The Frances E. Smith Scheidel Scholarship fund was established in 2007, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Scheidel, whose personal history included returning after a significant interruption to complete her Illinois degree.

Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students majoring in one of the academic units of the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics (SLCL) within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Specifically, the scholarships are awarded to students who have overcome significant hurdles to achieve academic success. Recipients must be enrolled in one of the SLCL's academic units in the year they hold the award.

Whenever possible, and if candidates can be identified, preference will be given to female students returning to higher education after an interruption due to various circumstances and who have demonstrated financial need.

The scholarship may be used for any education-related expenses, including tuition, fees, books, childcare, supplies, parking, transportation, and room and board.

Up to four $1,000 scholarships may be awarded for the academic year.

Apply now (Application deadline:  March 15, 2024)

Past Recipients

2022-2023 Recipients
  • Julia Barrientos, Spanish
  • Amaiya Johnson, Spanish
  • Caitlin Niesman, Spanish 
2021-2022 Recipients
  • Manuel Fernandez, Spanish
  • Adriana Guevara, Spanish 
  • Johana Machuca, Spanish
  • Riley Masterson, French
2019-2020 Recipients 
  • Maxine Katz, Religion
  • Deniz Namik, Spanish
  • Saul Rivera, Italian
  • Kari Schwink, Linguistics
2018-2019 Recipients
  • Sean Chapman, Linguistics
  • Jamie Hendrickson, Slavic
  • Amelia Reggi, Italian
2017-2018 Recipients
  • Ana Elissa Cabrera, Linguistics
  • Amelia Reggi, Italian
  • Jessica Romero, Spanish/Portuguese
2016-2017 Recipients
  • Emily Doehring, Linguistics (ESL)
  • Taylor Erwin, Linguistics
  • Nichole Startz, French
  • Sarah Weldy, Linguistics
2015-2016 Recipients
  • Kelly Atkinson, Spanish
  • Antoniette Martin, CWL
  • Mark McCarthy, EALC
  • Stephanie Osborne, Linguistics (ESL)
2014-2015 Recipients
  • Kelly Atkinson, Spanish
  • Keren Garcia, Italian
  • Amanda Oster, Italian
  • Lucy Wright, French
2013-2014 Recipients
  • Brittany Coleman, French 
  • Mark McCarthy, EALC
  • Genevieve Scheele, EALC
2012-2013 Recipients
  • Monet Colomb, EALC/German
  • Shelby Luzzi, Spanish
2011-2012 Recipients
  • Ashley Czaplicki, Spanish
  • Caroline DeLonga, EALC
  • Alisha Gryniewicz, Spanish
  • Amanda Poore, Linguistics
2010-2011 Recipients
  • Karla Padilla, Spanish
2009-2010 Recipients
  • Chad Garland, Slavic
  • Jay Geyer, Religion
  • Craig Kreutzer, Religion
  • Jose Palos, French