February 26, 2009

Scholarships available to non-traditional students

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The deadline is fast approaching for non-traditional students to apply for a pair of scholarship opportunities through the Student Development office at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship and the Non-Traditional Student Service Activity Scholarship each carry a $500 award. All applications are due at 4 p.m. March 20.

The Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship award goes to a full-time, non-traditional sophomore, junior or senior at SIUC who attended any Jackson County, Ill., high school. Financial need is just one of the factors determining the winner. The student service scholarship award is for a full-time, non-traditional undergraduate student with not only academic commitment but service and campus involvement as well.

Application packets for both awards should include the completed application form, two letters of reference with one coming from a faculty member, an official SIUC transcript, a personal statement as to how the scholarship would help the applicant achieve his or her educational goals, a description of campus and community service and involvement and an explanation of how the applicant qualifies as a non-traditional student. Those applying for the Piper-McMahan scholarship should also add a statement of financial need. Submit completed application packets to the Student Development office on the third floor of the Student Center.

Examples of non-traditional students are those who are older than the typical undergraduate student and who may have worked prior to completing college or those who attend a university via non-traditional scheduling due to other responsibilities.

For more information, contact Amanda Phillips, Student Development coordinator of leadership and involvement programs, at 618/453-5714 or via e-mail at phillips@siu.edu.