Laney Gowin of Casey receives a $14,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Laney Gowin of Casey, a senior at Casey-Westfield High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $14,000 Lincoln Scholarship for tuition over four years. She plans to major in elementary education at UIS and play on the Prairie Stars softball team.

The scholarship is awarded based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores and can be renewed for a total of four years if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

At Casey-Westfield she is a member of the varsity softball and volleyball teams. She is also an active member of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and is a class officer. Gowin volunteers two hours a day at the elementary school working with first and second graders.

“I chose UIS because it has a beautiful campus that feels safe,” she said. “I like that it has a small-town feel and the class sizes will be good for me as a student-athlete.”

Following graduation from UIS, she plans to earn her special education endorsement in order to work with students with behavioral disordered. She hopes to make a difference in their lives.

All incoming UIS freshmen are eligible to apply for Lincoln Merit Scholarships. The amount awarded is based upon the incoming student’s ACT or SAT score. To receive $14,000 over four years, students must earn a 21 to a 23 on their ACT or a minimum of 1060 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.76.

For more information on scholarships, contact the UIS Office of Financial Assistance at 217/206-6724 or email finaid@uis.edu. For a full list of scholarship opportunities, visit www.uis.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.