The scholarship is not limited to tuition and fees. Awarding of Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships is subject to federal funding. Applications are to be received by ISAC on or before January 15 preceding the academic year for which the scholarship is being requested. The David A. Debolt Teacher Shortage Scholarship program replaces several separate scholarships for various teacher shortage areas. It encourages academically talented students to pursue careers as public preschool, elementary and secondary school teachers in disciplines that have been designated as Teacher Shortage disciplines in the State of Illinois.
Priority is given to minority students.
The deadline to apply for the Debolt Scholarships is May 1. Applicants also must apply for federal student financial aid to determine their expected family contribution, which is part of the selection criteria for the scholarship. Recipients of the scholarship will sign an agreement to teach one year for each year of scholarship received in the Teacher Shortage Discipline for which the recipient applied. The teaching requirement must be fulfilled within five years following completion of certification in the shortage field. These tuition scholarships are awarded by members of the General Assembly to residents of their legislative districts.