Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards
Scholarship Sponsored by Elks National Foundation
Who is Eligible?
The Legacy Awards are available to graduating high school seniors with a qualifying relationship to a current Elk member. Eligibility depends on the sponsor's membership date and status, and awards are intended for study at accredited institutions. Certain relatives are excluded, and recipients must meet ongoing service expectations during their collegiate career.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a child, grandchild, step-child, step-grandchild, or legal ward of a living Elk who joined the Order on or before April 1, 2024, or a charter member of a Lodge instituted on or after April 1, 2024. The Elk sponsor must be a contiguous, dues-paying member through March 31, 2027. Great-grandchildren are not eligible.
Application Requirements: Applicants must be high school seniors and must submit the online application by the February deadline (NOON Pacific). Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) are waived for the 2027 contest. If both a parent and a grandparent are Elk members, the applicant must select the parent's Lodge on the application.
Use of Award and Service Requirement: Legacy Awards may be applied only to accredited U.S. colleges and universities; applicants from Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines may apply awards toward institutions in their respective home jurisdictions. Recipients must complete an act of service with an Elks Lodge at least three times during their collegiate career.
- For the 2027 contest, any child or grandchild (or step-child, step-grandchild, or legal ward) of a living Elk who joined the Order on or before April 1, 2024, or a charter member of a Lodge that was instituted on or after April 1, 2024, is eligible to apply. The Elk must be a contiguous, dues paying Elk through March 31, 2027. Great-grandchildren are not eligible.
- The applicant must be a high school senior.
- The applicant must apply online only. The 2027 Legacy Awards application deadline is in February. NOTE: This is NOON, mid-day, Pacific time.
- If the applicant's parent and grandparent are both Elk members, the applicant must select the parent's Elks Lodge on the application.
- We have waived the standardized test requirement for the 2027 Legacy contest. You do not need to submit ACT and/or SAT scores.
- Students may apply for more than one ENF scholarship. In cases where the student wins more than one, we will award both scholarships. Students can also accept local and state scholarships, which are separate from the awards at the national level.
- Legacy Awards may only be applied to accredited US American schools, colleges, or universities. (Note: Applicants from Panama, Puerto Rico and the Philippines may apply Legacy Awards toward schools, colleges, or universities in their respective homes.)
- If you are selected as a 2027 Legacy Awards recipient, to further strengthen your connection to the #ElksFamily, you must complete an act of service with a Lodge at least three times during your collegiate career. Find more information about serving with the Elks online.
- Sponsor's membership date and continuous dues-paying status determine eligibility.
- Applicants must be high school seniors and apply online by the February deadline (NOON Pacific).
- ACT/SAT scores are not required for the 2027 contest.
- Awards are restricted to accredited institutions and include a service commitment for recipients.
How Do I Apply?
The application process is conducted entirely online and includes verification steps managed by Grand Lodge. Applicants will receive email notifications during registration and after submission, and winners are announced the following spring. Multiple scholarships may be pursued concurrently, and the ENF Scholarship Office provides support for applicants.
Application Timeline: The 2027 Legacy Awards application opens on September 1, 2026, and the deadline is in February. Winners will be announced in late April 2027. Because the contest spans two Lodge years, an Elk sponsor need only be paid-up at the time of application; later nonrenewal does not affect the contest outcome.
Verification and Notifications: The Elk sponsor’s membership will be verified through the BPOE Grand Lodge headquarters. When a student registers to complete the online application, both the applicant and the Lodge Secretary will be notified by email. Upon receipt of the application, the applicant will receive confirmation that it was received.
Support: For application questions, contact the ENF Scholarship Office via email at [email protected]. Additional guidance and frequently asked questions are available on the Legacy Awards FAQ page.
- The student must complete and submit the ONLINE application. The 2027 Legacy Awards application opens on September 1, 2026 and the deadline is in February.
- The Elk sponsor’s membership will be verified through the BPOE Grand Lodge headquarters.
- When a student registers to complete the online application, both the applicant and Lodge Secretary will be notified by email.
- If you have questions about your online Legacy Awards application, contact the ENF Scholarship Office via email at [email protected]. Visit our Legacy Awards FAQ page.
- Upon receipt of the application, the applicant will receive a notification that the application was received. Winners will be announced in late April 2027.
- Apply online only; note the September opening and February deadline for the 2027 contest.
- Membership verification is performed by Grand Lodge; applicants and lodge secretaries receive email notifications.
- Winners are announced in late April; application questions should be directed to [email protected].
- An Elk sponsor must be paid-up at the time of application, but subsequent nonrenewal does not disqualify an applicant.