Awards & Scholarships | Vice Chancellor for Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | SIU

Awards and scholarships available to African American students are often categorized
as being available to African American as well as Minority students.

List affiliated Awards & Scholarships

Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• African-American Achievement Scholarship
  • This scholarship was established through the support of SIU Carbondale alumni and friends. Scholars must be full-time undergraduate students at SIU Carbondale who have completed a minimum of 30 hours (12 at SIUC), have a minimum GPA of 2.7, and a preference that the student be of African American heritage. Applicants are evaluated on their completed application and a 300 - 500 word essay on educational goals and professional aspirations. The scholarship recipient will be announced in the spring with the cash award applied to the student’s bursar account for the upcoming fall semester.
• Black Undergrad Education Scholarship
  • To provide an annual scholarship(s). The recipient of this scholarship shall be selected by the Black Alumni Group. Preference shall be given to a student who is involved in extra-curricular activities; has a minimum GPA of 2.5; and letters of recommendation.
  • 5/12/10 – One of the SBUE scholarships awarded annually from this account will be called the Seymour Bryson/SBUE Academic Success Scholarship.
  • The recipient of this scholarship shall be selected by the Black Alumni Group.
• Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI)
  • A DFI Fellow must be an Illinois resident and U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien who is a member of an Underrepresented Group. Black/African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. "Traditionally underrepresented minority group" means any of the minority groups designated in the Public Act which are represented in Illinois post-baccalaureate enrollment at a percentage rate less than the minority group's representation in the total Illinois population. The Public Act further specifies that to be classified as an Illinois resident, an applicant must possess a high school diploma or post-secondary degree from an accredited Illinois educational institution or have lived in Illinois for at least three years.
• Dr. Donald and Mrs. Frances Davenport Scholarship
  • Dr. Donald and Mrs. Frances Davenport Scholarship was established by Donald and Frances Davenport in recognition of their belief in the importance of higher education. The Davenports trust that their legacy will be a symbol of gratitude for all that SIU has blessed them with and they want to assist in making higher education possible for future students. To qualify, applicants must hold junior or senior status with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and have demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to African American applicants. Preference will be given to applicants with involvement in a home church, as evidenced by a recommendation from the student’s home church
• George Floyd Equity and Justice Scholarship
  • $1,000 scholarship to an incoming freshman.
  • As part of the application process, the student must submit an essay about what they have learned from the issues or national response associated with the death of George Floyd
• George Floyd Equity and Justice Scholarship
  • $500 award to a student, faculty or staff member promoting diversity on campus.
• Hispanic-American Fund
  • This scholarship was established through the support of SIU Carbondale alumni and friends. Scholars must be full-time undergraduate students at SIU Carbondale who have completed a minimum of 30 hours (12 at SIUC), have a minimum GPA of 2.7, and a preference that the student be of Hispanic-American heritage. Applicants are evaluated on their completed application and a 300 - 500-word essay on educational goals and professional aspirations. The scholarship recipient will be announced in the spring with the cash award applied to the student’s bursar account for the upcoming fall semester.
• Hope and Opportunity Scholarship Fund
  • Scholarship will be open to all applicants with the following qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or veteran status:
    1. Preference will go to an African American, Hispanic, or woman in a non-traditional academic field.
    2. Undergraduate student.
    3. Good academic standing.
    4. Financial need.
• McDaniel Oats Memorial Scholarship
  • The McDaniel Oats Memorial Scholarship will be open to all applicants with the following qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or veteran status.
    1. Preference will be given to an African American
    2. A resident of the Southern Illinois region as defined by the 34 most southern counties
    3. Accepted into the Special Education Department
    4. An undergraduate or graduate student
    5. Demonstrated financial need
• Phoenix Cannabis Production Scholarship
  • Recipient must be in the Intensive Controlled-Environment Plant Production Certificate program.
  • Preference will be given to an applicant who is African-American, Hispanic or other underrepresented population.
  • Applicants must submit an essay discussing the impact of the cannabis industry and the scholarship on their future.
• Roland Burris Financial Emergency Fund
  • The Honorable Roland W. Burris has established this fund to assist students who face a financial emergency during their enrollment at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The selection committee will be organized by the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
    1. Recipient shall be a matriculated full-time Southern Illinois University Carbondale student in good academic standing.
    2. Recipients shall be from the Chicagoland area or from Southern Illinois (south of I70).
    3. Preference may be given to Black American students.
    4. Applicants must provide, in 250 typed words or less, specific details explaining the emergency situation.
• SIUC Minority Scholarship Fund
  • This scholarship was established through the support of SIU Carbondale alumni and friends. Scholars must be full-time undergraduate students at SIU Carbondale in good standing with the University; have successfully completed one semester of school; and a preference that the student be a member of a minority group. Scholarships awarded to recognize academic achievement annually in the spring with the cash award applied to the student's bursar account for the upcoming fall semester.
• Wrophas and Dianne Meeks Academic Excellence Scholarship
  • The Meeks know that the path to a fulfilling career begins with a college education. The Meeks have supported their two children through college, and now they want to help others. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be of African-American heritage, and completed a minimum of 45 credit hours at SIU Carbondale. Applicants will be evaluated on their completed application and two letters of recommendation.

Enrollment Management

• Beatrice and Bayard Scotland Scholarship
  • Awarded to a female student with a minimum GPA of 3.0. (qualification)
• Connie Armstrong Memorial Scholarship
  • Awarded to a student with a sophomore class status or higher and has a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0. Preference will be given to students who are residents of Perry County, Illinois. If there are no qualified applicants from Perry County, Illinois, preference will then be given to students who are residents of Caruthersville, Missouri. Preference will be given to female students, students who are parents, and students who possess physical disabilities.
• Genoeffa Scholarship Fund
  • Awarded to an outstanding female student who is an Italian immigrant or of Italian descent, who is a resident of the State of Illinois. Financial need shall not be considered in the selection of a recipient.
• Inspiring Women Scholarship
  • Preference will be given to a female student.
• BECA Hispanica Scholarship
  • Preference Hispanic students
  • Eligible recipients must demonstrate financial need and have at least a 2.0 GPA.
• DACA Student Assistant Award
  • Awarded to a part-time or full-time DACA student at SIU Carbondale that maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA
• Dr. & Mrs. J.W. Barrow and Mr. & Mrs. W.O. Brown Women of Promise
  • Preference shall be given to eligible women who:
    1. have a record of leadership and service to their school or community;
    2. have graduated in the top third of their class;
    3. reside in the state of Illinois
    4. have a minimum ACT score of 24 or who have a minimum transferring GPA of 2.75.
• Minnie Mae Pitkin Memorial Scholarship
  • Recipient must be a female, junior, senior, or graduate student, majoring in Clothing and Textiles, Fashion Design Merchandising, Food and Nutrition, Home Economics, Home Economics Education, Human Nutrition & Dietetics, or Interior Design, with a cumulative GPA of 4.0.
• Dr. Walter G Robinson, JR. Scholarship
  • Ethnicity must contain Black, cumulative SIU GPA must be greater than or equal to 2.5, financial need greater than 0

College of Education

• College of Education African American Award
  • Revenue from this fund may be used for an annual scholarship(s) to a student currently majoring in the College of Education who is an African American.
  • Preference shall be given to a student who is majoring in an academic program in the College of Education and must have completed 57 semester hours before applying for the award.
• Dr. Cynthia Howard Sims Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship
  • The recipient must be an undergraduate student in the School of Education. The recipient must submit a minimum 2-page essay that answers the following question: How have you demonstrated that you value diversity and inclusion and worked toward promoting equality or social justice?
• Elmer J. and Grace C. Clark Doctoral Scholar Award
  • Income from this fund shall be used for an annual award to a doctoral student in the College of Education. All other qualifications being equal, preference shall be given to a minority or female student.
• Julius A. and Norma H. Johnson Scholarship
  • Scholarship to be paid in even years to a recipient in the College of Liberal Arts and in odd years to a recipient in the College of Education.
  • Preference given to an African American undergraduate who:
    1. is enrolled for major studies in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Education;
    2. is a participant in a varsity athletic program or in service to the University through extra-curricular activities;
    3. is showing overall excellence in academic endeavors and in a varsity athletic program or University extra-curricular activities.
• Rafi and Zoreh Endowed Scholarship
  • The recipient must be in Education Administration and Higher Education, must have financial need. Preference given to international student.
• Rosemary Bryant Memorial Award
  • A recipient will be a woman beginning her junior year who plans to be a teacher and who is a graduate of a high school in the counties covered by Beta Delta Chapter: Franklin, Jackson, Perry, Randolph, and Williamson. This change will enable the recipient to apply for the organization's grant at the state level.
• Dr. Cleveland and Mrs. Yvonne Hammonds Scholarship
  • Scholarship will be open to all applicants with the following qualifications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status:
    1. Must be an undergraduate education major pursuing a career in K-12 counseling or teaching
    2. Must exhibit financial need
    3. Must be a resident of Illinois, Missouri, or Louisiana
    4. Must have a GPA of 2.5 or better
    5. Preference will be given to minority students
    6. Recipients may re-apply for the award the following year

College of Health & Human Sciences

• School of Aviation
  • Victor L. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund
    • Preference shall be given to a student who:
      1. Is in the Aviation Program
      2. Is of African-American descent
      3. Has financial need
      4. Is a sophomore or junior
  • Aviation Management and Flight New Student Scholarship
    • The selection of the recipient(s) of the scholarship will be made by the appropriate department representatives (the Field Representative Academic Advisor and /or Department Chair) of SIUC's Department of Aviation Management and Flight. Scholarship will be open to all applicants with the following qualifications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or veteran status
      1. 3.0 high school or transfer GPA
      2. Clearly stated interest in an aviation management career as represented in Aviation Flight and Aviation Management program application materials.
      3. Preference is that half the money awarded each year will be presented to a qualified female or minority recipient with emphasis on recipients of non-traditional college age.
      4. Recipients must be in the applicant pool for either the Aviation Flight or Aviation Management program(s) and considered to be an excellent program prospect.
  • W. Norwood Aviation Scholarship
    • To encourage others to excel in aviation. It is bestowed upon those who demonstrate a strong commitment devotion and sacrifice to aviation in the William R. Norwood tradition. For an annual scholarship(s) and for recognition items such as plaques. This scholarship shall be awarded to a student who: shows evidence of dedicated participation in activities studies and organizations related to aviation; has a minimum 2.75 overall GPA; has Federal Aviation Administration certification/qualifications in aviation flight; has membership in at least one aviation organization; has involvement in aviation activities which demonstrate an enthusiasm for aviation; is a sophomore junior or senior enrolled at SIUC in an SIUC aviation flight program. Preference given to a student who: has financial need; demonstrates interest in assisting others in aviation; demonstrates involvement in increasing diversity within the field of aviation.
• School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences
  • Psychology Alumni Minority Grad Assistantship
    • Preference is given to a minority student

Graduate School

• Graduate Dean’s Fellowship
  • The Graduate Dean’s Fellowship is designed for individuals from underrepresented groups who have overcome social, cultural, or economic conditions. The Graduate Dean’s Fellowship will be awarded for up to a maximum of two years. These awards will be made to students who show the greatest promise for scholarly and professional achievement in their respective disciplines.
  • Pursuant to Section 9.16 of the Board of Higher Education Act (110 ILCS 205), the Illinois Board of Higher Education currently defines underrepresented groups as a citizen or resident alien who identifies as African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian-American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, or an individual with a disability.
• Proactive Recruitment of Multicultural Professionals for Tomorrow (PROMPT)
  • The PROMPT Program (Proactive Recruitment of Multicultural Professionals for Tomorrow) is an initiative developed by the Graduate School of Southern Illinois University (SIU) to increase the number of individuals receiving advanced degrees in the United States from families which have traditionally not had access to the opportunities of higher education and who, through their life and/or cultural experiences, have unique and potentially positive contributions to make to the program, the discipline, and in the larger academic community. The Graduate School, in alliance with participating academic departments, will provide financial assistance packages to competitive, admissible students to pursue advanced study at SIU.
  • Pursuant to Section 9.16 of the Board of Higher Education Act (110 ILCS 205), the Illinois Board of Higher Education currently defines underrepresented groups as a citizen or resident alien who identifies as African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian-American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, or an individual with a disability.

Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

• Alexander Lane Internship Fund

Student Affairs

• Anna Jackson Scholarship
  • The Anna Jackson Scholarship fund is open to all students with the following qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status:
    1. Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
    2. Must be enrolled as a full-time student in good standing as defined by the Registrar Office.
    3. Preference will be given to underrepresented students
    4. All complete applications will be accepted.
• Antonio A. Washington Memorial Leadership Award Fund
  • To be given to a student who has displayed excellent, outstanding leadership skills while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
  • Awarded by the Black Affairs Council.
• Kenneth Brown Hope and Opportunity Scholarship Fund
  • The Kenneth Brown Hope and Opportunity Scholarship will be open to all applicants with the following qualifications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or veteran status.
    1. Priority will be given to minority students and other traditionally under-represented populations including women.
    2. Undergraduate student.
    3. Good academic standing.
    4. Demonstrated financial need.
    5. Participation in a registered student organization.
• Paul Robeson Memorial Award Fund
  • To provide monetary awards to SIU Carbondale students and a faculty/staff person who have excelled in the areas of academics and/or athletics and service to Black Affairs Council and/or SIU Carbondale and community.
• Seymour and Marjorie Bryson Academic Achievement Scholarship
  • The Seymour and Marjorie Bryson Academic Achievement Scholarship will be open to all students with the following qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status:
    1. Preference will be given to an African American
    2. Must have Sophomore Status
    3. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
    4. Preference will be given to a student who has overcome compelling educational, economic, social, and cultural barriers and who contributes to SIU commitment to racial diversity.
    5. Demonstrated the potential to become a positive role model and productive scholar.
    6. Must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 hours) in good standing as defined by the Registrar Office.
• Seymour Bryson and Marjorie Bryson Resiliency Scholarship
  • The Seymour and Marjorie Bryson Resiliency Scholarship will be open to all students with the following qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status:
    1. Preference will be given to an African American
    2. Must have Senior Academic Status (Fall of application year)
    3. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
    4. Preference will be given to a student who has overcome compelling educational, economic, social, and cultural barriers and who contributes to SIU's commitment to racial diversity.
    5. Documented volunteerism to SIUC and Carbondale Community.
    6. Must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 hours) in good standing as defined by the Registrar Office.