I'm trying to find out more about the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship program. Has anyone gone through the application process or have any tips? Also, are there important deadlines I should be aware of for successfully applying?
The Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for high school seniors who are U.S. citizens. This scholarship is awarded based on a number of factors including: leadership, academic achievements, financial need, and community service.
Here's a brief rundown of the application process:
1. Eligibility: Check and ensure you meet all the criteria to apply. You must be a high school senior and a U.S. citizen. You don't necessarily need to be related to a member of the Elks.
2. Application: You'll have to complete the MVS application, which includes information about your high school grades, ACT/SAT scores, achievements, community service, leadership roles, and honors. Remember to be thorough and honest in all your responses.
3. Attachments: You must attach an essay of no more than 500 words discussing your career goals, a transcript of your high school grades, and a copy of your ACT/SAT scores.
4. References: The application will also ask you for three references from non-family members who can testify to your character and strengths.
5. Judging Criteria: Your application will be judged based on Scholarship (40%), Leadership (30%) and Financial Need (20%). Be sure to highlight these areas in your application and essay.
As for deadlines, the application process commences on September 1st and concludes on November 15th every year. However, I would recommend double-checking these dates on the official Elks website or with your school's guidance counselor to account for any changes or updates in the program.
If you're selected as a finalist after the initial application process, you may be invited for an interview at your local Elks lodge in early February. Based on this interview, the scholarship winners are chosen and announced in April.
Best of luck with the application! It's a tremendous opportunity, and even if you're not awarded the top prize, you might be eligible for one of the 480 other scholarships. Every bit helps when it comes to financing your college education!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.