Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards
Scholarship Sponsored by Elks National Foundation
Overview
Legacy Awards are $4,000 scholarships reserved for children and grandchildren of Elks. The following explains who may apply and the program’s key rules and deadlines for the 2026 contest.
Who may apply
- Relationship: Applicants must be a child or grandchild of a living Elks member. Step-children, step-grandchildren, and legal wards are eligible. Great-grandchildren are not eligible.
- Member status: The sponsoring Elk must have either joined the Order on or before April 1, 2023, or be a charter member of a Lodge instituted on or after April 1, 2023. That Elk must have paid Lodge dues for the two consecutive years immediately preceding March 31, 2026.
- Grade level: Applicants must be high school seniors.
How to apply and deadline
- Submission method: Applications are accepted online only.
- Deadline: The online application must be submitted by February 2, 2026, 11:59 a.m. Pacific Time (midday/noon Pacific).
Special application rules and clarifications
- If both your parent and grandparent are Elks members, you must list your parent’s Elks Lodge on the application.
- Standardized tests: ACT and SAT score submissions are waived for the 2026 Legacy contest; you do not need to provide those scores.
- Multiple ENF scholarships: You may apply for more than one ENF scholarship, but an individual student may receive only one national ENF award. If a student is chosen for multiple ENF scholarships, the program will issue the single scholarship of greater value. Accepting local and state-level scholarships (which are separate from national awards) is permitted.
Where the award can be used
- Legacy Awards must be applied to accredited institutions in the United States (colleges, universities, or schools). Exception: applicants from Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines may use the award at accredited institutions in their respective home jurisdictions.
Recipient service expectation
- Recipients selected for a 2026 Legacy Award are required to complete at least three acts of service with an Elks Lodge during their college years to strengthen their connection to the #ElksFamily. For details on serving with a Lodge, consult Elks service resources.