2 spring.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed and recipients will be selected by the Department of Physics Chair in consultation with the Physics Department Faculty Scholarship Committee.

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Application Deadline:

Applications must be submitted by the end of the first week of classes of the fall semester of each academic year.

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

The scholarship may be renewable for the senior year if the student continues to make satisfactory progress.

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Donald R. Bride Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Declared major in Physics
  • Outstanding student as demonstrated by contribution to the department and/or field of physics

Terms:

Award amount is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

Student must reapply and enter the applicant pool each year

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Dr. Jerry W. Forbes Research Scholarship in Physics

Criteria:

  • Students must be actively involved in an approved faculty-mentored student research project in the Department of Physics
  • Undergraduate Physics Major in the RISE (Research Inspiring Student Excellence) program, which requires a minimum GPA of 2.800
  • Documented need of the student to complete their research project, such as needed supplies, equipment or conference travel

Terms:

This scholarship will award $1,000 each year and may be split between deserving student applicants in order to fund as many undergraduate student research projects as possible. Expenses may include research supplies and equipment necessary for the student to complete their approved faculty-mentored student research project in the Department of Physics as well as conference travel expenses associated with an approved conference presentation of the results of their physics research project

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
Department Chair
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes, but the student must update their application each new academic year and will re-enter the competition with other student applicants

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

Student must still maintain a GPA of 2.800 and be an undergraduate Physics Major; their application will then compete with the other student applicants that academic year

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Norm and Judy Rocke Physics Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Students must be an undergraduate student at WIU majoring in Physics
  • A GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Financial need is not required but is a consideration
  • Activity/involvement within the Department of Physics and/or the community

Terms:

The award amount is determined by the annual interest rate on the endowment. The award will be applied to the student's university account 1/2 fall and 1/2 spring.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed and recipients will be selected by the Department of Physics Chair in consultation with the Physics Department Faculty Scholarship Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Application Deadline:

Applications must be submitted by the end of the first week of classes of the fall semester of each academic year

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

The scholarship is renewable as long as the student maintains a 3.0 GPA  or better and continues to major in Physics. The student must reapply and enter the applicant pool each academic year to be considered for renewal.

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Frank E. Rodeffer Scholarship

Criteria:

Undergraduate Scholarship:

  • Primary recipient of this scholarship will be a junior Physics major in good standing with an overall and major GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Preference will be given to students who are an underrepresented minority in Physics with financial need and an expressed desire to pursue a career in the field of Physics.

Terms:

At the discretion of the Physics Faculty Scholarship Committee, this award may be divided between two (2) or more deserving recipients. Award is $1,000 and will be applied to the student's university account, half in the Fall and half in the Spring

Selection Process:

Recipients will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Selection Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

This scholarship may be renewable for the senior year if the student continues to make satisfactory progress

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Gladwyn Barrett Fund

Criteria:

Outstanding students in Physics are eligible

Terms:

Award amount(s) vary based on annual interest earnings. Award is applied to the student's university account

Selection Process:

The recipient(s) will be selected by the Department of Physics Faculty Scholarship Selection Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

No

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Peggy J. Rodeffer Scholarship in Physics

Criteria:

Undergraduate Scholarship:

  • The primary recipient of this scholarship will be a junior in good standing with a major in Physics. If there is not an undergraduate student eligible, a graduate student majoring in Physics will be chosen. 
  • Preference will be given to a female student who has an expressed desire to pursue a career in the field of Physics
  • Must have an overall and major GPA of 3.0 or higher

Terms:

At the discretion of the Physics Faculty Scholarship Committee, this award may be divided between two (2) or more deserving recipients. Award is $1,000 annually, $500 awarded in the Fall semester and $500 awarded in the Spring semester to assist with the students expenses. The Department may elect to apply the scholarship to the student's university account or direct deposit to the student's designated bank account.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed and recipients will be selected by the Department of Physics Chair in consultation with the Physics Department Faculty Scholarship Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

This scholarship may be renewable if the student continues to make satisfactory progress

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McGee Physics Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Awarded to a physics student in any year of school, freshman through senior
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Preference will be given to students active in clubs or athletics

Terms:

Award is in the amount of $1,000, to be applied to the student's university account, half in the Fall and half in the Spring

Selection Process:

Recipients will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Selection Committee

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

No

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

Student can reapply and enter the applicant pool each academic year.

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Physics Graduate Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Graduate student
  • Declared major in Physics
  • Demonstrated contribution to the field of Physics and/or the department

Terms:

Award amount is determined by the Department of Physics

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications:

Students are nominated by a Department of Physics faculty 

Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

No

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Physics New Freshman Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Declared major in Physics
  • Outstanding high school academic record

Terms:

Award amount is $500

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications:

All freshman physics majors are considered

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

No

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Physics Scholars Award

Criteria:

  • Declared major in Physics
  • Demonstrated contribution to the field of Physics and/or the department

Terms:

Award amount is determined by the Department of Physics. Monetary disbursements will be sent to the Scholarship Office via the online scholarship disbursement form

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications:

Students must be nominated by a Department of Physics faculty member

Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

No

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Roger & Jean Morrow Physics Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Declared major in Physics
  • Demonstrated potential to make a contribution to the overall advancement of the science of Physics
  • Preference given to a student wishing to teach Physics
  • GPA may be considered

Terms:

Award amount is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications:

Students must be nominated by a Department of Physics faculty member

Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

Student must reapply and enter the applicant pool each year

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Walter Eller Physics Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Declared major in Physics
  • Enrolled full-time
  • Preference to a student with a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA
  • Preference to a junior
  • Demonstrated extracurricular contributions to the Department of Physics and WIU

Terms:

Award amount is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment

Selection Process:

Recipient will be chosen by the Department of Physics Scholarship Committee

Applications:

Students must be nominated by a Department of Physics faculty member

Applications and Inquiries:

Western Illinois University
Department of Physics
1 University Circle
Currens Hall 212
Macomb, IL  61455
309/298-1596

Is this Award or Scholarship Renewable?

Yes

What are the Criteria for Renewal?

Students can be nominated by a faculty member each academic year

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