January 29, 2019

SIU welcomes top students for scholarship interviews Feb. 1 and 2

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- More than 320 high-achieving students and their family members will be at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Friday and Saturday for the Chancellor’s and University Excellence Scholarship Interview Weekend.  

Students will interview for the university’s top scholarships, tour campus, visit colleges, and learn about the University Honors program, student life and more. About 60 of the students will stay overnight in campus residence halls.   

“I’m looking forward to this weekend as an opportunity to show the nation’s best and brightest students and their families what makes our university special,” Interim Chancellor John M. Dunn said. “They will learn firsthand about our quality academic programs and committed faculty and staff. They also will have the chance to see what makes our region special and why their decision to become a Saluki will be a positive, life changing experience.” 

More than 800 visitors from 18 states 

The students and families, together totaling more than 800 visitors to Carbondale and the campus, are coming from 18 states. All of the students are already admitted to the university.  

Nearly 360 students invited 

Students unable to attend the weekend event interviewed for scholarships on an alternate date. Overall, 360 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 a $9,500 award per year for four years. 

On March 25, the university will host at least 50 students who will be interviewing for a Provost Scholarship. SIU will award five Provost Scholarships, which covers tuition and fees for two years for transfer students and a larger number of Transfer Achievement Scholarships, which are valued at $8,000 a year for two years.