I'm curious about whether I meet the requirements to apply for the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship. What are the main eligibility criteria, and are there any specific restrictions or conditions I should be aware of?
The Elks National Foundation's Most Valuable Student Scholarship has some key eligibility criteria that applicants must meet:
1. You must be a high school senior intending to enroll as a full-time undergraduate in a U.S. college or university in the upcoming academic year.
2. You must be a U.S. citizen. Non-citizens, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) students, non-resident aliens, and international students, are not eligible to apply.
3. The competition is open to students regardless of their affiliation to Elks Lodge members, meaning you are not required to be related to someone who is a member of an Elks Lodge.
4. The scholarship selection doesn't revolve solely around financial need but looks at three main categories: scholarship, leadership, and financial need. So you should demonstrate strength in all three areas.
5. You don't have to specify a certain major or field of study to apply.
6. Note that once you begin college, you are required to carry a full course load each academic term to remain in good standing.
As for restrictions, you cannot take a gap year before beginning college and retain the scholarship. In other words, it's only for students beginning college immediately after high school graduation.
These are the main criteria, but as with any scholarship, it is advisable to visit the official Elks National Foundation website to get the most complete and updated information as these details can sometimes change from year to year.
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