|
The number of scholarships made through this program, as well as the individual dollar amount awarded, are subject to sufficient annual appropriations by the Illinois General Assembly and the Governor.
Students who, based on data reported by the high school, performed in the top five percent* of their high school class at the end of their third semester before graduation, or scored among the top five percent of scores in the ACT, SAT or Prairie State Achievement Exam, may be eligible to receive $1,000 from the Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Program. This one-time, non-renewable scholarship can be used to help pay for tuition, fees or other educational expenses at any approved Illinois institution or one of the nation's four approved Military Service Academies.
Eligibility
To be eligible, a student must:
- Performed in the top five percent* of his or her high school class according to performance-based academic data reported by the high school at the end of the third semester prior to graduation**
- Have taken the ACT, SAT or Prairie State Achievement Exam between September 1 and June 30 (by the end of the third semester before high school graduation**) and receive a score in the top 5 percent* of all students in Illinois who take the test during the same time period
- Attend an approved Illinois postsecondary institution as an undergraduate on at least a half-time basis, or attend one of the nation's four approved Military Service Academies
- Comply with federal Selective Service registration requirements
- Claim the MRS award within one year after high school graduation, but not later than June 15 of the academic year following high school graduation (for example, an MRS recipient who graduates from high school in May 2006 must claim the award by June 15, 2007)
**(typically the end of the junior year in high school)
Selection and Notification Process
There is no student application to complete for the MRS Program - by taking one of the standardized tests or performing in high school as stated under eligibility, a student is automatically considered for this scholarship. High school counselors submit information to ISAC for the selection process.
Once the MRS appropriation has been determined through the state legislative process, those who are deemed qualified applicants based on eligibility requirements will then receive an award letter and a Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Application document from ISAC prior to the beginning of the academic year for which the award will be used. Both the student and the Illinois college, university, or national service academy must complete this document and forward it to ISAC no later than June 15th of the academic year following high school graduation. For example, if a recipient graduates from high school in May 2006 and receives an MRS award for the 2006-07 academic year, the recipient and the college must complete the Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Application document and forward it to ISAC no later than June 15, 2007. Once the completed document is received, ISAC will then send the award to the college in two disbursements.
How Funds Are Disbursed
ISAC works with the college to disburse funds for this program. The college certifies student eligibility and then submits a payment request on behalf of the student. It may take up to eight weeks after the date that ISAC processes the payment request before funds are received at the college.
Depending on the college, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received. Qualified applicants who are awaiting receipt of funds from this program should contact the Financial Aid Office or Business Office to determine the college's policy.
Details
- Financial need is not a factor in determining MRS recipients
- This scholarship does not count as a financial resource in calculations for the need-based MAP grant
- Students may receive both a MAP grant and an MRS award
- This program is dependent upon funding each year from the Illinois General Assembly
- Only students who, based on funding levels, are reasonably assured of receiving the grant will be notified of the award
* MRS funding is limited. If there are more eligible applicants than funds, the awards may be limited to a smaller number of students.
|
