Undergraduate Awards in the Psychology Department
The following awards are available to outstanding undergraduate students in Psychology:
Please download the application here. This application is completed for consideration of all relevant awards below, thus, only one application is necessary. Applications are due February 1 to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Christine Malecki.
The Elizabeth J. Schwantes Undergraduate Scholarship:
Emphasizes academic merit. This scholarship is for a junior psychology major who has attained a GPA of at least 3.5 based on NIU coursework. There are additional criteria for this scholarship (e.g., 36 semester hours at NIU, 9 semester hours in the major, etc.). Additionally, the student would need to be endorsed by departmental faculty as an outstanding student in the Psychology Department. The student selected as the Elizabeth J. Schwantes Scholar will receive a monetary award amount not to exceed the NIU in-state freshman undergraduate tuition for one year. The Elizabeth J. Schwantes Scholarship is given to three NIU students each year, one in each of the following majors: Psychology, Computer Science, and Geography.
The Dean's Award:
Emphasizes service to the department or college. This award is for a graduating senior psychology major who has made substantial contributions to the university community, has attained a GPA of at least 3.0, and is supported by departmental faculty based on the student's service to the department or college.
The Department Outstanding Research/Scholar Award:
Emphasizes research and scholarship contributions and accomplishments. This is a monetary award ($200) with accompanying certificate presented annually to a senior psychology major who has demonstrated distinction through both research and scholarly potential, as well as academic excellence. To become eligible for this award, the student must be supported by a faculty member who provides a positive reference for him or her. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required and a minimum 3.0 GPA in psychology courses is also required.
The A. Bond & Margaret F. Woodruff Scholarship Award:
Emphasizes academic scholarship and academic achievement as indicated by GPA overall and in psychology at NIU, with financial need also taken into account. Candidates are full-time undergraduate psychology majors who will have junior or senior standing at the time the scholarship is awarded. This award is given in Psychology every other year as it rotates with the School of Music. Candidates must have completed at least one semester and at least 12-credit hours of study at NIU at the time of selection. The recipients's overall GPA must be 3.0 or above. This is an approximately $600 scholarship to be used to provide academic/scholarship assistance, such as help in covering costs for tuition, books, etc. The spring of 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, etc. are the semesters this award will be awarded in the Psychology Department.