Elks Most Valuable Student Competition

Scholarship Sponsored by Elks National Foundation

Overview

The Elks National Foundation awards undergraduate scholarships judged on academic achievement, leadership, and financial need. Awards fund full-time study at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Applicants may receive no more than one Elks National Foundation scholarship or grant in a single academic year.

Description: Scholarship programs support undergraduate study only. Selection criteria include scholarship, leadership, and financial need. Multiple awards in the same academic year to a single student are not permitted.

• Undergraduate-focused scholarships for full-time study.
• Selection based on scholarship, leadership, and need.
• One Elks award or grant per student per academic year.

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens who are current high school seniors or the equivalent at the time of application. High school graduates and permanent legal residents are not eligible. Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks.

Eligibility: Current high school seniors (or equivalent) who are U.S. citizens on the application submission date may apply. High school graduates and noncitizen permanent residents are ineligible. Relationship to Elks members is not required.

• Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application.
• Current high school seniors or equivalent only.
• Permanent residents and high school graduates are ineligible.

Awards

The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships through the Most Valuable Student program. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $7,500 per year and are issued as certificates conditional on full-time enrollment at an accredited U.S. college or university. Male and female applicants compete separately, and many local Lodges and associations administer separate scholarships that are distinct from the national awards.

Award Value: The national program includes 500 four-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 per year; awards are conditional certificates requiring full-time enrollment. Local Lodge, district, and state association scholarships are separate from the 500 national awards.

• 500 national four-year scholarships awarded.
• Amounts vary from $1,000 to $7,500 per year; issued as conditional certificates.
• Local and state scholarships are separate from the national program.

Application Timeline

The Elks National Foundation announces national winners annually; for the 2027 contest the 500 winners will be announced in April 2027. The top 20 scholars are invited to the MVS Leadership Weekend in Chicago, which for 2027 is scheduled for April 29–May 2. Top 20 scholars receive $30,000 scholarships, runners-up receive $4,000, and attendance at Leadership Weekend is required for Top 20 recipients.

Application Timeline: The 500 national winners for the 2027 contest will be announced in April 2027. The 2027 MVS Leadership Weekend is April 29–May 2, 2027; Top 20 invitees receive $30,000 and 480 runners-up receive $4,000. Attendance at Leadership Weekend is required to be part of the Top 20 cohort and receive the $30,000 award.

• 500 national winners announced in April 2027.
• MVS Leadership Weekend: April 29–May 2, 2027, in Chicago.
• Top 20 receive $30,000; 480 runners-up receive $4,000; attendance required for Top 20 awards.