Scholarship Database

Open to all students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public or private high school. 

Record your original 3-5 minute essay on an audio CD or a flash drive (one student per CD or flash drive).  All recordings must be in your own voice. No music, signing, poetry, or sound effects are allowed.  The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, although the recording and typed essay should be be labeled with your name, to show ownership. A local VFW Post representative will come to the school to pick up any applications on the due date.

One winner for every 15 entries from each Post advances to District and one District winner advances to the state (department) competition. State winners are invited to Washington DC where their essays compete in the finals competition.

Eligibility:

• 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.

Awards:

• The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2021 competition.
• Male and female students compete separately.

• Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.

• The Chicago office of the Elks National Foundation will announce the 500 national winners in late April, 2021. (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.)

• The 20 Top Finalists traditionally participate in an all expenses paid 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.

Purpose
The purpose of the Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship program is to recognize student leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement.  It is the goal of the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation to encourage Wisconsin youth to pursue post-secondary education in a public or nonpublic university, college, or vocational/technical college.  The Foundation awards a total of $10,000 in scholarships to 100 Wisconsin high school graduates each year.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applicants must be graduating high school students who intend to enroll in a postsecondary institution, which may be a public or nonpublic university, college, or vocational/technical college.  Students who are residents of the State of Wisconsin, are in good standing, and who demonstrate probable success in postsecondary education are eligible to apply.  This is a competitive scholarship.  Eligibility is not limited by GPA, class rank, or any other school or program conferred status (ex. National Honor Society). Any student who meets the above eligibility criteria may apply.

Selection Criteria
Students will be evaluated on their leadership, citizenship, school and community involvement, and academic achievement.  In addition, students will be evaluated on their ability to clearly articulate goals in each of four areas: future educational goals, personal life goals, community/society service goals, and career goals.  Each student must submit three letters of recommendation.  Letters of recommendation will be evaluated on how well they describe the student's improvements, contributions, and successes. Letters may be from a current or previous year’s teacher, counselor or principal.

Important for students applying to know:
The three people you choose to write letters of recommendation for you will not be able to submit their letters until you have completed and submitted your application.  We recommend that you complete and submit your application, which includes entering in the names and email addresses of your three recommenders, at least two weeks in advance of the application deadline of November 17 which means complete your application around November 1 so that your recommenders have time to upload their letters.

If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor.

Winners come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, but are united by their drive, determination and strong character.

Applicants to the scholarship must:

• Demonstrate courage, strength and wisdom as shown by community impact through volunteer service.
• Be a high school senior planning to attend an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the US.
• Be a United States citizen or legal resident living or claiming residency in one of the 50 US states, District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.