Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards 2027

The Elks National Foundation opened its 2027 Legacy Awards contest for high-school seniors who are children, stepchildren, grandchildren, step-grandchildren, or legal wards of an active Elks member. The listed award is $6,000 for study at an accredited U.S. institution. This is not an open scholarship for every student: family relationship and membership status are central conditions.

For the 2027 contest, the sponsoring member must meet the membership-history rule and remain in good standing through March 31, 2027; the page includes an exception for charter members of lodges instituted since April 2024. Great-grandchildren are not eligible. If both a parent and grandparent are members, the applicant must select the parent’s lodge in the form.

Applications are accepted online only and close February 1, 2027, at 11:59 a.m. Pacific time; the foundation emphasizes that this is noon, not midnight. The ACT or SAT requirement has been waived for this cycle. Awards are allocated by state and area, with additional at-large awards, so meeting eligibility does not guarantee a scholarship.

Legacy recipients must complete at least three service activities with a lodge during their college career under the published community-connection requirement. Results are scheduled for late April 2027. Applicants should confirm early that the sponsor can verify membership and keep the electronic submission receipt. This award is separate from Most Valuable Student, which uses different criteria and does not require an Elks family connection.

Official program information and application