Academic Scholarships

Majoring in mathematics or computer science allows students to pursue a variety of career paths.  The EIU Department of Mathematics & Computer Science offers undergraduate programs that prepare graduates to continue study at the graduate level in many areas, to become an actuary or statistician, to work in business or industry, to become a computer programmer or systems analyst, and to teach in a middle school or high school.

Recent graduates are employed at Horace Mann, State Farm Insurance, Caterpillar, AE Edwards, and other companies.  They teach mathematics or computer science at high schools throughout the state of Illinois and beyond.  Those choosing graduate schools have continued their studies at schools such as University of Iowa, Indiana University, Southern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Colorado State University, Syracuse, Marquette University, and Louisiana State University.

Freshman Scholarships for students entering EIU Fall 2010

Scholarship Application or Online application  Deadline: February 1, 2010.

1. Jessie Allhands Mathematics Scholarship, renewable for four (4) years. (Awarded annually)
2. Lawrence A. Ringenberg Scholarship, renewable for four (4) years. (Awarded in even-numbered years)
3. Cyril D. Reed Mathematics Scholarship, a one year award. (Awarded annually)
4. Eastern Illinois University Mathematics Alumni Scholarships, one year awards. (Awarded annually)

Scholarships for Current EIU Students or Transfer Students

1. E.H. Taylor, two year award in mathematics  (Awarded annually)  application
2. Stephen Alan Coon Mathematics Scholarship, one year award for current sophomores (Awarded annually) Application
3. John George Wozencraft, Jr. Memorial Award, one year award (Awarded in odd-numbered years) Application
4. Nancy P. Taitt Mathematics Scholarship (Awarded annually)  Application

Questions should be address to:

Dr. Margaret Weaver, Scholarship Committee Chair

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

Charleston, IL  61920

email:  mlweaver@eiu.edu

Phone:  217-581-2028

Freshman Scholarships – for students entering EIU Fall 2010

Scholarship Application or Online application  Deadline: February 1, 2010.

1. Jessie Allhands Mathematics Scholarship, renewable for four (4) years. (Awarded annually)

This scholarship is awarded for one (1) year and may be renewed for a maximum of four (4) academic years provided the recipient remains enrolled in a mathematics program and continues to make satisfactory progress towards the completion of a mathematics major and towards the completion of an undergraduate degree.

The scholarship will be awarded according to the following criteria:

·         The recipient must be a full time student, majoring or intending to major in a program within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and accepted to, and agreeing to attend EIU.

·         The recipient must have an overall GPA of 3.0 (B or better) from high school.

·         The recipient must display a need for financial aid.

·         Preference will be given to students from West Salem, Illinois, or communities close to West Salem, whenever possible.

A recipient shall be eligible to renew the award provided the student:

·         continues to be enrolled full time in a major in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science;

·         continues to demonstrate financial need; and

·         maintains cumulative and semester GPA's of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

2. Lawrence A. Ringenberg Scholarship, renewable for four (4) years. (Awarded in even-numbered years)

This scholarship is awarded for one (1) year and may be renewed for a maximum of four (4) years or eight (8) semesters provided the recipient remains enrolled in a mathematics program and continues to make satisfactory progress towards the completion of a mathematics major and towards the completion of an undergraduate degree.

The scholarship will be awarded according to the following criteria:

·         A high school graduate of the State of Illinois who has enrolled or is planning to enroll at EIU with a major offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

·         The recipient shall have shown outstanding achievement in the study of mathematics in high school and promise of exceptional achievement in the study of mathematics at Eastern Illinois University.

·         The recipient shall be a student of good moral character. 

The recipient will be chosen by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and will continue to receive the scholarship as long as the student remains enrolled as a major within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.  The recipient is expected to continue as an outstanding scholar, to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in mathematics courses, and to make satisfactory progress towards the completion of the major and a degree.

3. Cyril D. Reed Mathematics Scholarship, a one year award. (Awarded annually)

These scholarships are one (1) year awards to a mathematics major enrolled at Eastern Illinois University.  The recipients of these awards shall be selected on the basis of need and academic ability.

It is the intent of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science to make these awards each spring to a high school senior interested in selecting a major within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Eastern Illinois University.  The award will be given the following fall semester provided that:

·         The recipient applied for admission and is accepted by Eastern Illinois University.

·         Declares a major within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science upon enrollment.

·         Enrolls in a sequence of mathematics courses designed to lead to a major in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

4. Eastern Illinois University Mathematics Alumni Scholarships, one year awards. (Awarded annually)

These scholarships are one (1) year awards to a mathematics major enrolled at Eastern Illinois University.  The recipients of these awards shall be selected on the basis of need and academic ability.

It is the intent of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science to make these awards each spring to a high school senior interested in selecting a major within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Eastern Illinois University.  The award will be given the following fall semester provided that:

·         The recipient applied for admission and is accepted by Eastern Illinois University.

·         Declares a major within the Mathematics and Computer Science Department upon enrollment.

·         Enrolls in a sequence of mathematics courses designed to lead to a major in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

Scholarships for Current EIU Students or Transfer Students

1. E.H. Taylor, two year award in mathematics  (Awarded annually)

A student who will be completing a two-year community college program, who has applied to and been accepted by Eastern Illinois University and who intends to major in Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics, or Mathematics (with teacher certification) will be considered for this award.  EIU students currently enrolled as a major within the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science are also eligible.

Students applying for the award must satisfy the following by the end of fall semester:

·         have at least 3.00 GPA with at least 3.00 GPA in mathematics.

·         have completed at least three (3) mathematics courses that will apply to one of the department's majors.  Preference will be given to applicants with more than three (3) mathematics or computer science courses.

1.        Current EIU students must have at least 43 semester hours excluding credit earned by examinations.  In addition, the applicant may have completed no more than 3 semesters of college work, not including summer sessions.

2.        By the beginning of fall semester, a community college student must complete an AA or AS degree.  A transcript including fall semester should be sent with the application form.

2. Stephen Alan Coon Mathematics Scholarship, one year award for current sophomores (Awarded annually)

The department will award the Stephen Alan Coon Mathematics Scholarship to a student currently enrolled at EIU as a sophomore and majoring in one of its programs.  Subject to the availability of funds, we anticipate this year's award to be between $500 and $1000, paid at the beginning of the fall semester. This is an endowed scholarship which we plan to award each year.

To be eligible a student must:

·         have an overall GPA between 3.00 and 3.50;

·         display a need for financial aid; and

·         have completed no more than three (3) semesters of college work (not including summer school).

Preference will be given to student with a major or minor in physics or a second degree in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department.  (Application)

3. John George Wozencraft, Jr. Memorial Award, one year award (Awarded in odd-numbered years)

The department will award the John George Wozencraft, Jr. Memorial Award to a full-time student in good standing who is currently enrolled at EIU majoring in one of its programs.  This is an endowed scholarship which is awarded every other year.  To be eligible a student must display a need for financial aid. (Application)

4. Nancy P. Taitt Mathematics Scholarship (Awarded annually)

The department will award the Nancy P. Taitt Mathematics Scholarship to a student currently enrolled at EIU as a sophomore or junior majoring in elementary education with concentration in mathematics.  Subject to the availability of funds, we anticipate this year's award to be approximately $250, paid at the beginning of the fall semester. 

To be eligible a student must be a second semester sophomore or junior majoring in elementary education with an area of concentration in mathematics at Eastern Illinois University.  This includes students pursuing the middle school option.  (Application)