Special Education at Illinois State University
 
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Scholarships

There are a variety of scholarship awards for students majoring in special education, including the Department of Special Education scholarship awards, the College of Education scholarship awards program, and State of Illinois and federal scholarships, grants, and awards.

Department of Special Education Scholarships

The Department of Special Education has a number of scholarships and awards available. Availability and size may change due to fluctuations in endowments. Learn about the scholarships available during 2008–2009 academic year.

Meet past recipients of the Department of Special Education Scholarships: 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Eligibility guidelines

To be considered for a scholarship through the Department of Special Education, you must meet the following guidelines:

  • Must major in a Department of Special Education program at Illinois State.
  • Submit a completed application.
  • Have letters of recommendation submitted on behalf of you for the following scholarships:
    • The Lawrence D. Vuillemot Fieldwork Scholarship: A university supervisor letter of recommendation must be e-mailed to The recommendation must include your name and the scholarship name (The Lawrence D. Vuillemot Fieldwork Scholarship), as well as the name of the person recommending you, their address and telephone number.
    • James and Edith Aagesen Ward Trust Memorial Scholarship Fund: A faculty letter of recommendation must be e-mailed to The recommendation must include your name and the scholarship name (James and Edith Aagesen Ward Trust Memorial Scholarship), as well as the name of the person recommending you, their address and telephone number.
    • The Wanda and Dale Weaver Endowed Scholarships and Fellowship Fund: Two faculty letters of recommendation must be e-mailed to The recommendation must include your name and the scholarship name (The Wanda and Dale Weaver Endowed Scholarships and Fellowship Fund), as well as the name of the person recommending you, their address and telephone number.
  • If you apply for a need-based scholarship, your financial record in the ISU Financial Aid Office will be checked. To be eligible for consideration for financial aid at Illinois State University, you must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current year.
  • NOTE: Students who have transferred to Illinois State University from another institution are welcome to apply.

Submit an application

The application period has closed for 2008. Please check back during Spring 2009.

Award recipients will be announced in May. Awardees will be notified by mail. An awards ceremony will take place in the Fall during Family Day Weekend.

You may be eligible for more scholarships!

Additional scholarships in the College of Education Scholarship Program are available:

State of Illinois Scholarships

CollegeZone

State and federal award information is available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. This includes information on:

  • ISAC Special Education Tuition Waivers
  • Illinois Future Teachers Corps Program
  • Minority Teachers of Illinois
  • The Illinois Veterans Grant
  • The Illinois National Guard
  • Dependents of Police, Fire, and Correctional Officers

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Aid Programs

These grants are awarded based on financial need or other special considerations. They do not need to be repaid when college is completed if the individual is teaching in Illinois. Information and applications for these scholarships can be downloaded from the Web site and returned to the Commission for consideration. The Commission also provides several publications to assist in the college planning process, including financial aid, prepaid tuition, and default prevention.

Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program

Teacher candidates pursuing a career in special education in Illinois may be eligible for this program. Those accepted will be exempt from paying tuition and mandatory fees at an eligible institution, for up to four calendar years.

Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) Program (formerly DeBolt)

Preschool, elementary, or secondary school teacher candidates may be eligible for this scholarship. Funds are generally for academically talented and financially needy students enrolled as juniors or above, with a priority given to individuals pursuing a teacher shortage discipline or making a commitment to teach at a hard-to-staff school, and minority students. This award is designated for tuition, fees, and room and board charges, or commuter allowance, if applicable.

Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

Teacher candidates planning to become preschool, elementary, or secondary school teachers and are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American origin may qualify for up to $5,000 per year as part of the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program to pay for tuition, fees, and room and board, or commuter allowances, if applicable. This scholarship may be received for a maximum of eight semesters or 12 quarters.