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Department of Sociology and Anthropology

Scholarships and Awards

We offer a variety of ways to help you along your academic journey.
(The Scott Elliott Award applications are accepted year-round.)

Department Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Skibo Scholars Scholarship

    The goal of Skibo Scholars is to support underserved first time in college students with an interest in anthropology or sociology by building community, creating a sense of belonging, and empowering them with the skills, tools, and connections to flourish in the pursuit of their dreams at ISU.   

    Eligibility Criteria: 

    • Admitted first time in college student
    • Apply by March 1

    Additionally, candidates must meet one of these criteria: 

    • Pell Grant eligible
    • Sociology or Anthropology major  
    • Eligible for Civic Engagement Scholarship 
    • If undeclared, have an interest in Human Development and Services, Humanities and Languages, and Society and Culture career clusters (as defined by Admissions) 

    Scholarship Recipients will receive:   

    A $1,000 scholarship as well as other university services/perks. Please click here for more detailed information on the scholarship package.

    Admitted, first-time-in-college students who meet eligibility criteria will receive an invitation from the Office of Admissions to apply for the Skibo Scholars Scholarship.  If you feel you meet the criteria but have not received an invitation to apply, please contact Admissions . 

  • Ben Keeley Scholarship

    This scholarship is awarded to a senior (90 credit hours completed) sociology or anthropology major who has demonstrated significant involvement in service and/or volunteer work in the community or University. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above to qualify.

    Amount: $1000

  • Social Aspects of Aging Scholarship

    The Public Health and Wellness Scholarship gives recognition and encouragement to an Illinois State University student from Sociology and Anthropology who has shown interest and initiative in the fields of health, aging, or wellness.

    Amount: $800

  • Wib Leonard Scholarship

    The Wib Leonard Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to a student majoring in sociology or anthropology who shows competence and passion for the quantitative side of either discipline. Preference will be given to those who have taken SOA 275, Social Data Analytics.

    Application criteria:

    • Sociology or Anthropology major at Illinois State University
    • Junior or Senior in good standing with a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher
    • Applicants must submit a 1-2 page essay explaining their passion for the quantitative side of sociology or anthropology

    Amount: $500

Scott Elliott Award

This award supports two types of travel for students:

  1. Travel to professional meetings and research activities for graduates and undergraduates. The award offers reimbursement of up to $600 for qualified expenses.
  2. Study abroad experiences for undergraduate students who have been accepted to a study abroad program. The award offers reimbursement of up to $600.  We fund up to three study abroad scholarships in each academic year. 

Qualifications for Professional Meeting/Research Activity Support:

To qualify for support, you must participate in one of the following activities:

  • Make a formal presentation in the form of a poster or podium paper at a professional meeting or conference.
  • Travel domestically or internationally to collect data for a research project.

Apply

Complete the Scott Elliott Professional Meeting/Research Activity Award application

With your application, include a budget of expenses and a 1-2 page paper that describes:

  • The details of the meeting/conference you're attending or your research-related trip
  • The nature of your participation (such as presenting a poster or data for a thesis)

Submit all materials at least two weeks prior to your travel or activity.

Deadline

There is no deadline for this award, but we recommend applying as early in the academic year as possible. Funds are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Qualifications for Study Abroad Support:

  • You must be a Sophmore or Junior Sociology or Anthropology major in good academic standing.
  • You must be accepted into a study abroad program during the summer or following academic year.

Apply

Complete the Scott Elliott Study Abroad Scholarship Application

About Scott Elliott

Scott Elliott is a successful financial entrepreneur who established the Scott Elliott Endowment Fund to provide support to the departments that influenced him the most during his student days at Illinois State University.

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Sociology Undergraduate Scholarships

  • R. Douglas and Janice Irvine Scholarship

    The R. Douglas and Janice Irvine Endowed Scholarship was established in 2013. This scholarship is awarded to one sociology major of at least Sophomore standing who has financial need and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

    Amount: $1,500

  • John A. Kinneman Scholarship

    This scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior sociology major who has demonstrated a serious record of academic excellence. The award is the highest academic honor the department bestows on an undergraduate student.

    Amount: $1000

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Anthropology Scholarships

  • Ed and Juliet Jelks Scholarship

    The Edward and Juliet Jelks Scholarship is awarded to provide financial assistance to an anthropology student enrolled in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology with a concentration in archaeology and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above. The student must be at a grade level of Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or Graduate.

    Amount: $1,000

  • Martin Nickels Scholarship

    This scholarship helps fund field undergraduate school experiences.

    Amount: $750

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Anthropology Awards

  • Ed Jelks Outstanding Anthropology Senior Award

    This award is named in honor of Dr. Ed Jelks, a historical archaeologist, who was the first anthropologist hired at Illinois State University and founding member of the Society for Historical Archaeology as well as the Midwest Archaeological Center. It is given to the senior students who embody academic excellence and active engagement with anthropology within our program.

    Amount: $250

    *This award is determined by Anthropology faculty, no application is necessary.

  • Robert Dirks Senior Thesis Award

    This award is given to an anthropology student in each senior thesis class for the most outstanding thesis.

    Amount: $250

    *This award is determined by Anthropology faculty, no application is necessary.

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Sociology Master's Awards

  • Charter Department Graduate Student Excellence Award

    This award is given to the graduate student who demonstrates the most promise for academic success in the program.

    To qualify, you must have completed one semester of graduate work in the Sociology and Anthropology department or have 18 total credit hours or less (this can include courses dedicated to making up deficiencies).

    Amount: $250

    To apply, submit the following materials to the graduate coordinator:

    • Cover letter
    • Current vita
    • One letter of recommendation from a sociology faculty member
    • A sample of current writing such as a thesis proposal or a paper from a class
    • Any other relevant material such as evidence of good teaching or documentation of honors or awards

  • ASA/ISU Distinguished Sociology Graduate Student Award

    This award is given to the student who has distinguished themself over the course of the master’s degree program. All sociology graduate students who have earned more than 18 total credit hours (including courses dedicated to making up deficiencies) are eligible.

    The winner will receive an honorarium, a certificate from the American Sociological Association, a student membership in ASA, and publication of their name in ASA Footnotes.

    Amount: $250

    To apply, submit the following materials to the graduate coordinator:

    • Cover letter
    • Current vita
    • One letter of recommendation from a sociology faculty member
    • A sample of current writing such as a thesis proposal or a paper from a class
    • Any other relevant material such as evidence of good teaching or documentation of honors or awards

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