For the fourth year, four NIU juniors have a chance to receive $300 for the 1988-89 academic year from the Board of Regents Scholar Awards.

The Regents’ scholarship was designed to recognize a student’s academic achievement, leadership and services, scholarship committee member Earl Hoffman said.

A student must have completed 90 semester hours to be eligible for the award, which means he will be a senior in the fall, Hoffman said.

He said a set grade point average is not required, but students will be judged on their GPA along with their activities and leadership roles. Students also need two letters of recommendation from professors in their college, he said.

“The award started to give recognition to scholars on campus,” Hoffman said. It developed in 1985 by former Regents Chancellor William Monat, he said.

Four students from each of the three universities under the Regents will receive an award, Hoffman said. NIU, Sangamon State University in Springfield and Illinois State University in Normal are governed by the board.

Hoffman said, “The four people selected are the best representatives of scholar and leadership qualities.”

About seven of the top applicants will be interviewed by the committee, but the number of interviews depends on how many students apply, Hoffman said.

The committee will choose the winners in April and they will be announced at a luncheon at the Regents’ October meeting. The winners will be invited to Springfield to meet with members of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

Applications are available in the Honors House and the deadline is March 25.

Two faculty members from each NIU college, one administrator, Marion Miller, director for the honors program and Jerry Augsburger, director for financial aid, comprise the committee, Hoffman said.