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Scholarships and Tuition Waiver Opportunities for Members

  • Gamma Phi Circus Scholarship

    Thanks to a generous donor, the Gamma Phi Circus is able to offer one $1500 scholarship to a Gamma Phi Circus member. The Gamma Phi Circus Scholarship is open to all returning Gamma Phi Circus members in good standing.

    Application Criteria

    • Must be a returning member of Gamma Phi Circus
    • Must be in good academic standing
    • Must demonstrate adherence to the CIRCUS values
    • Must demonstrate financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. To be considered for any scholarship that lists financial need as a selection criterion, applications must have a current FAFSA filed with the Financial Aid Office and must sign the financial aid release form included in the application packet.

    Application Process

    This is a two part application. The directors will notify applicants after the first round if they are to submit information for the second round of the application. The application will be distributed to Gamma Phi Circus members through Microsoft Teams.

    Round 1: The first round of the application will determine applicants' financial need eligibility. Please complete the application form, financial aid release, and general resume and submit through the form shared in the Gamma Phi Circus Teams page no later than 12/2/2022. Applications will then be reviewed by the review committee, which will include Marcus Alouan, Ivan Stoinev, Rainie Themer Bosquet, and other faculty-staff of Illinois State University. The directors will contact all applicants notifying them of eligibility to apply for the second round of the scholarship.

    Round 2: All applicants who meet the financial need requirements will be asked to submit a one page CIRCUS values essay. This essay should be submitted through a form that will be emailed to applicants. The deadline for the essay is 12/16/2022.

    The recipient of the scholarship will be notified by the directors at the beginning of Spring Semester.

    Application Materials:

    • Application form (round 1)
    • Financial aid relase form (round 1)
    • General resume - similiar to one you would give an employer. It should include academic information and might include service work. You may incorporate your involvement in Gamma Phi Circus. (round 1)
    • CIRCUS Values Essay - Please select on of the CIRCUS (Committment, Integrity, Respect, Courage, Unity, and Service) and write about what this value has meant to you during your time with the Gamma Phi Circus. Eassy should be approximately one page in length. (round 2)

    Selection Criteria:

    • Quality of essay
    • Quality of resume and application
    • Adherence to CIRCUS values inside and outside of the gym
    • Demonstrates financial need
  • Tuition Waivers

    Gamma Phi Circus is happy to offer eleven $1000 tuition waivers and five $500 tuition waivers to our members. Undergraduate returning members in good standing will have the opportunity to apply for tuition waivers in the Spring semester. If any funds remain, new members will then be given the opportunity to submit their applications. All waivers are subject to availability. Application information and the application form will be distributed to Gamma Phi Circus members at the beginning of Spring semester each year at practice and will be available for download on the Gamma Phi Circus Microsoft Teams page.

    Process for application 2022

    The complete applicaton packet, including the application form, essay, and resume should be submitted electronically through the tuition waiver form on the Gamma Phi Circus Microsoft Teams page or paper applications should be returned to Marcus Alouan no later than Sunday, February 13, 2022. Applications will then be reviewed by the review committee which will include Marcus Alouan, Ivan Stoinev, Rainie Themer Bosquet, and other faculty/staff of Illinois State University.

    Application includes

    • A general resume similiar to one you would give to an employer. It should include academic information and might include service work. In addition, you may incorporate your involvement in the Gamma Phi Circus, including leadership positions, camp, and service work.
    • An essay, approximately one page in length, discussing how you have grown as a leader in the Gamma Phi Circus. This can include examples of how you contribute as a leader. This does not mean you have to be a member of Executive Board, an Act Captain, or a Commitee Chair. The essay can also address what you have learned about leadership from your time in Gamma Phi Circus.
    • Completed application form.

    Selection Criteria

    • Quality of essay
    • Quality of resume and application
    • Adherence to CIRCUS values inside and outside of the gym
      • CIRCUS values = Committment, Integrity, Respect, Courage, Unity, and Service
    • **Applicants Please Note** The Gamma Phi Circus Tuition waiver cannot be combined with other tuition-specific awards. If you have a question regarding conflicting tuition specific awards, please contact the Scholarship Resource Office at (309) 438-2740. Examples include: Military Waivers, Faculty/Staff Waivers, Honors Waivers, MAP grant recipients.