The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship program awards 500 four-year scholarships to high school seniors that are planning to pursue a four-year degree on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours) at a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Applications must advance through local, district and state levels to reach the national competition. An independent selection committee will evaluate the applications and select the recipients considering:
- Leadership
- Academic achievements and records
- Community involvement
- Financial need
The top 20 MVS finalists will attend the Most Valuable Student Leadership Weekend in Chicago to interview for the top awards of $50,000, $40,000, and $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive $20,000 each. 480 other deserving national finalists will receive $4,000 scholarships to support their college education.
Location(s)
- Remote
- Chicago, Illinois (top 20 finalists only)
Schedule
- Application period runs from August to mid November
- Top 20 finalists must attend a leadership conference in late April or early May
Cost/Compensation
- Free
Eligibility Requirements
- Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
- Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
- High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
- A student may not receive more than one Elks National Foundation scholarship award or grant in any one academic year.
Deadline
- Mid November
Application or Entry Requirements
- Completed application form
- Essay
- Details about activities and community service
- Evidence of financial need (quarter finalists only)
- Transcript (quarter finalists only)
- Teacher evaluation (semifinalists only)
- Additional essay (semifinalists only)
- Mandatory leadership weekend in April or May (finalists only)
Notifications of Decisions
- Quarter finalists are notified in January
- Semifinalists are notified in late March
- Top 20 finalists are announced in April
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Applications become available online in early August
Have other questions?
The Elks National Foundation (ENF) is the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, established in 1928. Based in Chicago, Illinois, ENF focuses on supporting community-based programs in the United States. Its primary areas of impact include youth programs, scholarships, veterans' services, drug awareness, and community investments. ENF provides scholarships to high school students, funds local Elks lodges to support community projects, and offers resources for veterans and those affected by substance abuse.
