Region – The Massachusetts Elks Association recently announced its 2011-2012 academic year “Most Valuable Student” (MVS) Scholarship program, sponsored by the Elks National Foundation. Through the Most Valuable Student Scholarship program, established in 1933, the Elks National Foundation (ENF) has helped thousands of students who need financial assistance to fulfill their dreams of attending college. MVS scholars are outstanding students who are at or near the top of their class, active in school and community activities, and recognized as leaders by their peers. Students will be judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need and is available to any high school senior who is a U.S. citizen.
The ENF awards $2,296,000 annually in MVS scholarships to 500 high school seniors nationwide, (19 in Massachusetts). The first- and second-place awards are the largest scholarships provided by any major fraternal or service organization.
Male and Female students compete separately for identical awards. Below is a chart of the national awards.
2 First-Place awards of $60,000 ($15,000/year)
2 Second-Place awards of $40,000 ($10,000/yr)
2 Jack London Third-Place awards of $20,000 ($5,000/yr)
2 Fourth-Place awards of $16,000 ($4,000/yr)
2 Fifth-Place awards of $12,000 ($3,000/yr)
4 Sixth-Place awards of $10,000 ($2,500/yr)
4 Seventh-Place awards of $8,000 ($2,000/yr)
482 Runners-Up awards of $4,000 ($1,000/yr)
Massachusetts also has a total of 72 one-time $800 awards. Last year the Massachusetts Elks Association granted a total of $141,600 to graduating seniors through this program.
Applications are available beginning Sept. 1 from the local Elks Lodge, or online at www.elks.org/enf/scholars. Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline of Dec. 2 to the Elks Lodge closest to the student's permanent U.S. residence, regardless of distance. The selection of winners begins at the local lodge level and continues through the district, state association and national judging.
For more information, contact Joseph F. Neale, Massachusetts state chair, at [email protected].
