Elks Most Valuable Student College Scholarship

Hey everyone, I've been looking into various scholarships and the Elks Most Valuable Student College Scholarship caught my attention. Can anyone give me a rundown on what this scholarship entails and the kind of students they are looking for? Also, would love to hear some experiences if anyone applied and got it.

The Elks National Foundation's Most Valuable Student Scholarship is a highly competitive program for high school seniors who are U.S. citizens. As for the number of scholarships awarded, they award 500 four-year scholarships, ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, annually. Keep in mind that the scholarships are not renewable, but recipients can reapply each year.

The criteria they use in evaluating applicants include:

1. Academics: The Elks Foundation places a significant emphasis on a strong academic record.

2. Leadership: They look for students who have shown a good deal of leadership, either in school or in community-based activities.

3. Financial need: Last but not least, the Foundation considers financial need in determining the scholarship recipients.

You don't need to be related to an Elks member to apply but there are some guidelines for reference letters. The application requires letters of recommendation, a high school transcript, a student resume (providing information about the student's activities and accomplishments), the FAFSA's Student Aid Report (SAR), and an essay.

However, there isn't much public information about the experiences of recipients or the details of their applications. It's recommended to work towards demonstrating a balanced set of accomplishments in academics, leadership, and community service while also giving a clear picture of your financial situation in your application to improve your chances.

Good luck with the application process! Make sure to apply early and carefully check all the requirements to submit the most competitive application possible.