In 1992 the Department of Chemistry started the Chemistry Scholarship Competition. This program was initiated to encourage well-prepared and highly capable students to study chemistry at Ball State University. Each year the Competition typically awards one (number depends upon availability) of the following four scholarships:
- The Eli Lilly Scholarship
- established with generous contributions from Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN and with generous contributions from friends and alumni of the Department of Chemistry.
- The Cardinal Chemists Chemistry Alumni Scholarship
- established with generous contributions from friends and alumni of the Department of Chemistry.
Eligibility Requirements
The scholarships in the competition are all awarded to incoming freshmen who declare their intentions to major in chemistry and who are enrolled under full time status. To be eligible, students must rank in the upper 20% of their high school class. Preference will be given to students who enroll in calculus in their freshman year at Ball State. Scholarships will be awarded based on outstanding high school performance and strength of curriculum.
Each of the scholarship awards is renewable for up to four years, provided the recipient makes satisfactory progress toward a degree majoring in chemistry and retains a 3.3/4.0 grade point average in courses required for the chemistry major.
The amount of the scholarships has traditionally been $500 per year, although this amount may vary from year to year. In addition, students who have met the eligibility requirements for these scholarships in the past have been quite successful in obtaining Presidential Scholarships from Ball State.
Application Process
High school seniors interested in applying for a scholarship should mail an official transcript (one that includes class rank) and a letter asking to be considered for the scholarship to Dr. Robert J. Morris, Chair, Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie IN, 47306. Additional recommended information would include the SAT score report and a brief letter of reference from a teacher. All material should arrive as soon as possible in the admissions process.
