Overview
Governors State's Forensics (Speech and Debate) Program offers a limited number of scholarships to incoming first-year, transferring undergraduate, and continuing undergraduate students who are interested in participating on the Forensics Team.
Award Amounts
Students can earn between $3,000 - $6,000 per year.
- Incoming Freshman Award: $12,000 - $24,000 (Renewable up to 4 years)
- Incoming Transfer or Continuing Student Award: $6,000 - $12,000 (Renewable up to 2 years)
Submission Process
1. Apply to Governors State University.
2. Submit the following items through the application in Scholarship Universe at .
a. A 250-500 word essay detailing your interest in the forensics team. Be sure to include any experience you already have in speech and debate, or other comparable extra-curricular activities (Model UN, Toastmasters, Theater, Student Government, etc.).
b. A letter of recommendation from a teacher/professor/extra-curricular advisor.
c. A demonstration of competency in at least one (1) of the four (4) genres of forensics competition: Oral Interpretation, Prepared Address, Limited Preparation Speaking, and/or Debate. This demonstration can include a link to a brief performance video, a draft of a speech, or a debate case. You may also opt to audition in person with the forensics team with pre-approval from the Director of Forensics, Eddie Gamboa (egamboa@govst.edu).
If you are a returning student already affiliated with the Governors State University Forensics Team, you must make the following changes to your packet:
1. Be enrolled for the following semester at Governors State University.
2. Submit the following items through the application in Scholarship Universe at .
a. A 250-500 word essay detailing your experience with forensics at 91³Ô¹Ï. Be sure to include how the forensics team has benefited your academic and/or professional goals. You must also include how you intend to expand your forensics participation as a competitor and as a member of the team.
b. A demonstration of competency in at least two (2) of the four (4) genres of forensics competition: Oral Interpretation, Prepared Address, Limited Preparation Speaking, and/or Debate. This demonstration can include a link to a performance video, a draft of a speech, or a debate case. You may use the forensics performances you have developed at 91³Ô¹Ï in the past to display competency. You may also opt to audition in person with the forensics team with pre-approval from the Director of Forensics, Eddie Gamboa (egamboa@govst.edu).
Priority review begins on March 15th - Deadline: May 1st
Application and Renewal Guidelines
Receiving and maintaining your Governors State Forensics Team Scholarship is dependent on the following conditions:
a. You must be enrolled in 12 credit hours per semester at Governors State University.
b. Must satisfy AIM High criteria.
c. Maintain a 2.5 overall grade point average.
d. Compliance with all university policies and code of conduct.
e. Must be an active participant on the Forensics Team, which includes:
- Attending our weekly meeting.
- Scheduling a minimum of two (2) coaching hours per week.
- Preparing at least two events over the course of the year. This can include participating in Limited Preparation Speaking.
- Attend at least three (3) tournaments over the course of the year.
Deadline: November 1st
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