Scholarships

Graduating seniors of the National English Honor Society (NEHS) who hold membership in active chapters may apply for one of the following scholarships:

Four-year College or University Scholarships

Up to five scholarships are available in this category. Students applying for this level of the available scholarships will be ranked based on the application packet, including the required essay based on the common reader.

One National English Honor Society Scholarship (NEHS) for $3,000, given in honor of Dr. William C. Johnson, Executive Director of Sigma Tau Delta in recognition of his dedication to the founding of NEHS;
Four Sigma Tau Delta Scholarships, each in the amount of $1,500. These scholarships are funded by Sigma Tau Delta, the college/university-level of the English honor societies, which is the sponsoring organization for NEHS.

Two-year Community College Scholarship

This category provides one $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who plans to attend a community college and is provided by Sigma Kappa Delta (SKD), the two-year college English honor society. The application procedures outlined below must be completed for this scholarship as well.

Application Process for All Scholarships

The application form, an application essay based on one of the common reader prompts, and the required support materials must be mailed to NEHS and postmarked by March 8, 2010. Scholarship winners will be announced by May 1 of the same year and will be awarded after recipients provide proof of acceptance as full-time students at an institution of higher learning. (Send a copy of the acceptance letter to NEHS, Department of English, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115.)

Application Checklist:

Complete your application form.
Contact two references for recommendations, one from your senior English teacher and one from your NEHS chapter advisor. If this is the same person, a letter from another English teacher is required. These recommendations are to be submitted directly to your NEHS chapter advisor in sealed envelopes; the unopened envelopes should be included in your application packet. (Note: Recommendations may NOT be submitted by family members even if they are members of the English faculty or NEHS chapter advisors. Substitute other recommendations if this is the case in your school.)
Type all application information.
Create an essay based on the 2009-2010 common reader, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, as part of the scholarship application process (maximum of 750 words). Select one of the prompts suggested for the book as the basis of your essay. The essay should reflect an understanding of the text, meet the requirements of the prompt, and must be the independent work of the writer. Evidence of plagiarism will disqualify any applicant. After the conclusion of the essay, please type the following and sign your name:

"I confirm that this essay is my independent work and is submitted without the assistance of mentor or peer review." _____________________(signature)

Revise and edit your essay and submit five copies to your NEHS chapter advisor.
Request one transcript of your high school grades, including the 7th semester (first half of your senior year), and submit these to your NEHS advisor.
Your NEHS chapter advisor should submit all of your materials (application form, five copies of your essay, one copy of your transcript, and two sealed letters of recommendation) to NEHS and postmarked by the March 8, 2010 deadline. (It is suggested that an additional packet of materials be maintained by your chapter advisor.)

Materials are to be mailed to:
NEHS, Department of English
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115.

All materials must be postmarked by March 8, 2010.

Tips to Create a Winning Application

Don't wait until the last minute! Applications should have a whole week to reach NEHS.
Recommendation Letter--Give your recommenders PLENTY of time to compose their recommendations. Be sure to ask them to limit their letters to one page and provide testimony of academic accomplishment and promise as well as service, through NEHS, to the school and/or community. Sealed letters should be given directly to the NEHS chapter advisor for inclusion in application packets.
Proofread all parts of your application, including your essay, thoroughly. You are, after all, applying for an "English" scholarship!
Write an essay, based on one of the prompts provided, that reflects your best work, is marked by your personal voice, and is a reflection of your understanding and appreciation of the text. DO NOT SUBMIT A BOOK REPORT--the readers of the essay know The Book Thief well, so a retelling of the plot will result in a low ranking of the essay.