Illinois General Assembly Scholarship Program
One-year scholarships are available to students who reside in the 29th Senate District and who have been accepted by one of the following Illinois state universities:
- Chicago State University, Chicago
- Eastern Illinois University, Charleston
- Governor’s State University, University Park
- Illinois State University, Normal
- Northern Illinois University, DeKalb
- Western Illinois University, Macomb
- Northeastern Illinois University, Springfield
- Southern Illinois University (Carbondale and Edwardsville Campuses)
- University of Illinois (Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana-Champaign Campuses)
- University of Illinois College of Medicine (Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and Champaign/Urbana Campuses)
Eight scholarships will be awarded. Senator Garrett has established a scholarship advisory board to guide and direct the competition for the scholarships. The scholarships are for tuition only; they include no fees or room and board. Summer tuition is included; recipients not attending the summer session at these schools will be asked to release their summer scholarship. These one-year scholarships are not renewable; however, students may reapply for consideration in subsequent years.
Qualifications
To qualify for a scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:
- Residence in the 29th Senate District (click here to check your senate district by address)
- Acceptance at the state university of choice as a full-time student
- Evidence of activity in public and civic affairs
- Relative financial need
- Academic achievement
How to Apply
Applicants must complete a scholarship application form and provide the required materials listed below, including financial information, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation evidencing the student’s character and participation in public and civic affairs.
Applications for the 2009-2010 academic year will be available in January 2009. You may click on the appropriate link below to view last year's application for your information only; please do not print and use these, as the application will change for 2009-2010.
Deadline
The deadline for applying for the General Assembly Scholarship for the 2008-2009 school year has passed. The deadline for the 2009-2010 academic year will be in mid- to late March 2009; the exact date will be posted here in January.
Required Materials
All of the following documents must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the deadline for the application to be complete. Begin planning early to ensure that you will be able to have all materials ready on time.
- Scholarship application
- Personal statement describing your educational goals and supporting your need for a scholarship (please limit to one page)
- Letter of acceptance from university (current high school students only)
- Official transcript(s) (if you’re a college student, include both your high school and college transcripts). Be sure to allow enough time for your school to process your transcript request.
- Three letters of recommendation (from teachers, counselors, employers, etc.); each letter of recommendation should be sent by mail directly from the writer to Senator Garrett's office in its original sealed envelope. Be sure to make your requests early!
- Financial need estimator worksheet (click here to access the ACT Financial Aid Need Estimator web page)
- Your own (if applicable) and your parents' current IRS Form 1040 (e.g., when applying for the 2009-2010 scholarship, the 2008 Form 1040 will be required). Note that this means the return needs to be completed earlier than the IRS filing deadline.
A helpful tip ...
All Illinois state legislators, both senators and representatives, have scholarships to award. If you live in Senate District 29, you are also in Representative District 58 (Rep. Karen May) or 59 (Rep. Elaine Nekritz). You are eligible to apply for the scholarship through your representative's office as well. You can only be awarded one scholarship, but you can increase your chances of being selected by applying via both your senator's and representative's offices. Required materials and deadlines may vary; check with your representative's office for details.