Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Elks National Foundation
Open now · due November 12, 2026Renews each year
$4,000 total ($1,000/yr) for 480 awards; top 20 finalists $30,000 total ($7,500/yr)
- How much
- $4,000 total ($1,000/yr) for 480 awards; top 20 finalists $30,000 total ($7,500/yr)
- Who qualifies
- Current HS seniors only (graduates ineligible); must enroll in 4-year undergrad program at accredited US institution; judged on scholarship, leadership, financial need; no Elks affiliation required; males and females judged separately
- For high school seniors
- US citizen at time of application (permanent residents NOT eligible)
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Open now · due November 12, 2026 annual; opens ~Aug 1, closes mid-November (2027 contest: Nov 12, 2026, 11:59pm PT); 500 national winners announced April; Leadership Weekend late April/early May
- How to apply
- Apply online (program code ElksMVS if prompted) by Nov 12, 2026, 11:59pm PT
- Applications are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need and move through local Elks Lodge, district and state judging before national selection
- No Elks relation needed
- What you'll need
- transcript + school nomination + test scores
- Last checked
- October 22, 2026, against the official page (elks.org)
The details
500 four-year scholarships. Top 20 (selected from the 500 national semifinalists and required to attend the MVS Leadership Weekend in Chicago, Apr 29 - May 2, 2027) receive $30,000 ($7,500/yr); 480 runners-up receive $4,000 ($1,000/yr). Awards are conditional on full-time (12+ semester hours) enrollment in a four-year degree at an accredited US college. Male and female students compete separately. Local lodges and state associations also award their own scholarships through this program.
More federal and national aid
- QuestBridge National College Matchfull four-year scholarship to a partner college (worth $360,000+; tuition, room/board, no loans)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Programup to $55,000/yr for up to 4 years (last-dollar after institutional aid)
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship$100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (one-time)
- Burger King Scholars Program$1,000 to $60,000 (most general-track awards $1,000 or $5,000; up to three $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)$37,000/yr stipend + $16,000/yr cost-of-education allowance to the school, for 3 years
Keep looking
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