Scholarships and Prizes

In addition to awards offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Department of History annually honors undergraduate, graduate, and alumni achievements through scholarships, prizes, and awards. Many are named for distinguished faculty and alumni who have shaped the department’s legacy.

Students and faculty may apply or nominate individuals for multiple awards if eligibility is met. Contact faculty or the department office for guidance. This list includes the Hugh Jameson Graduate Student Essay Prize and the James R. Shirley Graduate Article Prize but excludes other graduate funding opportunities.

Jeannie A. Hainds Scholarship (2)

The late Jeannie Armstrong Hainds was a long-time supporter of NIU and the humanities. She established an endowment to benefit undergraduate education in the Department of History in 1982. The two scholarships given in her name honor her wish to support academic excellence in our department. The scholarships are awarded to two students exemplifying past and potential academic achievement through their outstanding credentials and/or through overcoming a significant obstacle.

  • Monetary Award: $500–$1,000 (subject to fund availability)
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors
  • Application: Via MyScholarships

Patrick White History Education Scholarships (multiple)

Patrick White (1926–2006) began teaching American constitutional law and politics at the NIU Department of History in 1961. His interests centered on the role of judges and courts as policymakers in a democratic society. White served in various administrative roles, including director of Foreign Study programs and assistant chair of the Department of History. These scholarships recognize teacher certification candidates in History and the Social Sciences at the beginning of student teaching who have exhibited excellence in discipline, curriculum planning, scholarship, and potential as a teacher. They are awarded for the semester of student teaching.

  • Monetary Award: Multiple awards, $300–$3,000
  • Eligibility: Students admitted to the Educator Licensure Program who have completed all requirements
  • Application: Nominated by the Educator Licensure Program
  • Deadline: Nominations during fall and spring semesters

Oscar Matasar History Scholarship

Oscar Matasar (1915–1996) was an alumnus of the NIU Department of History. After serving in World War II, he returned to complete his degree and became a high school history teacher. This scholarship recognizes a student of high academic achievement with financial need. Students from non-traditional backgrounds or underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

  • Monetary Award: $1,000
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors who have completed at least six hours of history at NIU and demonstrate financial need
  • Application: Submit the application form, two letters of recommendation (submitted directly by faculty), and a two- to three-page personal statement. Applications may also be submitted via MyScholarships.

Marvin Rosen Undergraduate Scholarship

This scholarship honors Marvin Rosen (1934–2001), a dedicated teacher at NIU for nearly 40 years. An endowment was established in his memory to recognize students whose passion for history extends beyond the classroom. Freshmen and sophomores demonstrating motivation and initiative are encouraged to apply.

  • Monetary Award: $1,000
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors or minors with at least six hours of history courses
  • Application: Submit the application form, one letter of recommendation, and a 500–750 word personal statement. Applications may also be submitted via MyScholarships.

James P. and Mary Clare Sczepaniak Scholarships (multiple, renewable)

  • Monetary Award: $300 per awardee, renewable up to three times; up to three awards per academic year (subject to fund availability)
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors who have completed at least 15 but no more than 45 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Application: Submit the application form and a one-page personal statement (explaining interest in history, career goals, financial need, etc.) in PDF format to history@niu.edu. Include one letter of recommendation (submitted directly by the faculty member).
  • Renewals: Reviewed each spring based on a minimum 2.75 GPA and progress toward the degree. Additional materials may be requested.

Anita M. Andrew Memorial Scholarship in Asian Studies

Anita M. Andrew (1953–2018), Ph.D. (History, University of Minnesota, 1993); M.A. (East Asian Studies, Indiana University, 1979); B.A. (Asian Studies, Wheaton College); and M.A. (1975) served as an Associate Professor of Chinese and Comparative Asian History at NIU from 1995 until her passing in December 2018. Before NIU, she was a visiting instructor at Beloit College (1988–1994). Anita was a dedicated teacher and mentor, inspiring many to pursue graduate study. This scholarship honors her commitment to the interdisciplinary study of Asia.

The scholarship provides support for undergraduate students participating in interdisciplinary coursework or learning experiences in Asian or Asian American studies.

  • Monetary Award: $750–$2,000
  • Eligibility: Junior or senior undergraduates in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) who have completed Asian and/or Asian American coursework in at least two disciplines (or participated in/planned participation in an accredited study abroad program in Asia with coursework in at least one discipline). Preference is given to History majors/minors and to those interested in further study or careers using their training.
  • Application: Submit a two-page personal statement (in Word format) explaining your interest in Asian/Asian American history or studies, career goals, and reasons for eligibility to history@niu.edu. Also, arrange for one letter of recommendation (submitted directly by the faculty member) to the department.

Donald L. Hatch, Jr. and Elizabeth Klaus Hatch Scholarship (1-4)

This scholarship supports full-time junior and senior history majors enrolled in the History and Social Science Secondary Educator Licensure Program who graduated from an Illinois high school. Preference is given to students who have had to forgo employment to complete their student teaching requirements.

  • Monetary Award: $250–$1,000
  • Eligibility: Junior and senior undergraduates, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8, Illinois high school graduates, and demonstrating financial need
  • Application: Nominated by the Teacher Licensure Program

Bruce W. Zabel Undergraduate Scholarship (2)

This scholarship supports undergraduate students pursuing a degree in History. Two scholarships are awarded each year.

  • Monetary Award: $1,000
  • Eligibility: History majors with at least 15 credit hours in History and a minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Application: Faculty nomination

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Award

This award recognizes a history student for outstanding overall academic performance.

  • Monetary Award: $100
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors
  • Application: Faculty nominations – submit a supporting statement to history@niu.edu.

HIST 495 Research Paper Prize (2)

This prize is awarded to the two research papers written in the HIST 495 Research Seminar that demonstrate the most significant scholarly achievement. (HIST 495 is required for all history majors.)

  • Monetary Award: $250
  • Eligibility: Students who have completed HIST 495
  • Application: Faculty or self-nominations by submitting the student’s paper and application electronically to history@niu.edu.

Outstanding History Student Award (2)

This award recognizes two students who demonstrate superior academic performance and have contributed to the academic or non-academic community.

  • Monetary Award: $250
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors
  • Application: Faculty nominations – submit a supporting statement to history@niu.edu.

James R. and Helen Shirley Undergraduate Essay Prizes

James R. Shirley (1925–1993) joined the Department of History in 1962 as a specialist in Chinese history. Renowned for his teaching, he made Asian history popular among students. The Shirley family established an endowment in honor of James and Helen. These prizes are awarded for outstanding essays submitted by undergraduate students in any history course (other than HIST 495) during the previous two semesters.

  • Monetary Award: $250
  • Eligibility: Undergraduate history majors or minors
  • Application: Faculty or self-nominations – submit the essay and application to history@niu.edu.

Hugh Jameson Graduate Student Essay Prize

Hugh Jameson (1897–1980) served as a professor of history at NIU for 35 years. This prize recognizes the best research essay submitted by a graduate student in a history research seminar during the previous two semesters.

  • Monetary Award: $250
  • Eligibility: Graduate students
  • Application: Faculty nominations or self-nominations. Essays (and the Graduate Prize Cover Letter) should be submitted via this link and emailed to history@niu.edu.

James R. Shirley Graduate Article Prize

  • Monetary Award: $250
  • Eligibility: Priority is given to the two best graduate student essays submitted for publication in a scholarly journal during the previous calendar year. The History Department Graduate Committee may also award this prize for highly meritorious graduate essays completed for coursework during the previous calendar year.
  • Application: Faculty or self-nominations – submit the essay and application electronically to history@niu.edu.

Each year, the Department of History recognizes one alumnus or alumna with distinction in a chosen career—whether in academia, public service, self-employment, or another field. The award winner is invited back to NIU for a celebration and to present to faculty and students.

  • Monetary Award: $200, plus travel expenses to visit NIU
  • Eligibility: NIU Department of History alumni (B.S., B.A., M.A., Ph.D.)
  • Application: Faculty and student nominations – submit a short statement to historyawards@niu.edu.

Additional Information

If you have any questions or need further information about the scholarships, awards and prizes, please contact the Department of History at history@niu.edu. Faculty and students are encouraged to discuss nomination opportunities and eligibility requirements with the department.

Scholarship applications must be submitted via MyScholarships. All other nominations should be emailed to historyawards@niu.edu. Deadline: Feb. 15 annually.

Contact

Department of History
Zulauf 715
Phone: 815-753-0131
Email: history@niu.edu

Our office is open Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., except for a daily lunch break from noon-1 p.m.

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