Thanks in part to generous donations given by friends and alumni of the University of Illinois, the department is pleased to offer multiple scholarships and awards to students who are majors in Psychology or Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Those interested in receiving one of these scholarships or awards should be aware of the following:
- If you are an international student on a visa, please see Foreign Nationals Payment Eligibility Grid for information about eligibility and potential tax consequences.
- There may be tax consequences and implications for students with financial aid or outstanding account balances. Please consult the Office of Student Financial Aid and the University Bursar for information.
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Summer Research Scholarships in Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers scholarships for qualified undergraduate students that are intended to provide financial support for engagement in research activities in a Psychology Faculty Laboratory during the summer (May 16-August 15). Scholarships are awarded to the student and are not intended to directly fund research activities. These $2,750 scholarships will be awarded to multiple students each year and are made possible by generous donations from Psychology Department alums: the Laura Bolton Research Development Scholarship and the James E. Spoor Scholarship.
Summer Research Scholarships in Psychology details
The Undergraduate Studies Committee accepts applications for these summer scholarships between the start of the Spring semester until the first Monday of March at 5pm. Award winners will be announced by the first Monday of April. Priority selection will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Summer Research Scholarship in Psychology.
Please note the following requirements:
- Applicants must be a declared Psychology major, Psychology minor, or Brain and Cognitive Sciences major. Applicants should be continuing their undergraduate studies during the fall semester following the summer scholarship award period.
- Applications should include:
- A curriculum vitae (maximum of 1 page in length) that includes the student’s major, concentration (if a Psychology major), and current GPA
- A personal statement (maximum of 1 page in length) that discusses the applicant’s previous research and future career goals. This statement should also indicate the dates students will be living on campus during the summer.
- A description of the research project that will be undertaken, including the student’s role in the project (maximum of 1 page in length).
- A letter of support from the faculty member who will supervise the summer research.
Application materials should be emailed to the Undergraduate Studies Office (psych-awards@mx.uillinois.edu). Faculty may submit their support letter to this email address separately from the student’s application submission.
Janet Tritch Award
The Janet Tritsch Memorial Award has become a symbol of excellence for undergraduate psychology research at Illinois. The award was established in 1975 by the family and friends of Janet Tritsch, who, as an undergraduate student, was active in psychology research. The award recognizes outstanding research by an undergraduate working in any area of Psychology and is accompanied by a monetary award.
Tritsch Application Details
An outstanding Bachelor's Thesis that has been submitted for Departmental Distinction can be nominated for the Janet Tritsch Memorial Award by the student's research advisor. The research advisor must submit a separate letter of nomination for the Janet Tritsch Memorial Award. The nomination letter must explain why the thesis and the student are particularly exceptional and should receive the special recognition conferred by the Janet Tritsch Memorial Award. The letter of nomination must be submitted to the Undergraduate Studies Office via email to psych-thesis@illinois.edu. The deadline is the same as submission of the Bachelor’s thesis, which is April 15 by 5pm.
Julie Sutton Osgood Award
This award was established in the memory of Julie Sutton Osgood, whose life was taken at age 28 by a drunk driver. Julie always wanted to be a doctor. As a psychology student at the University of Illinois, she was trained as an Emergency Medical Technician and worked summers for an ambulance company. After graduation, she completed a paramedic course and worked for the Superior Ambulance Company and then became their EMS coordinator through Christ Hospital and Hope Children's Hospital. A couple of years later, she attended Physician's Assistant School while she continued to work full time. This monetary award was created by the family of Julie Sutton Osgood and is intended to help students realize their dream of becoming either a Physician or another type of medical practitioner.
Julie Sutton Osgood Application Details
If you are a senior Psychology student who plans to continue your education in a medical-related field or school, you should consider applying for the Julie Sutton Osgood Award. To apply for this award, please submit a one page statement of purpose and a current résumé or C.V. to the psych-awards@mx.uillinois.edu. The deadline for applications is April 5. The statement should indicate how you intend to realize your dream of becoming a medical practitioner. An optional letter of recommendation may be included. If you have any questions about this award, please do not hesitate to contact psych-awards@mx.uillinois.edu.