Grants & Scholarships
Student Grants
The English Department currently offers the following student grants:
The Robert L. Chamberlain Scholarship
Robert L. Chamberlain, Ph.D., Syracuse University. Bob was a pioneer faculty member of the English Department, a chair of the Department as well as the Division of Arts and Humanities; he published articles on D.H. Lawrence and F. Scott Fitzgerald and a book on the 18th century poet George Crabbe. He loved all the arts, played piano, took part in theater productions, and dabbled in painting and poetry. Bob died of cancer in 1982. The scholarship was established in his memory by his Grand Valley friends.
The Robert L. Chamberlain Scholarship is a tuition scholarship for junior English majors demonstrating excellence in writing. (Amount varies on foundation earnings: estimated scholarship amount $1000).
Apply online
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must be English majors
- Students must have junior status, with 55-84 credit hours completed
- Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA
- Students must be full time
- Financial need may be taken into consideration
Application Requirement
Each student must submit a short letter explaining why he or she qualifies for this scholarship; two pieces of writing, at least one from a class. Student packets are due to the Student Scholarship Committee. The deadline is March. The Chamberlain Scholarship will be awarded at the English Department Awards Ceremony in April.
Gilbert R. and Patricia K. Davis Endowed Merit Scholarship
Gilbert R. Davis, Ph.D., Wayne State University. Gil was a chair of the Department as well as past president of the Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, an active participant in the West Michigan Opera Society, and twice a Fulbright scholar. Gil's research and publications were not limited to any one area. Gil was noted for his independent and incisive thought. He and his wife, Patricia Davis, whose name accompanies his on the scholarship, live in Grand Rapids where they continue to be active in community affairs.
The Gilbert R. and Patricia K. Davis Endowed Merit Scholarship is a tuition scholarship for part- or full-time junior and senior English majors. (Amount varies on foundation earnings: estimated scholarship amount $1500.)
Apply online
Eligibility Requirements
- Recipients should be accepted for or currently enrolled at GVSU
- Must be an undergraduate student
- Must be a resident of Michigan who have completed 30 credit hours earned at GVSU
- Must be a Junior or Senior English major.
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater
- Must be enrolled either part-time or full-time, but priority is given to part-time students
Application Requirements
Applications are due to the Student Scholarship Committee (210 LHH) by March. Applicants should also submit a one-page statement describing why they chose to major in English. The Davis Scholarship will be awarded at the English Department Awards Ceremony in April.
The English Faculty Scholarship for New Majors
The English Faculty Scholarship for New Majors is awarded to two English majors annually. Scholarship award sum varies.
Apply online
Eligibility Requirements
- Declared English major at time of application
- Currently enrolled student with fewer than 60 credit hours completed (first or second-year student) during semester of application
- Cumulative 2.5 grade point average or better
- First-generation college student
Application Requirement
- An unofficial GVSU transcript (available from myPath)
- An academic writing sample, minimum three full pages in length, submitted for a class during your first year or sophomore year
- A brief essay of between 100-200 words (1-2 paragraphs) in length explaining why you are applying for the English Faculty Scholarship and should you receive the award, how it will assist you in achieving your academic goals
Application materials are due in March. They will be reviewed by the English Faculty Scholarship Committee, and finalists will be interviewed for the award by committee members. Scholarship winners will be notified in early April and honored at the English Awards Ceremony in April.
Dr. Andrew M.C. Brown Memorial English Scholarship
Andrew M.C. Brown, Ph.D., Magdalene College. Dr. Brown was an outstanding visiting lecturer in English literature from Cambridge University, England, during the 1970-71 academic year. He was sponsored at Grand Valley State College by the now-late Professor Robert L. Chamberlain from the Department of English. In addition to his devotion to English and American literary traditions, Dr. Brown also possessed an eclectic interest in world literature. Dr. Brown passed away from cancer in January 2014 at the age of 63 after a distinguished career as an editor and publisher at Cambridge University Press.
This scholarship was created to assist students majoring in English with Language and Literature emphasis with the cost of their education.
Apply online
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates should be accepted or currently enrolled at GVSU
- Must be a senior with a declared major in English with Language and Literature emphasis
- Student(s) must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher
- Preference will be given to students intending to pursue an advanced English degree. Financial need may be considered, as evidenced by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Renewal Criteria: This scholarship is non-renewable. Award sum varies. Deadline is March 1.
The Robert Franciosi American Literature Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and reward students majoring in English (with Language and Literature or Secondary Education emphasis) who demonstrate an interest in American Literature.
Apply online.
Eligibility Requirements:
*be accepted for or currently enrolled at Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
*be an undergraduate junior or senior enrolled full-time or part-time with a major in English with Language and Literature or Secondary Education emphasis
*be a resident of Michigan
*have completed 30 credit hours at GVSU with a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
*be meeting satisfactory academic progress (https://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/satisfactory-academic-progress-sap-17.htm)
Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an interest in American Literature.
Financial need may be considered and will be demonstrated by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This scholarship may be renewed with reapplication provided the recipient continues to meet the qualifications. This scholarship may be awarded to an individual for a maximum of 4 semesters.