The Graduate School is accepting applications and nominations for the University Professionals of Illinois Graduate Annual Scholarship for all graduate students in a degree program.

Applicants and nominees will be required to write a 2,000-word essay about the significance of organized labor.

The winner of the essay contest will receive $200 in a scholarship, and will be recognized and awarded for their work during the Distinguished Graduate Students Awards Ceremonies.

The application or nomination package must consist of a letter from the applicant verifying their enrollment into a graduate program, a letter of recommendation from a faculty member who is part of the UPI, and a 2,000-word essay.

All graduate students applying or nominated for the award must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

John Allison, the former president of EIU University Professionals of Illinois, established the scholarship in 2012 to provide financial support to graduate students.

Ann Fritz, the president of UPI, said no one applied for the award last year, but she hopes to see a better turnout this academic year.

“Sometimes students as a graduate or undergraduate just don’t know about this award,” she said. “Here is a possibility to apply for an award based on your work.”

Fritz said graduates from all majors are welcome to apply.

“One of the things we take for granted in our workday (such as) an eight hour workday, safe working conditions, and five-day a work week,” Fritz said. “There is really a lot of interesting connections that can be made across disciplines that kind of broaden our knowledge about the scope in organized labor. It’s something that could be a very interesting piece of work for a graduate.”

She said applying for the essay contest could serve as a good opportunity for graduate students.

“When you go through a competitive process and your essay is being worthy of an award, the money involved is not as important as that recognition,” Fritz said. “I think it is something important when graduate students are seeking employment or going on to PHD programs.”

All essays will be reviewed by members of the Council on Graduate Studies Scholarships Committee, and will choose a winner based on the highest ranked essay.

Applications or nominations will be due at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 27, 2015, and must be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School.

Debby Hernandez can be reached at 581-2812 or dhernandez5@eiu.edu.