Nicholas Joseph DiGrino
Memorial Scholarship for Special Education Majors
Western Illinois University
CRITERIA: To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled at Western Illinois
University and pursuing a degree in Special Education. Applicants must have passed the basic skills
test and be admitted to the teacher education program and have a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate community and/or university service and
commitment to children with disabilities.
APPLICATIONS: Applications can be obtained from the Department of Curriculum & Instruction,
Horrabin Hall room 69, Western Illinois University.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Two letters of professional recommendation from individuals who can
attest to the applicant’s commitment to individuals with disabilities, skills acquired to be an effective
educator, and participation in activities that support special education must be submitted with the
application.
TERMS: The amount of the award shall be $1,000 annually applied to the student’s account, $500 in
the fall semester and $500 in the spring semester.
SELECTION PROCESS: Department of Curriculum & Instruction Scholarship Committee shall
select recipients of this scholarship.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Financial need is not a consideration.
INQUIRIES: For questions about this award, please contact the Department of Curriculum &
Instruction, Horrabin Hall room 69, Western Illinois University or call 309-298-1961.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: April 1 (Recipients shall be selected no later than May 1.)
RENEWABLE: If awarded to a junior, scholarship is renewable for senior year.
CRITERIA FOR RENEWAL: Maintain GPA
Nicholas Joseph DiGrino Memorial Special Education Scholarship Application
Please click on the grey box to begin typing in each area.
STUDENT INFORMATION:
Name:
WIU ID#:
Local Address:
Cumulative grade point average:
Cumulative grade point average in major (special education courses):
PERSONAL INFORMATION: In a narrative please respond to the following points. All points
must be included in the application for consideration. Narrative should be three pages or less.
BACKGROUND: Applicant should briefly describe personal history. For example, information about
the student’s family experiences, educational experiences, and events that motivated the applicant to
choose special education as a career should be included.
SERVICE ACTIVITIES: The applicant should describe his/her degree of involvement in
extracurricular activities such as Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Special Olympics, or other
related activities.
WORK EXPERIENCE: The applicant should list and describe the paid and volunteer work
experiences related to special education that he/she has held.
PERSONAL STATEMENT: The applicant should substantiate a sincere desire to become a
competent and effective teacher of students with special needs. The applicant should describe his/her
approach to working with students with exceptionalities, including specific student teaching goals, and
career goals.
CURRENT RESUME: Please include a current complete resume.