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Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Scholarships

The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers many different student scholarships each year, including many created and supported by our alumni.

Scholarships Options by languages

French Scholarships

The Scholarship for French Study Abroad

The Scholarship for French Study Abroad is to be used for travel expenses, tuition, room and board, and other costs related to study abroad in a French-speaking country. The scholarship will be awarded as funds become available.

Requirements

  • French majors enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University
  • Intention to study for one or two semesters in a French-speaking country
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in French
  • Have applied for financial aid for the present semester and for the semester or summer in which they plan to study abroad
  • Meet the prerequisites to participate in a French language study-abroad program endorsed by the French faculty at ISU

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA and French GPA
  • Total years of French study and a list of college-level French courses taken
  • The location and duration of study abroad program
  • The names of the two instructors of French, preferably members of the Illinois State French faculty, who will be providing letters of recommendation
  • Proof of completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
  • Essay of 350-700 words explaining the student's interest in French and Francophone culture, future career plans, and any other reasons he or she should be considered for this scholarship. Students who have taken two or more courses at the 200 level should write their essay in French; others may write their essays in English

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The Petrossian-Tarrant Scholarship

Alumni and friends of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures initiated the Petrossian-Tarrant Scholarship in honor of two influential Illinois State University foreign language faculty members: Dr. George A. Petrossian and Dr. Patrick Tarrant. The Petrossian-Tarrant Scholarship was established to supplement travel abroad expenses for Illinois State foreign language students.

Learn more about the scholarship's history.

Requirements

  • Be enrolled in good standing at ISU and meet the prerequisites to participate in the French language study-abroad program endorsed by the French faculty at ISU
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Strong academic achievement as evidenced by a cumulative GPA in French of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and an overall GPA of at least 3.0

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA and French GPA
  • Total years of French study and a list of college-level French courses taken
  • The location and duration of study abroad program
  • The names of the two instructors of French, preferably members of the Illinois State French faculty, who will be providing letters of recommendation
  • Proof of completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
  • Essay of 350-700 words (preferably in French depending on level of proficiency) explaining the student's interest in French and Francophone culture, general intellectual interests, future career plans, and any other reasons he or she should be considered for this scholarship

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The Catherine O'Leary Endowed French Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in memory of Catherine O'Leary, a lifelong Francophile. Catherine took French all through high school during which she traveled for the first time to France. She then earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in French, after which she was hired by Air France and was the first American female to handle flight planning and aircraft load for Air France. Catherine had a rich and long career with Air France that permitted her to use her French daily.

Requirements

  • Accepted for enrollment or enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University
  • Undergraduate or Transfer student majoring in French or a student who has already completed the coursework for a minor in French and who intends on taking at least one more French class
  • Demonstrated strong academic achievement

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • The names of the two instructors of French, preferably members of the Illinois State French faculty, who will be providing letters of recommendation
  • A brief essay (preferably in French depending on level of proficiency) explaining the student's interest in French and Francophone culture, career goals, volunteer activities, and community service

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The World Wide Campus Student Opportunity Fund

The World Wide Campus Student Opportunity Fund provides financial support to undergraduate students of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University who plan to participate in a semester-long study abroad program connected with the university. This grant is intended to supplement travel funds provided by departments/schools or other organization.

Requirements

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Must have a first or second major in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Endorsement of student's Chair/Director

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA and Major GPA
  • School and Country of Travel; Dates of study abroad
  • A brief essay about why the student has chosen the country where they are studying, and how the study abroad will complement their academic and professional plans.

Applications and materials should be submitted by the 2nd Friday in April (for Fall travel) or the 2nd Friday in October (for Spring travel) .

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German

German Alumni New Student Scholarship

Established in 2008 with the generous support of German alumni, this scholarship is awarded annually to three or more students who enter Illinois State as German majors. Applications are accepted each year and are open to students just starting as well as those who are beginning at ISU as transfers. Awards will be announced each year at which time scholarship recipients will receive notification.

Requirements

  • New or transfer student
  • Enrolled as a German major (at any level)

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • First semester of study at Illinois State University
  • Cumulative GPA (High School or College)
  • GPA in German
  • Total years of German study
  • The name of the instructor of German who will be providing letter of recommendation
  • A brief essay (preferably in German depending on level of proficiency) explaining the student's interest in German, general intellectual interests, thoughts on future career/profession, and any other reasons for consideration

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The David J. Parent Scholarship

The David J. Parent Scholarship is awarded annually each spring to a student who demonstrates a love for, commitment to, and appreciation of a foreign culture.

Requirements

  • Enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Enrolled as a language major (with preference given to German majors)

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA
  • Proof of completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
  • The name of the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures instructor who will be providing letter of recommendation

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The World Wide Campus Student Opportunity Fund

The World Wide Campus Student Opportunity Fund provides financial support to undergraduate students of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University who plan to participate in a semester-long study abroad program connected with the university. This grant is intended to supplement travel funds provided by departments/schools or other organization.

Requirements

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Must have a first or second major in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Endorsement of student's Chair/Director

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA and Major GPA
  • School and Country of Travel; Dates of study abroad
  • A brief essay about why the student has chosen the country where they are studying, and how the study abroad will complement their academic and professional plans

Applications and materials should be submitted by the 2nd Friday in April (for Fall travel) or the 2nd Friday in October (for Spring travel).

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Spanish

Jo Ann Kelley Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Spanish

Established in memory of Jo Ann Kelley, who after serving in the U.S. Army, went to Illinois State University on the GI Bill, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Spanish. She felt that her college years were very transformative for her.

Requirements

  • Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University
  • Enrolled as a language major (with preference given to Spanish majors)
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Demonstrated financial need

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA
  • Academic Level
  • The name of the instructor of Spanish who will be providing letter of recommendation
  • Proof of completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
  • Brief essay (preferably in Spanish depending on proficiency) explaining the student's interest in Spanish, general intellectual interests, thoughts on future career/profession, and any other reasons he or she should be considered for this scholarship

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The Ana Maria F. Parent Scholarship

The Ana Maria F. Parent Endowed Scholarship was created to preserve her memory and legacy through the successes of students majoring in Spanish in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

Requirements

  • Accepted for enrollment or enrolled in good standing at Illinois State University
  • Declared Spanish major
  • Completed or enrolled in at least two courses in the Spanish major
  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or better

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA
  • List of college-level Spanish courses taken
  • The location and duration of study abroad program
  • The name of the instructor of Spanish who will be providing letter of recommendation
  • Brief essay (preferably in Spanish depending on proficiency) addressing the student's interest in Spanish, future career plans, and any volunteer activities and/or community service involvement

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

Allie Ward Billingsley Scholarship

Dr. Billingsley was a professor of Spanish in the Department of Foreign Languages at Illinois State for about 25 years. She also served as Spanish section coordinator. Among her many contributions to the department was her effort in organizing and support of the Eta Upsilon chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the Spanish Honor Society.

Requirements

  • Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student attending Illinois State University
  • Declared Spanish major (Graduate level preference given to students with Literature emphasis)
  • Demonstrated commitment to teaching
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Academic level
  • Cumulative GPA
  • The name of the instructor of Spanish who will be providing letter of recommendation
  • Proof of completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid
  • Brief essay (preferably in Spanish depending on proficiency) addressing the student's interest in Spanish, future career plans, and any volunteer activities and/or community service involvement

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

Roger R. Ruddy Memorial Scholarship

This award provides financial assistance for direct educational expenses such as tuition, books, and/or fees.

Requirements

  • Enrolled in good standing in Illinois State University undergraduate program
  • Declared Spanish Education major OR Language education major enrolled in Latin language sequence
  • Demonstrated financial need

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA
  • The name of the instructor of Spanish who will be providing letter of recommendation
  • Proof of completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid

Applications and materials should be submitted by March 1 st.

The World Wide Campus Student Opportunity Fund

The World Wide Campus Student Opportunity Fund provides financial support to undergraduate students of the College of Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University who plan to participate in a semester-long study abroad program connected with the university. This grant is intended to supplement travel funds provided by departments/schools or other organization.

Requirements

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Must have a first or second major in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Endorsement of student's Chair/Director

Application Process

The application for this award can be found here. Please be prepared to provide the following materials:

  • Name, UID, and contact information
  • Plan(s) of study
  • Cumulative GPA and Major GPA
  • School and Country of Travel; Dates of study abroad
  • A brief essay about why the student has chosen the country where they are studying, and how the study abroad will complement their academic and professional plans

Applications and materials should be submitted by the 2nd Friday in April (for Fall travel) or the 2nd Friday in October (for Spring travel).

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Other Scholarships

Illinois State University, along with The College of Arts and Sciences, home to the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, also offers scholarships and other student awards.