Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship 2027: 500 Four-Year Awards Worth Up to $30,000 — Deadline November 12, 2026
The Elks Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship for the 2027 contest closes on November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 per year to U.S. high school seniors, judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. The top 20 scholars receive $30,000 over four years. Any current high school senior who is a U.S. citizen can apply — you do not need to be related to an Elks member. Apply free on the official Elks website (elks.org) before the deadline.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship: Quick Facts
- Deadline: November 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
- Award: 500 four-year scholarships, $1,000–$7,500 per year; the top 20 scholars receive $30,000 total and 480 runners-up receive $4,000 total — a $2.52 million national pool
- Who can apply: Current high school seniors (or the equivalent) who are U.S. citizens
- Judged on: Scholarship (academics), leadership and financial need
- Official application source: Elks National Foundation, via the Most Valuable Student page at elks.org (application program code: ElksMVS)
- Cost to apply: Free — never pay anyone to submit a scholarship application
What Is the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship?
The Most Valuable Student Scholarship is the flagship college scholarship of the Elks National Foundation, the charitable arm of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For the 2027 contest, the foundation will name 500 national winners, and many local Elks Lodges, districts and state associations run additional awards through the same application — so a single application can put you in the running at the local, state and national levels at once.
The competition is judged on three criteria: scholarship (your academic record), leadership (school, work and community involvement) and financial need. Male and female students compete separately, and the 500 national winners of the 2027 contest will be announced by the foundation's Chicago office in April 2027.
How Much Is the Elks MVS Scholarship Worth?
National awards range from $1,000 per year to $7,500 per year for four years of full-time undergraduate study. The structure of the top awards is:
- Top 20 scholars: $30,000 each over four years. The top 20 are also invited to the MVS Leadership Weekend in Chicago, April 29–May 2, 2027 — and attendance at the weekend is required to be part of the Top 20 cohort and receive the $30,000 award.
- 480 runners-up: $4,000 each over four years.
- Total national pool: $2,520,000 across the 500 awards.
All scholarships are paid as certificates of award conditional on the winner enrolling full-time (a minimum of 12 semester hours) in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply for the Elks MVS Scholarship?
- You must be a current high school senior, or the equivalent, when you apply. High school graduates are not eligible.
- You must be a citizen of the United States on the date your application is submitted. The foundation states that permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
- You do not need to be related to a member of the Elks — the contest is open to all eligible seniors.
- You must plan to enroll in a four-year undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university, on a full-time basis.
- There is no minimum GPA published by the foundation, but academics are one of the three judging criteria, alongside leadership and financial need.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Go to the official Elks National Foundation page
Start at the Most Valuable Student page on elks.org (Elks National Foundation → Scholarships → Most Valuable Student) and click the official "Apply" button for the 2027 MVS Contest. If the application portal asks for a program code, it is ElksMVS. Applying is free.
Step 2: Choose your sponsoring Lodge
During the application you select from a list of the Elks Lodges closest to your home ZIP code. Your application is judged first at the Lodge level, and advancing applications move on to district, state and national judging — which is how one application can produce local and state awards even if you don't win a national scholarship.
Step 3: Complete the application before 11:59 p.m. Pacific on November 12, 2026
Complete every section covering your academics, activities, leadership and family financial information, and submit before the deadline. Because the cutoff is Pacific Time, students on the East Coast have until 2:59 a.m. Eastern — but do not leave it to deadline night. If you have questions, the Elks National Foundation can be reached at scholarship@elks.org or 773-755-4732.
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What the Judges Look For
Because the contest weighs scholarship, leadership and financial need together, a strong application shows all three: a solid academic record, real leadership and service in school or the community (including paid work and family responsibilities), and a clear picture of your family's financial situation. Be specific in activity descriptions — hours, roles and outcomes matter more than long lists of memberships.
Key Dates for the 2027 MVS Contest
- August 1, 2026: Application opened
- November 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT: Application deadline
- April 2027: The 500 national winners are announced
- April 29 – May 2, 2027: MVS Leadership Weekend in Chicago for the Top 20 scholars
Watch Out for Scholarship Scams
The Elks National Foundation never charges a fee to apply. Never pay to apply for any scholarship, never share banking details with a "scholarship service," and only submit your information through the official application linked from elks.org. If a website asks for payment to enter the MVS contest, it is not the real program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship?
The deadline for the 2027 contest is November 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, according to the Elks National Foundation's official MVS page.
How much money do Elks MVS winners receive?
The 500 national four-year awards range from $1,000 to $7,500 per year. The top 20 scholars receive $30,000 in total, the 480 runners-up receive $4,000 in total, and the national pool is $2.52 million.
Do I need a family member in the Elks to apply?
No. The foundation states clearly that applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. (A separate program, the Elks Legacy Awards, is the one reserved for children and grandchildren of Elks members.)
Can permanent residents or high school graduates apply?
No. Applicants must be U.S. citizens on the date the application is submitted — permanent legal resident status does not qualify — and must be current high school seniors; high school graduates are not eligible.
Where do I apply for the Elks MVS Scholarship?
Apply free through the official Most Valuable Student page at elks.org (Elks National Foundation). The application program code is ElksMVS. Questions go to scholarship@elks.org or 773-755-4732.
When are the 2027 Elks MVS winners announced?
The Elks National Foundation's Chicago office will announce the 500 national winners in April 2027. Many Lodges and state associations announce their own local awards earlier through the same program.
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