Scholarships - The National Eagle Scout Association (2024)

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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.

Timeline and Eligibility

Eligibility

Eagle Scouts must be a member of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) to apply.
Eagle Scouts may apply for NESA scholarships beginning in their senior year of high school through their junior year in an undergraduate program or by the halfway point of their associate degree program or skilled trade program.
Recipients may receive a NESA scholarship one time only.
NESA scholarships are available to Eagle Scouts currently enrolled in or accepted by an accredited educational institution as a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours) in a program leading to an academic degree (including associate degrees) or a skilled trade program.
Cooke four-year scholarship awardees must be enrolled in an accredited four year college or university as a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours) in a program leading to a bachelors degree.
NESA scholarships are not available to students attending any of the U.S. military academies.
NESA scholarships are not available to graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.

Application Timeline

Eagle Board of Review Date:
Must be on or before January 24, 2025.

Application Portal Open:
December 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025.

Application Must be Completed and Submitted
By 11:59 p.m. CST on January 31, 2025.

Announcement of Scholarship Awards:
June 10, 2025.

2023-2024 Available NESA Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to Eagle Scouts who have shown active participation in school, Scouting activities, and community service, and who demonstrate they understand the fundamentals of service to community, service to Scouting and their character. They should also demonstrate that, if they have a financial need, what distinguishes their financial need from others.

One recipient will be selected for a four-year $48,000 Lawrence S. and Mabel Cooke Scholarship (up to $12,000 per year for four years).
Four recipients will be selected for a four-year $25,000 Lawrence S. and Mabel Cooke Scholarship (up to $6,250 per year for four years).
One recipient will be selected from each NST for a one-year $10,000 Lawrence S. and Mabel Cooke Scholarship.
One recipient will be selected from each NST for a one-year $5,000 National Eagle Scout Association Endowment Scholarship.
One recipient will be selected from each NST for a one-year $4,500 Hansen & Mary Hall Scholarship.
One recipient will be selected from each NST for a one-year $3,500 Lester S. McElwain Eagle Scholarship, Robert and Rebecca Palmer Eagle Scout Scholarship, or National Eagle Scout Association Legacy Society Scholarship.

To apply for a NESA scholarship

You must be a NESA member to apply, but you will NOT need any BSA membership numbers or ID’s to update the application. Please do not contact NESA to confirm membership.
To start the application process, click on the “CLICK HERE TO APPLY” button below to get to the NESA scholarship portal. This is the only way applications will be accepted.
If it is your first time visiting the portal, click “New applicant” to begin the scholarship application process. (Other BSA IDs and passwords will not work; all new applicants must click “New applicant” to begin the process.)
Once your Portal account is created, you can begin filling out the application. You do not need to complete the application all at once; you can come back and make updates.
You will receive a link to access your application. Save this link to make any updates.
Once you have created an application, do not use this button to access the portal. It will create a new application.
TROUBLESHOOTING: If you log into theportal and do not see your scholarship application, most likely you did not use the link to access it. Please do not create a new application; log back in using the link provided.

Portal opens December 1, 2024

Award Condition

Awardee must be an active member of the National Eagle Scout Association for each award period.
Awardee will register, maintain, and provide NESA with proof of full-time status at their selected college/university or skilled trade program during the life of the scholarship.
All funds will be paid directly to the awardee’s selected college/university or skilled trade program for tuition, room, board, and books during the life of the scholarship, which is a maximum of four consecutive years.
See Also
How To Plan An Eagle Scout Project: An Easy 5-Step Guide | ScoutSmarts
Awardee must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution as a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours) in a program leading to an academic degree (including associate degrees) or a skilled trade program.

NESA will submit payment to the selected college/university or skilled trade program upon receipt of a school/program course schedule verifying the awardee’s full-time status.
For Cooke four-year awardees NESA will submit payment to the selected college/university upon receipt of a course schedule and unofficial transcript verifying the awardee’s full-time status.
Scholarship awards will be paid in installments or as a one-time payment at the discretion of NESA. Awardee must use scholarship in the academic year awarded. Scholarships may not be deferred.
Awardee will submit a short thank you video report (2 -4 minutes to NESA at the beginning of the school year that shares the importance of the scholarship to your academic success.