Taylor Potrawski of Mascoutah receives a $10,000 scholarship from the University of Illinois Springfield

Taylor Potrawski of Mascoutah, a senior at Mascoutah High School, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for Fall Semester 2019 and awarded a $10,000 Lincoln Merit Scholarship for tuition over four years. She plans to major in biology.

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.

Potrawski is currently a member of the Beta Club, student council, National Honors Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christian Youth Organization, Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Outdoor Adventures Club and the Illinois Democracy School Club. She is also a member of the dance team, tennis team and is a manager for the Mascoutah High basketball team. She has also completed many community service projects and worked/volunteered on multiple farms.

Following graduation from UIS, Potrawski would like to continue her education and become a veterinarian working on small farms.

“I have always loved the small town life,” she said. “I enjoy going to the grocery store and running into my school bus driver from elementary school. I desire nothing more than the opportunity to practice as a large animal vet through small communities. UIS being a smaller school in a rural area of Illinois will provide me with the experience and opportunities I need to do well in veterinarian school.”

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 $10,000 over four years, students must earn an 18 to a 20 on their ACT or a minimum of 940 SAT and hold a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 or above.

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/.