Most Valuable Student Scholarship

The Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship is a prestigious program offered by the Elks National Foundation to support high school seniors pursuing higher education. Applicants are judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. This competitive program awards 500 four-year scholarships to students who are U.S. citizens, with male and female students competing separately. The scholarship supports students enrolling in four-year undergraduate degree programs at accredited U.S. colleges or universities on a full-time basis (minimum 12 semester hours). Notably, applicants do not need to be related to an Elks member to apply. The top 20 finalists are invited to a Leadership Weekend in Chicago where they compete for the highest award amounts. The program distributes a total of $2,520,000 annually, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 per year. The top 20 scholars receive $30,000 (four-year total) while 480 runners-up receive $4,000 each. High school graduates and permanent legal residents who are not U.S. citizens are not eligible to apply.