M.J. Scholarships

The University Honors Program, in cooperation with the Illinois State University Foundation, is pleased to announce the continuation of the M.J. Scholarship Program. These scholarships were endowed by Marie Jessa, a 1926 graduate of Illinois State University who taught business education here from 1946-1966. The purpose of the award is 1) to honor and support Illinois State University seniors who not only have achieved academically, but who have also demonstrated initiative and creativity; and 2) to serve as a challenge for continued development of their potential as fully as possible during their senior year. The application deadline for 2009-2010 awards has passed. Several $1500 scholarships will likely be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year. The qualifications are as follows:

M.J. Scholarship Information
M.J. Scholarship Nomination Form
M.J. Scholarship Explanation of Project Form (application)

The nominee:

  1. Must have been a full-time student at ISU for at least one academic year prior to the senior year. 
  2. Must have earned at least 90 semester hours of credit by August 2009, and must continue as a full-time undergraduate at Illinois State during the entire 2009-10 academic year.
  3. Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher (based on a 4.0 system) at the time the scholarship is granted. (Based on all grades earned prior to the semester the scholarship is granted.)
  4. Must have been directly and actively involved in a variety of campus or off-campus activities.
  5. Must develop a special project or specific program over and above regular classroom activities during the senior year. The project must be constructive in nature and have the potential of benefiting the University, the community, or a group of persons, as well as contributing to the growth and development of the student as an individual. It may be the outgrowth of classwork or be in an entirely unrelated area, developed and carried out independently.
  6. Must have the recommendation of a faculty member, department chairperson or dean of their respective college for consideration for the scholarship award.
  7. Must complete an application form and outline of the project to be undertaken and submit them to the Director of the Honors Program by the application deadline.

Financial need is not to be a consideration in the selection of students; However, receiving the M.J. Scholarship may impact other scholarships.

Who Can Nominate?

With one exception, any faculty member or department chair/school director may nominate a student for the M.J. Scholarship. The exception: any department or school whose major receives a scholarship will not be eligible for an award in the following year. The 2008-09 winners came from the school/department of Communication, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and Nursing. All other departments or schools are eligible to submit nominations for 2009-2010. No student may qualify for more than one award.

Selection of Award Winners:

Each spring faculty members and chairs/directors may nominate student(s) from the majors in their department/school. The Director of the Honors Program will administer an application selection process. Decisions will be announced by early June.

Presentation of Awards:

Winners of the M.J. Scholarship will receive one-half of the award at the beginning of the fall semester of their senior year. The remainder of the award will be given at the beginning of the spring semester, provided an acceptable progress report on the project has been made.