Scholarship Opportunities
It’s a question in the minds of many students and parents: How affordable is it to
attend college realistically? At McKendree, we recognize that you’ve already worked
hard to get where you are, which is why 98% of our students receive some type of institutional aid. We believe in the success of our students, and our extensive scholarship program is one way that we invest in you.
In addition to grants and work study jobs, scholarships are an excellent way to offset
college costs. McKendree students have the chance to receive scholarships that complement
their unique accomplishments and interests and come from a host of different areas,
including academics, co-curricular activities, athletics, community service, and many
others.
Academic Scholarships
Our academically talented students are eligible for scholarships that not only honor
their past achievements, but also give them opportunities for continued growth and
exciting resume-building experiences.
Qualified first-year students may receive the Dean’s Scholarship (valued at $10,000 per year), Presidential Scholarship (valued at $10,000 per year), or Honors Scholarship (valued at $13,000 per year).
The McKendree Honors Scholarship automatically places students in the Honors Program, a unique learning experience that includes specialized classes, outside cultural
events, and the opportunity to present research at a variety of academic conferences.
Co-curricular Scholarships
Did you participate in co-curricular activities in high school, such as band, color
guard, or Model UN? Are you interested in getting involved with campus life at McKendree?
Our co-curricular scholarships allow you to meet others, do something you enjoy, and
earn scholarship funds at the same time!
McKendree’s wide variety of co-curricular scholarships includes:
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Debate Scholarship - Open to first-year students intending to participate on the nationally-ranked McKendree Debate Team.
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Theatre Scholarship - Students with this scholarship assist with the Theatre Department’s mainstage production.
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Visual/Performing Arts Scholarship - Students may assist in preparing exhibits for McKendree’s Art Gallery, perform on the university Dance Ensemble, or take part in Concert Band, Concert Choir, or Jazz Ensemble.
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Band Scholarship - Become a part of the most visible performing ensemble on campus with a band scholarship! Students build lasting friendships, develop as musicians, and get unique opportunities to attend major music events.
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Model United Nations Scholarship - Students with this scholarship organize and facilitate McKendree’s on-campus Model UN conference, which draws more than 300 students from 16 area high schools to campus each semester.
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World Wide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Scholarship - Open to students who have participated in the Missouri WYSE regional or Illinois WYSE sectional at McKendree and place first, second, or third in any individual event.
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Technology Fellows Scholarship - Open to students with a demonstrated interest in the computing and engineering fields. Recipients assist in the coordination of McKendree’s WYSE and Robotics competitions and tutor other students in these fields.
Athletic Scholarships
Whether you’re an all-star sports player or just have an interest in sports, there’s
an athletic scholarship opportunity for you at McKendree. We offer scholarships in more than 20 of our most popular men’s and women’s sports teams, giving you the
chance to compete regionally and nationally as part of Bearcat athletics.
For students interested in gaining firsthand experience in sports information or game
management, our newest athletic scholarship is for you. The Bearcat Athletic Support Experience (BASE) program is designed for non-student athletes who wish to earn real work experience
and scholarship funds by working directly with McKendree’s athletic staff and coaches.
BASE Scholars assist in managing business components and social media, recording video
of games and events, reaching out to prospective student athletes, and many other
resume-building activities.
“We’re proud of our BASE Scholarship program and the real world experience it gives
students,” said McKendree Athletic Director Chuck Bruggemann. “Our success has prompted
the Great Lakes Valley Conference to ask us to speak about this program so that other
schools in the conference can emulate it.”
Community Service Scholarships
At McKendree, giving back to others through community service and volunteerism is
one of the main values we seek to cultivate in our students. For this reason, many
of our scholarship opportunities incorporate some level of service, encouraging students
to expand their world view and see life from another’s perspective.
The Community Service Scholarship for incoming students gives you the chance to participate in a host of different
on and off-campus volunteer programs and work directly with the Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service (CCS) to organize activities that benefit others and offer education on important social
justice issues.
This scholarship is an opportunity for students to use their passion for service to
gain leadership skills and be active citizens during college. Recipients of the Community
Service Scholarship complete 30 hours of service per semester and can be awarded up
to $4,000 per year.
Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships
In addition to the many different scholarship opportunities McKendree offers, we also
make it a priority to assist our outstanding students in applying for national and international scholarships and fellowships.
Many of these scholarships open new doors for students who would like to study abroad,
participate in unique research projects, or further their education and work experience
in a particular field. McKendree faculty offer students guidance and advice throughout
the application process for these highly competitive awards.
“These prestigious scholarships are designed to help students become leading voices
in their fields,” said Martha Patterson, professor of English. “The application process
helps students articulate who they are now and how the scholarship experience will
help them become who they want to be."
Endowed and Annually Funded Scholarships
Many of our alumni, their families, and other donors genuinely care about your success
at McKendree and have set up endowed and annually funded scholarships specifically
for you.
Criteria for these scholarships is broad and ranges from your planned degree field
to your geographic location to your participation in a particular sport. Some are
very unique, such as one that requires the recipient or family member to be a volunteer
firefighter from the Lebanon or O’Fallon, Illinois area.
Scattered across the country, these donors often create scholarships in memory of
a loved one or based on a characteristic special to them. Many student recipients
even get the opportunity to meet their donors during the student research presentations
on Academic Excellence Celebration each year. The experience of shaking hands with
the person who helped fund your education without ever knowing you is one you will
never forget.
“I’m eternally grateful for the help of my generous donors,” said Stefanie Strack
’16, who received the Leona Stanford Vollintine Scholarship and the Billy Hahs Annual
Fund Scholarship. “Their generosity has motivated me to make it my personal goal of
one day helping students in the same way that they have helped me.”
Outside Scholarships
McKendree students are also eligible for an exciting array of externally-funded scholarships,
such as the Golden Apple Scholarship, YMCA Student of the Year Scholarship, and United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Scholarship, to name a few.
In 2015-2016, five McKendree teacher candidates were named Golden Apple Scholars,
a Chicago-based program designed to address the need for creative teachers to serve
Illinois students in economically and educationally disadvantaged schools. Approximately
52 public and private schools across Illinois participate in the Golden Apple Scholars
program, and only 200 teacher candidates are selected statewide.
“It means the world to me to be a Golden Apple Scholar!” said Chelsea Gossett ‘18.
“Through their summer institute, I had the opportunity to teach lessons in an Algebra
I class, as well as take classes that will benefit me as an educator. This program
has already taught me so much more than I could have ever hoped to learn about being
a teacher."
Make It McKendree
