The Rural King Local Scholarship
Recipients of the RK Local Scholarship will receive up to $2,500 towards their education.
Who is it for?
Rural King employees or their dependents who live in EIU’s local service region.
How much is covered?
How do I qualify?
• Be admitted to EIU in any major
• Live in one of these Illinois counties: Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar,
Moultrie, or Shelby
How many students will be selected per year?
How do I renew the scholarship each year?
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA
• Stay enrolled at EIU for at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester
• Verify Rural King employment each year
How do I apply?
Step 1: Apply to EIU up to a year before classes start: eiu.edu/apply
- Our application takes 10-15 minutes to complete (no essay or test scores required)
- Complete admissions requirements on MyEIU checklist at eiu.edu/myeiu
Step 2: Fill out FAFSA starting in December: studentaid.gov
- If not eligible for federal aid, fill out the Alternative Application at isac.org
- Takes under 1 hour for most
Step 3: After you’ve been admitted, fill out scholarship applications before March 15
- Visit https://eiu.academicworks.com/, log in using your NetID and password, and fill out the 1-minute General Application.
- Search for “Rural King” and click “Apply.” You’ll need to write a couple of short essays and provide contact info for letter of reference. The deadline is March 15.
- Your one application will be used to determine your eligibility for all three scholarships.
Would my award ever be reduced or canceled?
In general, the amount you receive from RK Local Scholarship will not exceed the cost of your tuition and fees. If your remaining costs are under $2,500, you would not receive a refund check from the scholarship.
There are some circumstances in which your RK Online award would be reduced:
- If you later receive other awards that partially cover your costs, your RK Local award will be reduced accordingly for the first year of your award through the 10th day of class (Census Policy). Your renewal award amount will never be less than your initial award unless it exceeds the annual cost of attendance in combination with other awards.
- If you receive scholarships or other awards that fully cover your tuition and required fees budget for the first year of your award, your Local Scholarship will be reduced.
- If you receive an award such as the Pemberton Presidential Scholars Award, EIU Local Scholars, EIU Promise, the Children of Deceased Employees Waiver, DCFS, DORS, or the ISAC Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program. In some circumstances, your full tuition and fees could also be covered in combination with the State of Illinois MAP grant, but exceptions may apply because of the differences in these waiver programs.
- If the RK Local Scholarship cannot be applied in your first year, you will not receive the award in subsequent years.
- If you receive an award specific to housing and dining, this award will not reduce the RK Local award.