Exciting news for college-bound students! Applications are now open for the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship Program, a long-standing award recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and community service. In this article, we outline the benefits, eligibility criteria, and step-by-step application process.
The Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Scholarships 2026 - 2027 are partially funded undergraduate scholarships for U.S. high school seniors, providing up to $12,500 per year for a four-year degree. Award amounts vary based on financial need, tuition costs, and other scholarships received.
Since its launch in 1931, the Elks National Foundation has awarded more than $3 million annually in college scholarships, benefiting over 800 service-minded students nationwide. The program awards 500 competitive four-year scholarships each year, with total values ranging from $4,000 to $50,000.
The competition is open to U.S. citizen high school seniors who advance through local, district, and state competitions before reaching the national level. Top national finalists are invited to a Leadership Weekend in Chicago, Illinois, where the highest-rated applicants are selected for prestigious awards.
Applicants are evaluated on academic performance, leadership qualities, and community service. Scholarship funds can be applied toward tuition, living expenses, books, and required fees, making it a valuable resource for students pursuing higher education.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate
- Institution(s): American Colleges and Universities
- Study Location: USA
- Deadline: November (annual)
Scholarship Coverage
Elks National Foundation Scholarship Program provides the recipient with:
- The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2025 competition.
- Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in 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.
- The Chicago office of the Elks National Foundation will announce the 500 national winners in late April, 2026 - 2027. (Many local Lodges, districts and state Elks associations award their own scholarships through this program. These scholarships are not to be confused with the 500 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships.)
Eligibility Criteria for Elks National Foundation Scholarship Program
To qualify for Elks National Foundation Scholarship Program, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: USA
- 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.
