CAN YOU GET A SCHOLARSHIP FOR BEING AN EAGLE SCOUT?
The Eagle Scout Award is Scouting’s highest rank and feather in your cap if you’re looking for a scholarship. In fact, scholarships are plentiful for high achieving scout members.
Some scholarship opportunities are available from the BSA. Yet others outside the Boy Scouts of America also sponsor these awards.
There are a few kinds of scholarships that Eagle Scouts can look for also. To be eligible, you’ll need to be a National Eagle Scout Association member. Plus, each scholarship comes with its own set of other criteria.
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships weigh four things: school, academic performance, scouting participation, and financial need.
These Eagle scholarships may entail pursuing a specific major. For example, take the NESA STEM Scholarship, a $50,000 award. It goes to Eagle Scouts whose chosen field is STEM related. So, areas within science, technology, engineering or math.
Another such option from the National Eagle Scout Association is the Cooke Scholarship. To be eligible, you need to have at least an SAT (1290) or an ACT (28) score.
Merit Scholarships
Merit scholarships for Eagle Scouts from NESA assess three things. An Eagle Scout’s academic performance, school and Scouting participation, and community service.
To apply, start at the outset of your senior year of high school. Then, continue applying every year up through junior year in college. The Hall/McElwain Merit Scholarship offered through NESA is one example.
How much money do you get for an Eagle Scout Scholarship?
The amount that each scholarship pays varies. Academic scholarships provided by the Boy Scouts of America range from $25,000 to $50,000. But their merit scholarships pay between $1,000 and $5,000.
There are many other grantors too. Each with their own scale for awarding financial aid to Eagle Scouts.
One example is the Eagle Scout of the Year Award. Granted by the American Legion, there is one award for $10,000. Three runners up receive $2,500 each.
Is Being an Eagle Scout Good for College?
The Class of 2018 with 52,160 Eagle Scouts, is the eighth-biggest Eagle Scout class in history. Since the average Eagle Scout is 17.32 years of age, many are college-bound.
These young men have earned the highest level in the Boy Scouts of America. In fact, only 6.49 percent of eligible Scouts earned Eagle in 2018.
Many organizations see this award as deserving of recognition. They become generous donors, providing scholarship opportunities that young scouts can choose from.
The Eagle Scout Scholarship Fund is one. It started with a donation of $1 million. The grantor who established the fund was former Texas governor, William P. Clements Jr.
At its start, the gift funded $90,000 in scholarships. The fund has grown since to award $690,000 in scholarships. So, if you are an Eagle Scout seeking help to pay for college, this is a major resource.
Does being an Eagle Scout help with college admissions?
Being an Eagle Scout may help with college admissions. After all, it’s a prestigious award and rank to earn. Eagle Scouts have the reputation for being:
People you can trust
Loyal
Helpful
Courteous
Respectful
Friendly
While it may not make up for poor grades, many colleges weigh a candidate using other criteria. This may mean taking a deeper look at your extracurricular activities. Or, assessing your leadership qualities.
What Colleges give Eagle Scout Scholarships?
There are colleges in the U.S. that offer scholarships for Eagle Scouts. One example is the Eagle Scout/Gold Award from the University of Mississippi.
Entering freshman with either the Eagle Scout or Gold Award can apply. New freshmen may receive $6,000 ($1,500 / year). While new Community College Transfer students may receive $3,000 ($1,500 / year)
Florida Tech’s Melbourne campus also awards Eagle Scouts for scholarships. It is for any new first-year student who earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Girl Scouts with the Gold Award may also apply. It is called the Panther Fund Scholarship which awards $2,500 per year. You need to be a full time undergraduate there.
Hampton Sydney College offers Eagle Scouts scholarships as well. It is worth $5,000 per year, totaling $20,000. These scholarships value an Eagle Scout’s leadership, honor, service, and character.
The Highlander Character Scholarship is another example. Available at MacMurray College this award pays $1,000 per year. It is available to first-year and transfer students. Ones who are active in community action and leadership organizations. This includes members of the Boy Scouts of America.
List of Scholarships for Eagle Scouts
Check out our list of scholarships below. We have 184 awards worth $1M.
The National Jewish Committee on Scouting Scholarship Program is available for Eagle scouts who are high school seniors and are active members of a synagogue. Applications must be submitted between October 1 and January 31. Winner can receive up to $1,000. Click here to learn more and apply today!
This award is for high school seniors who are active in the BSA at the Eagle Scout level and are younger than 19 years old. Applicants must be U.S citizens or permanent residents and be registered in an active Eagle Scout Unit. Winner can receive up to $8,000. Click here to learn more and apply today!
This award is for active members of a Boy Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scout Ship who have received the Eagle Scout Award, Venture Silver Award, or Quartermaster Award. Applicants must be between 15 and 18 years of age and still in high school. Click here to learn more and apply today!
This award is for high school seniors who are active in Scouting and are practicing Catholics. Applicants must have won the Eagle Scout/Silver Award, Ad Altare Dei or Pope Pius XII Religious Award, and demonstrate outstanding leadership. Click here to learn more and apply today!
This nonrenewable scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to a current high school senior who will study forestry in an effort to advance and improve forestry practices for generations to come. Applicants must be in the process of enrolling at a four-year college/university studying forestry, environmental science, or natural resources.
This scholarship is available for Eagle Scouts who have an SAT score of 1200 or higher and/or an ACT score of 28 or higher. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors planning to enter college in the year that the scholarship is applied for. Up to $50,000 is awarded. Click here to learn more and apply today!
Congratulations on achieving the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. You have just begun your life journey and with the skills and character you’ve developed in Scouting, you have a solid foundation to build upon. As a future leader, Eagle Scouts like you, are critical to preserving the fabric of our great nation.
The National Eagle Scout Association is proud to offer scholarships that can help you continue your educational adventure.
This scholarship is available for Eagle Scouts who are graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate students. Students may apply no later than the completion of their junior year of college. Students should have score a minimum 1290 SAT or an ACT score of at least 28. Learn more and apply today!
Hall/McElwain Scholarships provides awards of up to $5,000 each based on school and Scouting participation as well as community service. To be eligible, an applicant must be an Eagle Scout and a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate college student. Students attending any of the U.S. military academies are not eligible.
The Michael S. Malone/Windrush Publishing Scholarship is available for graduating high school senior or an undergraduate college student. Click here to learn more and apply today! Scholarship recipients are announced via email no later than July 15th.
