Additional Scholarships Available to Entering Students
Entering full-time Rockford University students are eligible for the following scholarships applied toward tuition:
The Myrla Block Endowed Scholarship Students must be in a good standing, enrolled in a traditional undergraduate program, be a resident of Rockford, and demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA.
The Carter Family Scholarship was established by Steve and Lisa Carter who believe that diversity is an important consideration in society. Diversity comes in many different forms including race, gender, socio-economic status and thought. Because of this belief the Carters have established a scholarship with the intent that the Rockford University experience continues to be enriched by students with diverse backgrounds, interest and talents.
Barber Colman Management Fund Scholarship was established in 1987 through the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois to provide funds from an endowment directed to Rockford University for scholarships to assist the University with increases in enrollment. Funds are to be awarded to new, incoming students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to 4.0 who will reside on campus and demonstrate financial need. Scholarships are renewable if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA, continues to reside on campus, and demonstrates financial need.
Mary V. Braginton Merit Scholarship was established in 1977 in honor of Dr. Mary V. Braginton, a former professor of classical studies. The fund provides scholarships to first-year or transfer students capable of advanced study in the Classics Department. The award may be renewed for one year but, at the discretion of the Classics faculty, may be extended for more than two years.
Family Educational Opportunity Entitlement Grant is a $500 grant for dependent, full-time students enrolling at Rockford University who have another dependent, sibling or parent pursuing a degree as a full-time student at Rockford University.
Hart Alden Fisher Endowed Scholarship in Math & Science was established in 2011 by Hart Alden Fisher, Class of 1962. It is awarded to a male student who is a United States citizen, has demonstrated financial need by filing a FAFSA, professes to be of the Christian faith, and is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate traditional program student pursuing a degree in the disciplines of Math or Science.
Larry Forman Memorial Biology Scholarship was a professor of biology at Rockford University from 1969 until his death in 2003, and provides funds to students who major in biology.
Helen L. Grant Scholarship was established by Helen L. Grant, Class of 1926. Applicants must complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility, and must have a GPA of 2.2 or higher.
Gertrude Lund Hognander Endowed Scholarship for Leadership in Music and the Performing Arts, established in 2004, was named for alumna Gertrude Lund Hognander, Class of 1937, and provides funds for a full-time student of any year who participates in music or the performing arts programs at Rockford University, demonstrates personal initiative, leadership and teamwork, and is an engaged and positive contributor to one’s school, community and/or performing arts group.
International Student Scholarships – Qualified full-time international students are eligible for scholarships ranging up to $14,000 to be applied to tuition and fees.
Dr. Diane Jenkins Endowed Scholarship was established in 1997 through gifts from Dr. Diane and Mr. Robert Jenkins. The scholarship is given to a student planning to major in education who has graduated from a high school in Winnebago, Boone or Ogle counties, and who has the required academic credentials and financial need. It may be renewed if the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA, and is active in the Education student student organization.
Maxine Burritt Knight and Carlton W. Knight Endowed Scholarship was established in 2005 through an estate gift of Carlton and Maxine Knight (Class of 1934), and provides funds to entering female students who graduated in the top 25 percent of their class from a Rockford public high school. They must demonstrate financial need and have a proven record of significant participation in community service, while having taken part in studying three of the following six disciplines: biology, history, economics, French, Latin, and writing. Preference will be given to those who intend to become a school teacher.
Julieanne Kriens Memorial Scholarship was established in 2010 through the Julieanne Kriens Memorial Foundation, to provide funds to an incoming student under the age of 20 at the start of the first semester of the academic year in which they receive the scholarship, who will be a full-time, traditional program student, who demonstrates an exemplary written record of an ongoing commitment to community service, and who enters with and/or carries a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to students pursuing a degree in a business-related field.
Emerson-Lathrop Memorial Scholarship was established from Mary Emerson Lathrop bequest of 1952, which is given in memory of her father, Ralph Emerson, and her husband, Edward P. Lathrop.
Frances Frisbie Miller Endowed Presidential Scholarship was established in 1998 in memory of Frances Frisbie Miller, Class of 1937, through a gift from her son, L.A. Frisbie Miller. This endowed fund partially supports awards given to Presidential Scholarship recipients at Rockford University.
James C. & Phyllis Spalding Miller Endowed Scholarship was established through an estate gift in 2015. Phyllis was a graduate of the class of 1940, the fund was set up to provide financial aid for deserving students.
Dr. Janice Sikorski Pfeffer Endowed Scholarship was established in 2000 through gifts from Dr. Marc A. Pfeffer, Class of 1969, Dr. Eugene Braunwald, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and other memorial gifts to honor the memory of Dr. Janice Sikorski Pfeffer, Class of 1969. The scholarship annually supports an incoming female first-year student majoring in science or math who intends to pursue a course of study that would lead her to a career in medicine or medical research. This scholarship can be renewed annually.
George Carr Purdy Scholarship was established in 1989 from the estate of Charlotte Purdy Lang, and provides scholarships to one or more undergraduates who show scholastic aptitude, achievement and financial need.
Rockford University Grant is based on financial need as determined by filing the FAFSA.
Gordon Smith/Aqua Aerobic Systems, Inc. Scholarship for Music or Theater Majors was established in memory of G. Gordon Smith, a former member of the Rockford University Board of Trustees and an advocate of the arts, through a generous contribution from Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. It is awarded to a first-year student who intends to major in music, musical theater performance or theater. Employees of Aqua-Aerobic Systems and their immediate family members will be considered for the scholarship first. In the event that no qualified applicant is identified, other qualified applicants will be considered for the scholarship. The scholarship must be used to meet tuition expenses and the recipient must reside on-campus. The scholarship may be renewed if the recipient maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA, is active in the Regent Players (the student theater organization) and participated in at least one theater production per year.
Edna May Taylor Endowed Presidential Scholarship was established in 1998 by Edna May Taylor, Class of 1933. This endowed fund partially supports awards given to Presidential Scholarship recipients at Rockford University.
The Helene Tzitsikas Scholarship was established through the estate of Dr. Helene Tzitsikas, a former Spanish faculty member from 1962-1965. She went on to have a successful career as a scientist at Abbott Laboratories. Students must be in good standing, enrolled in a traditional undergraduate program with a major or minor in Spanish.
Signa Mary Wahlquist Endowed Scholarship in Math & Science was established in 2011 by Hart Alden Fisher, Class of 1962, in memory of his mother. It is awarded to a female student who is a United States citizen, has demonstrated financial need by filing a FAFSA, professes to be of the Christian faith, and is enrolled as a full-time undergraduate traditional program student pursuing a degree in the disciplines of Math or Science.
Harriet Burpee Whitehead Endowed Presidential Scholarship was established in 1998 with a gift from Ruth Whitehead Nicholas, Class of 1947, and her husband, Dan, along with John and Beverly Whitehead, in memory of Ruth and John’s mother, Harriet Burpee Whitehead, Class of 1919. This endowed fund partially supports awards given to Presidential Scholarship recipients at Rockford University.
Daisy Wilbert Endowed Scholarship in Economics was established by Daisy who passed away in 2014 to be awarded to students majoring in Economics.
R. Ray and Nola Wood Endowed Eagle Scout Scholarship was established in 1999 by R. Ray and Nola Wood to assist talented and determined young men in completing their college degree and succeed in life. To qualify for the scholarship, the Eagle Scout must apply to and be accepted by Rockford University. Recipients who are in good academic standing at the end of an academic year may receive the scholarship the following year (up to a maximum of four years).