Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship awards 500 four-year college scholarships to graduating U.S. high school seniors. For the 2027 contest, 20 top finalists receive $30,000 total and 480 runners-up receive $4,000 total, distributing $2.52 million nationally. Awards are certificates payable over four years and remain conditional on full-time enrollment of at least 12 semester hours in an accredited four-year undergraduate program in the United States. Applicants do not need to be members of the Elks or related to an Elk. Selection considers scholarship, leadership, and financial need, and applications advance through local Lodge, district, state, and national judging. Quarterfinalists must later provide a transcript and FAFSA Submission Summary; national semifinalists provide an additional essay and teacher evaluation. The top 20 must attend the required Leadership Weekend in Chicago from April 29 through May 2, 2027 to join the top-award cohort. Current high school seniors or equivalent students may apply, but graduates may not. U.S. citizenship is required on the submission date; permanent-resident status alone is not enough. The official application route closes November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific and uses program code ElksMVS if prompted.

Eligibility

• Be a current high school senior or equivalent student; high school graduates are not eligible
• Be a U.S. citizen on the date the application is submitted
• Plan to enroll in an accredited four-year undergraduate degree program in the United States
• Enroll full time for at least 12 semester hours to receive the award
• Demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and financial need
• Submit later-round transcript, FAFSA, essay, and teacher-evaluation materials if selected
• Attend the April 29–May 2, 2027 Leadership Weekend if selected for the top-20 cohort
• Submit by November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time