The Carl D. Heldt Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The intent of the Carl D. Heldt Scholarship is to enable natural sciences students of promise, who are otherwise unable to attend college, to attend Illinois State University free from the costs of tuition and fees.
This scholarship is named for Carl Diederich Heldt (1913-1983). Carl Heldt was a member of the Illinois State University faculty for 22 years. During this time he served as a coach for linemen on the football team and weight events on the track team, while holding academic positions within the Department of Physical Education. Although highly successful as a coach, his greatest impact was upon the young men and women whose lives he touched. He was a pillar of integrity, role model, and wise mentor to students and alumni.
Because of this impact, a group of former students have established the Carl D. Heldt Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund to foster Carl's legacy for future generations of Illinois State University students in perpetuity. This scholarship may be renewable.
Carl Heldt was a native of Indiana and attended Purdue University, where he was captain of the football team and recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor for Academics and Athletics. After a short career in professional football, he served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in the V-12 program. Later, after two years at the University of Oregon, he came to Illinois State (Normal) University in 1949, retiring in 1971.
Each candidate for a Carl D. Heldt Memorial Endowed Scholarship must be or have:
- Admitted as an incoming full-time freshman or transfer student to Illinois State University and enrolled in one of the following academic areas: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics or other natural science.
- Demonstrated financial need and a willingness to supplement this scholarship by work while attending Illinois State University.
- Multi-talented Illinois high school graduate who can be expected to contribute to society in meaningful and exceptional ways.
- Demonstrated strong academic achievement, as evidenced by an enrolling cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and continued academic success while at Illinois State University.
- Participated in high school athletics, but this is a recommended criterion for selection and is not a requirement.
Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are due to the College of Arts and Sciences office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023. Scholarships will be awarded after the 10th day of the start of fall semester 2023. You must be enrolled as a full-time student in the fall to be awarded a scholarship. Applications can be submitted to cas@ilstu.edu with the name of the scholarship in the subject line or by bringing a copy to Room 141 in Stevenson Hall.