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 awards worth .
The Glenn and Melinda Adams Service Project of the Year Award is available for an Eagle Scout, his parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission). National recipients will receive $2,500, to be available for their future educational purposes or to attend a national or international Scouting event or facility.
This scholarship is open to female U.S. incoming and current freshmen who are majoring in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering. Students must attend eligible schools as listed on the SWE website.
