DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Environmental Health Program

Scholarship Criteria

for

The Kris and George Byrns Environmental Health

Discovery Scholarship Fund

George Byrns spent 25 years working in environmental health with the USPHS Indian Health Service before becoming a faculty member of the Department of Health Sciences in 1999. Like many undergraduate students, Dr. Byrns had several declared majors before discovering the environmental health program. The purpose of this scholarship is to assist those students who select environmental health as their major at Illinois State University. Consideration for this Scholarship will be based on the following criteria:

1.  Academic Good Standing: Applicant must demonstrate a commitment to excellence through their overall high school GPA, ACT score, and high school coursework. Other measures that would predict success in coursework required for the major may be considered.

2.  Award Amount: The scholarship is valued at up to $2,000 for two years. The award will be distributed in increments of $500.00 during the fall and spring semesters.

3. Application Criteria/Procedure:

  1. To be eligible, you must be an incoming freshman or sophomore admitted to Illinois State University as an Environmental Health major in the Department of Health Sciences.
  2. Complete the scholarship application on the back page.
  3. Complete the letter of interest as described on the scholarship application.
  4. Submit application materials to the address below no later than March 21, 2016 to the address provided on the scholarship application.

4. Selection Process:

  1. Application materials will be reviewed by the Department Chairperson. When deemed necessary, the Department Chairperson will interview top candidate(s).
  2. Recipients will be notified in early April and will have until May 1 to accept the scholarship offer.
  3. This scholarship is limited to those applicants who are not currently receiving a scholarship up to the cost of tuition. Financial need will be considered.

5. Continuation Requirements:

a.  Candidates that are awarded this scholarship their fall semester will automatically receive the scholarship again during their spring semester provided they remain in good standing and in compliance with the qualifications established for this scholarship at Illinois State University. Students failing to meet the minimum GPA of 2.5 will have a one semester grace period to meet the minimum level. The limit for any student is $2,000 over two years, payable for fall and spring semesters.

b.  Award winners will be recognized at the Environmental Health Student Recognition Day Ceremony to be held in the spring.

c.  Funds awarded will be applied first to any outstanding balance on the student’s account. Remainder will be sent to the student directly.

ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SCIENCES

The Kris and George Byrns Environmental Health

Discovery Scholarship Fund Application

Name:______Date: ______

Admitted Major: ______UID#:______

Applicant’s Home Address: ______Phone #:______

Applicant’s Email Address: ______Phone #:______

High School GPA::______ACT Score______

INSTRUCTIONS:

Please attach the items listed below. Be sure to include items that you feel support the criteria for the scholarship. Application and attachments will remain confidential.

1.  A letter of interest that describes why the candidate wishes to become an environmental health professional. The letter must include contact information

2.  The name of at least one reference who can reflect on the suitability of this applicant for this field of study. Please include the reference’s relationship to the application, phone number and email address.

3.  Students are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov as soon as possible for the best consideration for this scholarship as well as other financial opportunities available through Illinois State University.

DUE DATE:

Applications must be postmarked March 24, 2017 for consideration. Please submit required documents to:

Department of Health Sciences/Illinois State University

Attn: Scholarship Applications

305 Felmley Hall

Campus Box 5220

Normal, IL 61790-5220

Please direct questions to Dr. George Byrns, Department of Health Sciences (309) 438-8289 or