Committed to doing even more to attract and retain academically talented students, President Al Bowman has earmarked an additional $500,000 annually for merit-based scholarships, beginning this year.

“This is an important step that I know will make us even more competitive than we are today,” Bowman said. “At Illinois State our students have demonstrated that it is an investment that yields high returns.”

Illinois State awards merit-based scholarships through the Presidential and University Scholars programs, and provides assistance to hundreds of students through scholarships funded by gifts to the Illinois State Foundation.

More than 20 percent of students receive need-based assistance through the state’s Monetary Awards Program (MAP). The University will use more than $7 million of its own resources to supplement MAP grants for students. More than $1 million in federal grant funding provides financial assistance for low-income and first-generation college students.

Donor dollars continue to help students reach their potential by empowering them to complete a degree. Make a scholarship contribution today by going online to IllinoisState.edu/giving.