Thursday, March 27, 2025

Murrell J. Higgins Duster Scholarship--Apply by Friday April 11


Northeastern Illinois University's wordmark logo in blue and yellow with the Flying N.

Murrell J. Higgins Duster Scholarship 

Apply by Friday April 11

Students can apply for the Murrell J. Higgins Duster Scholarship now through Friday, April 11. This scholarship assists students with the costs associated with attending Northeastern, including tuition, books and fees. Scholarships are available to students for the Fall 2025 semester.

Murrell J. Higgins Duster served in several key faculty, administrative and leadership roles in her more than 35 years at Northeastern Illinois University. She was the Founding Associate Vice President of the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs and Dean Academic Development. Upon her retirement in 2012, Dean Duster continued her legacy at NEIU by endowing a scholarship fund.

Scholarship Criteria

  1. All applicants must be currently enrolled Northeastern Illinois University students.
  2. Scholarships are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
  3. Students currently enrolled in their last semester cannot apply.

How to Apply
The deadline for the Murrell J. Higgins Duster Scholarship is 11: 59 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025. Scholarships will be awarded to students who will be enrolled for the Fall 2025 semester. 

A complete application will include:

  • The completed application form with all information requested. 
  • An essay related to your involvement with the Pedroso Center and how it has enhanced your understanding of diversity, social justice and/or intersectionality, and what these concepts mean to you with regard to your identity.

Please submit all completed applications to cdia@neiu.edu.

For more information or questions, please contact DeWitt Scott, Ed.D., at (773) 442-5372 or by email dt-scott@neiu.edu.

Please consider utilizing University resources such as the Learning Success Center to review your essay before you submit your application.

Once the application submission period closes on Friday, April 11, scholarship recipients will be selected and then notified. Scholarships will be applied to recipients’ tuition accounts at the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Each recipient is required to submit a donor thank you letter upon notification of the scholarship award.