Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences

Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences Scholarships

To Apply

Visit the  WIU Scholarship Portal   to apply for scholarships.

Additional Information
  • Scholarship amounts vary based on available funds.
  • The department scholarship committee selects scholarship recipients in accordance with the scholarship criteria and supporting material.

View Scholarships


GIS Majors

George Huseman GIS Scholarship
  • Award: Award amount will be determined by annual interest earnings on the endowment.
  • Criteria: First preference shall be given to entering freshmen from Brown County High School (BCHS) who plan to major in GIS. Applicants must have a minimum composite ACT score of 25; If no applicants from BCHS meet the criteria then the scholarship shall be open to entering freshmen from BCHS with minimum composite ACT score of 25, regardless of intended major; If there are no incoming freshmen eligible for this scholarship, then former graduated students currently enrolled at WIU, with a minimum GPA of 2.75, shall be eligible for this award. First preference will again be given to applicants majoring in GIS; Preference for multiple applicants in any category is given to best academic record; financial need is not a consideration; renewable.
Kenneth R. Martin Memorial Scholarship
  • Award: Award amount of $500 will be awarded to the recipient.
  • Criteria: Declared GIS major; completed 50 or more semester hours of college-level work; completed a minimum of 9 semester hours of coursework in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences; minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA; enrolled full time; renewable (renewed for a second year if the recipient maintains a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and remains enrolled full time as a major in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences).

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GIS or Meteorology Majors

Arthur G. Tillman Memorial Scholarship
  • Award: Usually $1,000, will be determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment.
  • Criteria: Declared GIS or Meteorology major; completed at least 30 semester hours of college credit at Western Illinois University, with an overall GPA pf 3.0 or better; completed at least 9 semester hours of GIS courses at Western Illinois University by the time of application, with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better; renewable (must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better).
  • Application Requirements: Must have at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

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GIS, Geography, or Meteorology Majors

Ruth Russell Memorial Scholarship
  • Award: Award amount will be determined by annual interest earnings on the endowment.
  • Criteria: Declared major in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences; must be enrolled full time; completed 60 semester hours of college level work and be classified as a junior or senior; completed a minimum 9 semester hours of coursework in the Department of Geography; minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA; renewable (for a second year if the recipient maintains a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA and remains enrolled full time as a major in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Geographic Information Sciences).

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Graduate Scholarships

Arlin Fentem and Ronald Nelson Student Scholarship
  • Award: Award amount up to $1,000 ($500 to be dispersed each semester). This gift may be used to assist the student with any costs they determine appropriate. Renewable (recipient must maintain a 3.5 GPA, continues to be enrolled in the WIU Geography program and continues to make progress towards degree completion)
  • Criteria: New student admitted unconditionally to the Master of Science - GIScience and Geoenvironment program OR current, full-time graduate student who has completed one semester (9 credit hours); minimum GPA of 3.5; preference will be given to students with financial need; preference will be given to students who desire to work in the field of Geography.

Richard Longwell Graduate Scholarship
  • Award: Award amount is determined by the annual interest earnings on the endowment; this award may be used to assist a student in the graduate program in Geography; the student will determine the appropriate use of the award; not renewable.
  • Criteria: Full time graduate student (9 semester hours or more); completed a minimum of 9 semester hours; minimum 3.5 GPA; making progress towards degree completion.

Robert K. Fryzek Memorial Scholarship
  • Award:Award amount based on the annual interest earnings on the endowment; renewable only if student is nominated the following year.
  • Criteria: This scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in Geography with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrates leadership within the Department of Geography, university and community.
  • Application Requirements: All Geography faculty and currently enrolled graduate students will be asked to nominate potential awardees. The award winner shall be selected by a vote of all currently enrolled graduate students and Geography faculty.

Ronald Beveridge Memorial Scholarship
  • Award:Award amount will be determined by the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences. Not renewable.
  • Criteria: Currently enrolled full-time outstanding graduate student; completed a minimum of 9 semester hours; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7; exhibit leadership abilities; active participation in the department; at a minimum, have completed at least presentation of proposal (thesis or project).

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