February 01, 2016

High-achieving students, families, to visit SIU Carbondale

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University and the Carbondale community will welcome nearly 400 high-achieving high school seniors and their family members on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, for the Chancellor’s and University Excellence Scholarship Interview Weekend. 

Students will interview for the university’s top scholarships, tour campus, visit their future colleges, participate in mini-classes, attend informational sessions, and explore services and student organizations. About 100 of the students will stay overnight in campus residence halls.  

The students and families, together totaling more than 1,000 visitors to the campus and community, are coming from 16 states. All of the students have already been admitted to the university. 

“Scholarship interview weekend gives outstanding students a first-hand look at the quality of our academic programs, the many resources that contribute to student success, our welcoming faculty and staff, and our beautiful region,” Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell said.  “We are honored to welcome students and families interested in making SIU their college of choice.” 

Students unable to attend the weekend event interviewed for scholarships on an alternate date. Overall, 438 students were invited to the interview weekend based on their ACT scores, academic credentials and high school activities.  

SIU will award 25 Chancellor’s Scholarships, which cover tuition, fees and room and board for four years, and a larger number of University Excellence Scholarships, which is an $8,500 award for four years.