Scholarships
Harvey Boelts, Chairman, Orange Lodge No. 1475
Anna-Marie Bratton, Vice Chairman, Modesto Lodge No. 1282
The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship
The Elks National Foundation awards 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the competition each year.
Here are the requirements:
- Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply.
- Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
- College students are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are signed; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
- Male and female students compete separately.
In 2026, there are two winners from California among the top recipients!
The California-Hawaii Elks Association Vocational Grant
The program is open to anyone residing in California or Hawaii who is a citizen of the United States of America and planning to pursue an eligible vocational/technical (voc/tech) course resulting in a certificate or two-year degree and leading to employment opportunities.
The program is open to male and female applicants who will be judged on an equal basis. While graduating high school seniors may apply, it is not limited to high school students, in fact, it is open to all prospective students who require training or retraining to compete in the workplace.
The Vocational Grant is for one academic year, with an option to renew for one additional academic year. This grant may be used only for usual and required costs of student’s course of study; that is, for tuition and fees, room and board (if living on campus) and books & supplies. Payment will be made to the school. Awards will be between $500 and 2,000 for an academic year depending on length of course.
The definition of an eligible program shall be comparable to that contained in the federal vocational legislation. That is defined as a two-year or less vocational/technical program culminating in a terminal Associate degree, diploma or certificate, but less than a baccalaureate program (Bachelor’s degree). Students planning to transfer to a four year school to pursue a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible to apply.
Examples of courses approved recently are:
-
6 month Police Academy
-
13 month Cosmetology program
-
3 month Electrical Lineman
-
13 month Veterinary Technology
-
2 year Fire Science
A student must plan to attend school on a full-time basis for a minimum of sixty days. An academic year is determined to be a minimum of nine (9) months (approximately 39 weeks) of continuous full-time study. Payments may not be used to cover retroactive charges and may only be applied to expenses in the academic year.
Scholarship Inquiries
For inquiries regarding Verification of Enrollment Forms, or any questions regarding Scholarships please fill out the form below.
California-Hawaii Elks Association
The program is open to anyone residing in California or Hawaii who is a citizen of the United States of America and planning to pursue an eligible vocational/technical (voc/tech) course resulting in a certificate or two-year degree and leading to employment opportunities.
The program is open to male and female applicants who will be judged on an equal basis. While graduating high school seniors may apply, it is not limited to high school students; in fact, it is open to all prospective students who require training or retraining to compete in the workplace.
The Vocational Grant is for one academic year, with an option to renew for one additional academic year. This grant may be used only for usual and required costs of the student’s course of study; that is, for tuition and fees, room and board (if living on campus), and books & supplies. Payment will be made to the school. Awards will be between $500 and $2,000 for an academic year, depending on the length of the course.
The definition of an eligible program shall be comparable to that contained in the federal vocational legislation. That is defined as a two-year or less vocational/technical program culminating in a terminal associate degree, diploma, or certificate, but less than a baccalaureate program (bachelor's degree). Students planning to transfer to a four-year school to pursue a bachelor's degree are not eligible to apply.
Examples of courses approved recently are:
A student must plan to attend school on a full-time basis for a minimum of sixty days. An academic year is determined to be a minimum of nine (9) months (approximately 39 weeks) of continuous full-time study. Payments may not be used to cover retroactive charges and may only be applied to expenses in the academic year.
Applications must be filed with the Scholarship Chairman, Exalted Ruler, or Secretary of the Elks Lodge having jurisdiction in the area of the student’s legal residence. An application may only be filed with one lodge.
California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc.
Undergraduate Scholarship Program for
Students with Disabilities
This scholarship program is a financial needs-based and academic-use scholarship. It is intended for undergraduate work at an accredited community college, four-year college, university, or licensed vocational school. The funds cover academic expenses only, which include tuition, books, lab fees, and on-campus room and board.
Since 1981, the Elks have provided financial assistance to students with disabilities wishing to further their education. Utilized by dozens of qualified candidates, this program serves a dual purpose: 1) the students are aided in pursuing their goals in higher education, and 2) the students are aided in becoming part of the mainstream working community.
During the years in which this annual scholarship assistance competition has been in existence, the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc. Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities has increased from five scholarships of $1,000 to twenty to thirty scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000 each. Scholarship recipients may reapply each year. If qualified, they can receive up to a total of four years of assistance.
Individuals applying must be a United States citizen and a resident of California or Hawaii; have a physical impairment, neurological impairment, visual impairment, hearing impairment, and/or speech-language disorder; and be a senior in high school, a high school graduate, or have passed the General Educational Development (GED) Examination or the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).
The applicant is responsible for properly executing and forwarding the completed application to the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc.
Download the Application
Download the Brochure
Obtain and complete a scholarship application:
GRADUATES Where Are They Now?