English Scholarships and Awards
Scholarships play a vital role in making higher education more affordable and accessible to students and their families. That’s why we created our easy-to-use EIU Scholarship Search, which helps you explore all the scholarship and award opportunities available at Eastern. Admitted students can log in and see more personalized scholarship information based on their academic profile. If you have any questions about the EIU Scholarship Search site, please contact Mallorie Fonseca, at 217-581- 6405 or eiu-scholarships@eiu.edu.
The list below highlights scholarships awarded by the English Department to English majors, along with select College of Liberal Arts and Sciences awards open to English majors. Each listing includes an overview. Follow the links for full details and GPA requirements.
- Approximately $150,000 in scholarships and awards are distributed annually.
- Students are strongly encouraged to explore additional opportunities through Academic Works-EIU’s campus-wide scholarship system.
- Most scholarship applications are due by March 15, but deadlines may vary.
Mary Coon Cottingham Scholarship - The largest of the endowed scholarship programs in English, several awards are typically made from this fund each year. The donors have designated this scholarship for students with strong interest and ability in both literature and creative writing; two writing samples are required of applicants. Students are eligible to apply again.
Genelle Voigt Jackson English Scholarship - For English majors, new or continuing; minimum 3.0 high school GPA; preference to students from West Salem, IL, or communities close to West Salem. This scholarship is renewable, but recipients must re-apply each year.
Morris Family Endowment in English - For English majors, new or continuing; good academic standing; based on scholastic ability. This scholarship is not based on financial need; however, in the case of two equally qualified candidates, the student who demonstrates the greatest financial need shall receive the scholarship.
Cecil Paul and Marjorie Wilson Davis Scholarship - English - For English majors, new or continuing; good academic standing.
Frank and Irene Luce Wilson Scholarship - English - For English majors, new or continuing; good academic standing.
Lucina Paquet Gabbard English Scholarship - One award annually
Edith Breving Annual Scholarship - For undergraduates in the arts and humanities. Requires 3.0 GPA. Community college transfer students, community service preferred.
Howard DeForest Widger Scholarship - One award annually
Ron and Carol Jean (McHenry) Martin Scholarship (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences award) - Full-time students majoring in English Language Arts who are interested in teaching Speech or Theatre; preference to students who graduated from high school in Paris, Paxton Buckley Loda, or a Joliet Township OR contiguous counties may be considered; GPA of 3.0; financial need is a considered; requires 1-2 page narrative describing interest in pursuing a teaching career in English Language Arts, Theatre Arts, or a combination of both disciplines
Isabel McKinney Undergraduate Scholarship - Normally two awards to freshmen each year. Those who received the award after applying as freshmen must re-apply for renewal for their junior and senior years. Requires a writing sample.
Raymond L. and Carolyn Miller Fischer Scholarship - English major with specialization in English literature. One award every two years.
English Alumni Scholarship - English major with strong character and potential for leadership. One award annually.
Betty Hawkins English Scholarship - English major with strong character and potential for leadership, strong writing skills (but no essay required). Two awards annually
Dr. Robert V. Wharton Scholarship - For nontraditional students (defined broadly) with keen appreciation of and facility for the study of literature
Frances W. McColl Scholarship - English major in Teacher Education. One award every two years.
Eunice W. Dougherty Scholarship - (Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Business) - For juniors in Business or the sciences, arts, or humanities. Requires 3.85 GPA, 15 EIU credit hours, top 1/4 scholastic standing.
Errett and Mazie Warner Presidential Award - Recognizes outstanding scholarship and character; three awards made each year.
Dr. Charles I. Switzer Memorial Scholarship - preference to English majors who intend to become certified to teach OR pursue graduate study in English. One award annually
Flora Saxby Hawkes Memorial Scholarship - For English majors; one award annually
The Louise (Tym) Honnold and Martha (Tym) Johnson Scholarship - Must be a full-time senior student majoring in either English with teacher licensure or Social Science with teacher licensure accepted to Eastern Illinois University; GPA at least 3.0; financial need considered.
Isabel McKinney Graduate Scholarship - Requires a writing sample.
Writing Contests
Writing contests, both creative and critical, are sponsored by English and other units on campus each year. Check out this list of current writing contests of interest to English majors.
If you have questions about English-specific scholarships, please contact the scholarship committee chair, Dr. Randall Beebe.
Some scholarship and award winners with EIU President David Glassman at our annual Awards Tea. Great work, everyone!