Scholarship Details

 Awarded annually to a student who is a resident of Illinois; majoring in special education, education, or art and has a GPA of 2.0 and is a cancer survivor or currently diagnosed with cancer. Established by Gary and Jean Zielinski in memory of their daughter, Marie Zielinski, a University of St. Francis alum who graduated in 2007 with a degree in special education. This scholarship will preserve her legacy of touching lives and helping students succeed.Marie Zielinski was full of life and loved to have fun. A generous and loving young lady, her infectious smile would light up a room. 

Marie was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 25 while attending the University of St. Francis. Marie endured surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation while completing her field experiences and student teaching. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from USF and earned the designation Learning & Behavior Specialist (LBS1) in 2007 at the age of 26. She began teaching in the fall of 2007 at Farragut Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois. Marie touched many young lives in her short time as a Special Education Teacher. Marie lost her battle to cancer in 2009, but her legacy lives on through the Scholarship that bears her name. The scholarship was established in 2012.

The Marie Zielinski Memorial Scholarship was established to honor her life by supporting the financial needs of young adults undergoing active treatment or recent active treatment for cancer and seeking to obtain a degree in higher education.

Purpose

This scholarship seeks to honor the applicant who has persevered in the face of an ongoing battle with cancer and the side effects of treatment and best demonstrates the courage, determination, and dedication Marie displayed as she fought through her disease to attain her degree and with it, touch many lives in a short time.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a cancer survivor or currently diagnosed with cancer. The applicant does not need to be currently receiving treatment to qualify. Applicant must meet the following requirements to apply:

• U.S. Citizen (proof  required)
• Legal resident of  Illinois (proof required)
• Must have received  cancer diagnosis between the ages of 17 to 30.(May include initial or   secondary diagnosis, relapse, or active treatment.)
• Currently a high   school senior, or already in college, and have a GPA of at least 2.0      (based on a 4.0 scale).
• Must be accepted to and or attend the University of St. Francis for undergraduate education.

Financial Award

Each scholarship will be for one year only (provided all requirements are met), but may be renewable for future years.  The number of scholarships and the award amount will depend on available funding