The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2025 competition.
- Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply.
- Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks.
- College students are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are signed; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
- Male and female students compete separately.
The 2025 contest will begin on September 1, 2025.. Applications should be submitted by November 12th, 2025. Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need.
Applications must advance through local, district and state competitions to reach national judging. In late April, the 20 top finalists will participate in a Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These 20 finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. The 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000.