Western Illinois University
Mathematics Department
Mathematics Scholarships for Freshmen
MATHEMATICS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS
(Option A, B, or C)
These are $1,000 scholarships awarded to students through the generosity of alumni of the
Department of Mathematics. They are given to new freshman mathematics majors, currently
enrolled mathematics majors, and transfer students who have mathematics as the intended
major. Each recipient must remain a math major for the period of the scholarship.
Criteria for Freshmen Students
1. Must have an ACT Math Score of at least 23 or be in the upper 25% on an equivalent
national assessment of mathematics ability.
2. Must be in the upper 20% of the student’s high school graduation class.
3. Must be recommended by two high school teachers addressing the student’s interest in
mathematics and potential to succeed in a career related to mathematics.
4. Must remain a math major for the period of the scholarship.
THE ELIZABETH GLENADINE GIBB
MATHEMATICS SCHOLARSHIP
(Option B)
This is a four year scholarship given to a beginning freshman each year. The applicant must be
a Mathematics-Teacher Education major (Option B). The applicant must have a superior
academic record and have demonstrated high ability through a national testing program (the
equivalent of an ACT composite and sub-score in mathematics of at least 27). If a committed
Gibb scholarship becomes available for any reason, then it will be offered to another student of
the same class rank. In order to maintain the scholarship or receive the scholarship as an
alternate, students must have a 3.0 GPA in mathematics and overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 at
the end of the freshman year and a 3.2 GPA in mathematics and overall at the end of the
sophomore year thereafter. All applicants must have the teaching of mathematics as a career
goal.
Criteria for Freshman Students
The applicant must:
1. Exemplify those personal traits which demonstrate potential for successful teaching.
(The high school senior who is applying must have two letters of recommendation in
support of these qualities. One should be from a teacher of mathematics at his/her high
school and one from the principal or counselor of the high school.)
2. The applicant must meet one of the following:
○Have an ACT composite score of at least 27 or equivalent;
○Be in the upper ten percent of the high school class and have an ACT composite score
of at least 22, or;
○Have a 3.2 or above grade point average for all course work at an accredited college of
university.
3. Have the teaching of mathematics as a career goal. (In applying for the scholarship,
students will be asked to describe their goals including the personal reason(s) they see
the teaching of mathematics as a career choice.)
Terms: (amount of award)
$1,000 per year for Freshman through Senior levels.
Selection Process:
The selection of the Gibb Mathematics Scholars shall be made by the Chair of the Department
of Mathematics with the recommendation of the Department’s Advisory Council.
Deadline for Application:
Consideration of applications will begin on April 15 and continue until all scholarships are
awarded.
Criteria for Renewal:
1. Maintain full-time undergraduate student status as a Mathematics - Teacher Education
major at Western Illinois University with the teaching of mathematics as a career goal.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 in all courses completed and at least a 3.0 in all
mathematics courses taken in the first year. A 3.2 (overall and in mathematics) is
required by the end of the second year and thereafter.
FRED RATTNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
(Option A, B, or C)
This is a scholarship given to a beginning freshman (when available). The student must be
enrolled full-time with a major in mathematics and must have an ACT score of 24 or higher (or
the equivalent on a national assessment of mathematics ability) or be in the upper 10% of his or
her class. The award is renewable. A student need not reapply for the award as long as he or
she remains in good standing with the University and maintains a 3.0 or higher grade point
average. The amount of the award is $1,000 per year.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORMS
The application forms for all Mathematics scholarships are available on our website at:
http://www.wiu.edu/cas/math/academic/scholarships.php. If you would like for any of the scholarship
application forms to be sent to you, please contact:
Chair, Department of Mathematics
Western Illinois University
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455-1390
Phone: (309) 298-1054
Email: Mathematics@wiu.edu
Rev. 6/25/15 ss