Application opens: November 1, 2023
Application closes: February 1, 2024
Purpose:
The Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ILSGC) will award scholarships to outstanding students pursuing an undergraduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) disciplines that support NASA’s mission.
Awards:
A total of up to (30) $3,000* scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. Funding will be released incumbent upon authorization of funds by NASA.
Requirements:
- U.S. citizen
- Must be enrolled at least as a half-time student in both the fall and spring semesters at an ISGC affiliate institute:
- Bradley University
- Chicago State University
- City Colleges of Chicago
- DePaul University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Northern Illinois University
- Northwestern University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- The University of Chicago
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- At least half-time student majoring in a STEM area, including but not limited to engineering, computer science, the biological and life sciences, chemistry, geological sciences, physics, and astronomy. We are specifically interested in students whose academic major and career aspirations are relevant to NASA.
- Must be an undergraduate in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
- Good academic standing
- Students may only receive this funding twice during their degree
- Completed online application (see below). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- All application materials must be submitted electronically by February 1, 2024, 11:59 pm.
Award winners will be chosen based on student qualifications and applications. Women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and U.S. military veterans are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Complete the Scholarship Application. As part of the application, you will be asked to upload the following:
- A one to two-page Statement of Interest should include:
- Your reasons for seeking this scholarship.
- Evidence of your previous and current interest/experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) as related to NASA interests.
- A current resumé.
- Copy of your high school transcript (incoming Freshmen only)
- Copy of most recent college transcript (can be an unofficial transcript)
- Provide one academic reference, which should include the full contact information of the reference (name, address, position, institution, email, phone, etc.). A letter from the reference is not needed at this time.
Selection:
Scholarships will be awarded to students with the highest academic merit and submit a complete application.
Awardees must complete the following before their funding will be established:
- Sign and return their award letters by the deadlines provided.
- Create an account on the NASA gateway system.
- Awardees agree to participate in the Illinois/NASA longitudinal tracking process. This involves requesting information from recipients to determine whether Space Grant-funded opportunities impact a student’s future education/career plans. All awardees must agree to provide timely information for this report. The data is used to demonstrate the success of the Space Grant program to NASA so that funding will continue to be appropriated for future students. The tracking occurs through the first year of your next step. For example: if you are a junior who receives a scholarship, we will ask for your information yearly until you enter graduate school or take a position in your career field.
Failing to meet the above criteria will cancel the award, and the student will receive a rescind letter.
Provided candidates meet minimum eligibility requirements, at least one applicant from each affiliate institution will be awarded a scholarship.
Acceptance of this award may impact a student’s income level to a degree that could affect eligibility for other funding – including student loans. The student must consult with their undergraduate student office and their campus financial aid advisors. ILSGC encourages students to meet with their financial aid officers prior to application submission.
Deadline and Notification of Awards
| Submission Deadline: |
|---|
| February 1, 2024, 11:59 PM |
After screening for eligibility, successful applicants will be notified by the ILSGC and affiliate institution. Notifications will also be sent to the affiliate institution.
Timeline
- November 1, 2023 – Application Opens
- February 1, 2024 – Application Closes
- February – March 2024 – The selection Process occurs
- By March 31,2024 – Notification to awardees
- May 1, 2024 – Awardees must accept by this date and all criteria met
- Fall 2024 and Spring 2025– Your institution will disperse the payment according to their policies.*
* Funding will be released incumbent upon authorization of funds by NASA and the affiliate subaward is in place