Honors Award for Incoming Freshmen

The Honors Award is a renewable scholarship for incoming freshmen entering Eastern Illinois University's Honors Program, providing up to $3,500 per year split between fall and spring semesters. This award is renewable for four years, making it worth up to $14,000 total over the course of an undergraduate degree. Eligibility requires either a minimum 3.75 high school GPA on a 4.00 scale, or a minimum 3.5 high school GPA combined with an SAT score of 1230 or ACT score of 26. The scholarship can be combined with other EIU academic merit scholarships but cannot be combined with the Presidential Scholarship. To retain the award, recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.40, maintain full-time consecutive enrollment, and remain in good academic and disciplinary standing with Eastern Illinois University, the University Honors Program, and the Presidential Scholars Program. The selection process evaluates high school transcripts, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and personal essays, with particular emphasis on leadership potential, ambition, and intellectual maturity. Financial need of academically eligible students may also be considered. Applications are reviewed by the Honors Council, which consists of faculty and students. Students who have already applied for the Presidential Scholarship are automatically considered for this award and do not need to submit a separate application.