Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) Achievement and Leadership Awards
All students registered with DRES are encouraged to apply for the DRES Achievement and Leadership Awards. Please read the criteria and description of the awards that follow and complete the application by 11:59 p.m. on February 7, 2025. All of the awards have a monetary gift.
Pamela Borelli & Family Leadership Achievement Award
This monetary award is presented annually to undergraduate students with disabilities who have maintained a C+ or better GPA while demonstrating leadership in a student organization, with preference toward but not limited to Greek campus social organizations and well-balanced involvement in academics and other campus activities.
Mary Jo Crihfield Scholarship
The recipient of the Mary Jo Crihfield Scholarship shall be a participant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services Program or a full-time student serving as a personal assistant to a student participating in the Beckwith program. The recipient shall also demonstrate the Honoree’s passions for pursuing a well-rounded academic and extra-curricular experience, as demonstrated by participation in service and social activities, advancing disability awareness and advocacy, achieving academic excellence, and/or supporting fellow students to achieve their goals. Preference may be given to students who display financial need.
Dr. Susan J. Chaplinsky Scholarship
The Dr. Susan J. Chaplinsky Scholarship is given annually to support students with disabilities in furthering their education and training.
Ronald Dugan Memorial Scholarship
The Ronald Dugan Memorial Scholarship is given annually to enhance the educational opportunities for students with physical/mobility disabilities who utilize the programs and services of DRES and demonstrate academic excellence.
Howard Findley Scholarship
This scholarship provides monetary support for undergraduate students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other learning disabilities who are registered with and utilize the services provided by DRES.
Mark E. and Susan B. Goldhaber Scholarship
This scholarship is for undergraduate students with a mobility disability who are receiving services from DRES and have financial need. Please include a brief paragraph describing your financial need for this award. Please note: This information will be seen by the awards selection committee, but will not be shared during the award presentation or with anyone outside the committee.
Glenn Hebert Scholarships (2)
Glenn Hebert Scholarship For Students With Mobility Impairment
This scholarship provides monetary support for students with mobility impairment registered with DRES at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a preference for students with Cerebral Palsy. This scholarship may be renewable.
Glenn Hebert Learning Cognitive And Psychological Scholarship For Students With Disabilities
This scholarship provides monetary support for students with learning, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, acquired brain injury and/or psychological disabilities who are registered with DRES. This scholarship may be renewable.
Carol Ann Kostka Award
This monetary award is given annually to enhance educational opportunities for students with disabilities who utilize the programs and services of DRES. Recipients of the award must demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
Joseph R. Larsen Memorial Scholarship
This annual scholarship provides financial assistance and merit-based support for students with disabilities who are served by DRES. It was created in memory of Dr. Joseph R. Larsen who served as the director of the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services from 1985 until his death in 1989.
Jeffrey I. and Lisa Livovich Scholarship
This award is given to provide monetary support for students who utilize the services of DRES.
Irl H. Marshall Rehabilitation Scholarship
This scholarship is for students registered with DRES who have a demonstrated financial need, who are eager to become self-supporting and of good services to others.
David C. and Ruth K. Mieher Scholarship
This scholarship provides monetary support for undergraduate students who are registered with and utilize the services provided by DRES.
Peter J. and Ella Montaleone Scholarship
The Peter J. and Ella Montaleone Scholarship is awarded annual to undergraduate students with disabilities who utilize the programs and services of DRES. Preference will be given to those students with disabilities from Rockford, IL, or Winnebago, Stephenson, Boone, Dekalb, or Ogle Counties.
David S. Mundy Scholarship
This scholarship is given to undergraduate students enrolled with DRES and affiliated with the Beckwith Residential Support Services program to help offset the costs associated with hiring personal assistants. Preference shall be given to students in pursuit of achieving independence and responsibility for one’s self.
Mary Jane Neer Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to provide financial assistance for students who are working towards fulfillment of their college education at the University of Illinois in association with DRES. An emphasis will be placed on financial need and academic merit.
Craig H Neilsen Scholarship
Qualified undergraduate or graduate students with a spinal cord injury are invited to apply for the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship begins in the Fall of 2025. Recipients are notified in late May.
Inspired by their Founder, Craig H. Neilsen, the Foundation is committed to changing the world for those living with spinal cord injuries and is driven by their Vision, Mission and Values. The vision is a statement of what is possible, the picture of the future the Foundation wants to create. The mission speaks to its primary purpose. And the values provide the lens for decision-making and define how it will achieve the mission. The Neilsen Scholarship Program is one small part of the CHN Foundations story. The Craig H Neilsen Foundationprovides scholarships at the University of Illinois to create and maintain opportunities for students with spinal cord injury to pursue higher education and lead full lives in and out of the classroom. To reduce socioeconomic barriers to success, these scholarships cover tuition and fees for undergraduate or graduate studies and include supplemental financial support for eligible students. Please use this link to apply: Neilsen Scholarship Application. The application period is from January 13, 2025-February 7, 2025. To learn more about the Craig H Neilsen Foundation, please visit their website.
Timothy J. Nugent Award
In 1970, a special award was established by members of Delta Sigma Omicron, Alpha Chapter, to honor Professor Timothy J. Nugent, founder and director emeritus of the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services. The Timothy J. Nugent Award is presented annually in recognition of service performed by a student to the rehabilitation program and to his or her fellow students. The recipient is judged on the following attributes: personal integrity, human dignity, intellectual endeavor, pride in self, and concern for others.
Matthew Allan Odelius Scholarship
This monetary award is given to support a student who is an active participant in the Beckwith Residential Support Services Program. The student must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated leadership in advancing the involvement of students with disabilities in all aspects of academic and co-curricular life.
William A. Olson Scholarship
This scholarship is for an undergraduate student using services provided by DRES who has a physical disability with first preference going to a student who has Cerebral Palsy.
James E. Seybold Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial support to students with disabilities who are pursuing degrees in the College of Media.
Bill Stewart Memorial Award
This monetary award is given to support an undergraduate or graduate student with a disability who demonstrates spirit, courage, and concern for others while fostering student leadership and providing financial support and recognition. The unique aspect of this fund is that the award recipient will “Pass the Baton” by choosing the manner in which a portion of the income from the Fund will be used to purchase services, equipment, or other programmatic enhancements for benefit of other University of Illinois students with disabilities. This gives one student the opportunity to give to another and to help improve the quality of the life for fellow students with disabilities.
Donald W. Swift Scholarship
This annual scholarship provides financial assistance and merit-based support for students with disabilities who are served by DRES.
If you need the application in an alternate format, please contact Maureen Gilbert at mlgilbrt@illinois.edu.
