Hello everyone, this is a reminder that I posted about this at the end of August, but it's HERE!! Most people need a few reminders so this is it...share with your class of 2026 groups. It stinks to have to pay for it when it could have been free.
The Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship is for high school seniors who are U.S. citizens. It is both a regional and a national scholarship with the same application! The 2026 MVS application closes on November 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Go check out the application and read more about it. It will send you to this ISTS page to apply. You will need to create an account, be sure it's an email you will check as that's how they notify the finalists and winners (through email). I suggest you making a new email address that sounds professional for your applications just so it looks more professional.
This application has an essay, requires a high school counselor report, a resume, and your grades list. It's lengthy but worth it! It's one of the first for seniors this year so go ahead and get everything together now so you have it for others as the year goes on.
Scholarships are available only to students who enroll in four-year undergraduate degree programs at accredited U.S. American colleges or universities.
Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
2026 Most Valuable Student Award Offers 500 Four-Year Awards for the 2026-27, 2027-28, 2028-29, 2029-30 Academic Years
Four-Year Total Award
No. of Awards
Total
First Place
$30,000
20
$600,000
Runners Up
$4,000
480
$1,920,000
Total:
$2,520,000
Many local Lodges, districts and state Elks associations award their own scholarships through this program. These scholarships are not to be confused with the 500 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships, but the application is the same.
Each year, the month of September is Tennessee College Application & Exploration Month. If you are a senior in high school, go check out this year's list of free colleges to apply to in Tennessee. This list can save you hundreds of dollars, so if you're even considering any of these, be sure to apply while it's free. At most schools, there's a fee to apply, which can impact some people's ability to apply to various schools and see what they receive in student aid offers.
Do it before the free window closes! I'll keep my eyes peeled for other states, but I know some others have a week or month like this as well.
2025-2026 Dates
September 1-5 — Explore College & Career September 8-12 — Prepare to Apply September 15-19 — Apply September 22-26 — I Applied, Now What?
The full PDF is here, but can change as schools are added as the month progresses.
