Theta Xi Fraternity Scholarship & Leadership Awards For Incoming Freshmen Men

Created in 1990, the Theta Xi Scholarship & Leadership Awards are part of an endowment fund at the University of Illinois Foundation. The awards are open to all incoming freshmen men. There is no obligation to join Theta Xi Fraternity to receive this award. The application is due by July 31, 2025.

The application consists of five parts: personal information, current education, future education, community, and an essay. The essay question at the end is "What do you hope to accomplish during your undergraduate experience a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?" Click here to apply.

Applicants will be invited to a series of scholarship and learning experiences. Scholarship finalists will be invited for an in-person interview in August 2025. Scholarship awards will be made on campus in late August.

Questions, e-mail [email protected].



The Benefits of Fraternity Membership

We believe and research supports the fact that being involved in fraternities earlier helps students adjust to student life, both academically and socially. Especially during this difficult time on campuses, students need the close associations and organization that fraternities can provide. Research has shown that fraternity members tend to be happier, are more involved, and have better educational experiences than non-affiliated students.

Here Are Some Facts, Based on National Research Studies of College Students:

Fraternity Members Are More Likely To Do Better Academically:

Fraternity members are more likely to engage with campus academic programs and report higher grades and higher satisfaction with their academic progress and institution than do non-members.

Fraternity Members Are Likely More Involved and Engaged on Their Campus

Fraternity members experience significantly higher levels of student engagement in educationally purposeful activities and more frequent participation in high-impact practices, such as participating in a learning community, an internship or co-op, or study-abroad programs, among others.

Joining a Fraternity Helps Students Be Happier and More Connected

Fraternities provide a supportive community at a time when students need it most: during their first months on campus. And especially during a time when students might remain partially virtual, students need the real connections and relationships they develop in fraternities to engage in their campus life.

Fraternity Members Are Educated on Health and Safety Issues

Fraternity members are exposed to more health and safety education than other undergraduate students, including bystander education and insights into the effects of alcohol misuse and the policies addressing hazing, sexual assault, and alcohol use. A recent Stanford University study has shown that first-year students are at a higher risk and that the highest risk behaviors occur in residence halls.

Fraternity Men Are Likely to Have More Diverse Experiences

Fraternity members have more discussions about diversity and engagement with diverse organizations and people on campus than do non-affiliated students. This includes conversations with people from different races and ethnicities, economic backgrounds, religious beliefs, and political views other than their own.

Here Is the Gallup Study on Why Joining a Fraternity Is Beneficial: Gallop

Here Is Information on the National Interfraternity Council: National Interfraternity Council

Why Theta Xi Fraternity?

Theta Xi Fraternity was founded in 1864 with a vision to create a society that cultivates leadership, lifelong friendships, and the development of high moral character. With over 160 years of history, our fraternity has grown into a respected and thriving organization with chapters across the United States. The Alpha Beta Chapter, established in 1922 at the University of Illinois, has carried this tradition forward, molding generations of young men into leaders, scholars, and active citizens.

As a member of Theta Xi, you are joining not only a fraternity but a brotherhood that emphasizes personal growth, community involvement, and academic success. Here at the Alpha Beta Chapter, we pride ourselves on fostering an environment where every brother feels supported in achieving his personal and professional goals.

What It Means to Be a Theta Xi

Being a Theta Xi means more than wearing letters or attending events. It means standing for something greater. Our brotherhood is grounded in a set of principles that help guide each member throughout their life, including:

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Mission Statement

The Purpose of Theta Xi is to provide a college home environment for its active members in which fellowship and alumni guidance lead to wholesome mental, moral, physical, and spiritual growth. To that end Theta Xi actively supports and augments college and community efforts to make individual members more mature and chapter groups more useful units of society. Through its alumni and undergraduate leadership Theta Xi endeavors to assist each member to develop:

ONE, intellectual curiosity that assures the highest scholarship rating consistent with his ability;

TWO, habits that lead to better mental and physical health;

THREE, sincerity in his association with others and confidence in himself;

FOUR, responsibility to chapter, college, community, and country;

FIVE, leadership that comes from practicing the principles of democratic self-government;

SIX, interests and activities outside regular scholastic studies that employ spare time to advantage;

SEVEN, spiritual understanding that provides a reservoir of strength to draw upon when faced with conditions beyond comprehension.