Department Scholarships & Awards
The characteristics on which the Department of Finance, Insurance and Law faculty members base all student academic awards include but are not limited to high overall academic achievement and high integrity. Student personal character is verified for all awards after the release of Illinois State student judicial records to the members of the department Honors Team. Deadline for scholarship applications is January 31, 2022 at midnight.
Application form for Finance, Insurance and Law Awards.
Outstanding Senior Finance or Insurance Student
The award is presented to a graduating senior with a major in Finance or with a major in Insurance. Selection criteria include documented success in major course work, participation in appropriate academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a business professional.
Outstanding Junior Finance or Insurance Student
The award is presented to a junior with a major in Finance or with a major in Insurance. Selection criteria include documented success in major course work, participation in appropriate academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a business professional.
Center for Investment Research Award
Sponsored by the Center for Investment Research, the award is presented to a senior Finance major who has excelled in advanced level Finance course work, especially in classes relating to investment topics, and who is interested in a career in investment analysis or portfolio management.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Scholarship
The scholarship is presented to a graduating senior, or an MBA student, who has participated in the Finance course that prepares students to take the Chartered Financial Analyst Level I exam, administered by the Association for Investment Management and Research.
Educational Investment Fund (EIF) Scholarship and Participation Scholarship
Scholarships are presented to either senior Finance majors who have excelled in the Educational Investment Fund course (FIL 370) or a student, typically during the junior year, who has a commitment to completing the Educational Investment Fund course in a later semester. Selection criteria include participation in other academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a professional in the financial world. Funding for scholarships come from investment returns that the students earn by managing the actual equity portfolio.
Educational Fixed-income Fund Scholarship
Scholarships are presented to Finance majors, Insurance majors, or Financial Planning minors who have excelled in the course Fixed-income Analysis and Portfolio Management (FIL 346). Selection criteria include participation in other academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a professional in the financial world. Funding for scholarships come from the portfolio management fees earned by investing in an actual fixed-income portfolio.
Finance Achievement Award
The awards are presented to senior Finance majors at Illinois State University who show exceptional promise for a successful career in Finance after graduation. Selection criteria include performance in advanced level Finance course work, active participation in relevant extracurricular activities, and a commitment to being a capable and ethical Finance professional.
Finance Futurity Award
The award is presented to a freshmen or sophomore with a major in Finance. Selection criteria include documented success in Illinois State University course work, participation in appropriate academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a business professional. The characteristics on which the Department of Finance, Insurance and Law faculty members base the award include but are not limited to high overall academic achievement and high integrity. Completion or current enrollment in FIL 190 is preferred.
Insurance Futurity Award
The award is presented to a freshmen or sophomore with a major in Insurance. Selection criteria include documented success in Illinois State University course work, participation in appropriate academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a business professional. The characteristics on which the Department of Finance, Insurance and Law faculty members base the award include but are not limited to high overall academic achievement and high integrity. Completion or current enrollment in FIL 250 is preferred.
Finance Professional Excellence Award
The award is presented to a senior Finance major at Illinois State University who has shown exceptional performance as an intern in a professional work-place. Selection criteria include a strong work ethic, initiative, and the ability to work effectively and diplomatically with people across a range of organizational levels. The committee gives preference to internships done for class credit (FIL 298 or FIL 398); however, this is not required to be eligible for the award.
Illinois State Alumni in Finance Student Excellence Award
Funded by the Illinois State Alumni in Finance organization, the qualifications for the award are a minimum 3.35 overall GPA, intentions to pursue a career in an investment-related field, leadership in co-curricular activities within the University and the College of Business, and leadership in the community through charity and active volunteering. The award also includes an invitation to visit a member of the ISAF network, in a professional setting.
LaVerne A. Cox College of Business Alumni Scholarship
The late LaVerne Cox was a Department of Finance, Insurance and Law professor known for encouraging students to develop leadership skills through participation in community and extracurricular activities. The award is presented to a Finance major who has made significant contributions through student organizations, departmental activities, or other forms of service.
Outstanding Legal Environment Student Award
This award is presented to a student at Illinois State University who has excelled scholastically in undergraduate course work relating to the field of business law. The selection criteria include superior academic performance in the Legal Environment of Business course, strong performance in other law-based undergraduate course work, and an interest in going to law school.
Finance Initiative Award
The awards are presented to junior or senior Finance majors at Illinois State University who show exceptional promise for a successful career in Finance after graduation. Selection criteria include performance in Finance course work, active participation in relevant extracurricular activities, and a commitment to being a capable and ethical Finance professional.
Jeff Secord Financial Planning Award
The award is presented to student who has excelled in classes related to financial planning and who is interested in a career in financial planning.
COUNTRY Financial Distinguished Junior or Senior in Finance Award
The award is presented to a junior or senior with a major in Finance. Selection criteria include strong academic performance in Finance courses, participation in appropriate academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a business professional.
COUNTRY Financial Distinguished Junior or Senior in Insurance Award
The award is presented to a junior or senior with a major in Insurance. Selection criteria include strong academic performance in Insurance courses, participation in appropriate academic and extracurricular activities, and a commitment to success as a business professional.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships listed above is Monday, January 31, 2022. All materials must be received by the deadline to be considered
Caring Cetera Diversity Scholarship in Financial Planning
The “Caring Cetera Diversity Scholarship in Financial Planning” is a $5,000 award sponsored by Caring Cetera, an organization committed to helping young people who are seeking careers in financial planning and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial services.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete online application form. The application must be completed by Wednesday, February 23, 2022. All materials must be received by the deadline to be considered
Award winners will be contacted in March.
