All applicants must:
• Have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, Quartermaster, or Venturing Summit Award in the Golden Gate Area Council.
• Provide an official transcript of grades for the last three years.
• Be a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate college student no later than completion of the junior year.
• You may receive the scholarship one time only.
• Have demonstrated leadership ability in Scouting and a strong record of participation in activities outside of Scouting.
• Provide a statement by the applicant clearly stating why he believes he needs financial aid. The statement must be signed by the applicant and countersigned by the parent.
• Provide a recommendation letter from a volunteer or professional Scout leader who knows the applicant personally. This is the only endorsement required. Endorsements from teachers, counselors, etc. should not be included.
Meet some of last year’s scholarship recipients.
Sam Wu
Venturing Crew 0317
Upson Scholarship $1000
Sam Brown
Troop 465 | Concord, CA
Robert E. Witbeck Engineering Scholarship $5,000
Preston Trager
Troop 810 | Walnut Creek, CA
Robert Sciutto Scholarship $1000
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
NESA Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are based on school and Scouting participation, academic performance, and financial need. Applicants must score a minimum 1800 SAT (if taken before January, 2016), 1290 (if taken after March, 2016), or 28 ACT to apply. These include a varying number of NESA scholarships, and a varying number of Mabel and Lawrence S. Cooke scholarships. The Mabel and Lawrence S. Cooke scholarships are awarded annually and include four $25,000 scholarships (payable at $6,250 per year) and one $48,000 scholarship (up to $12,000 payable for four years), plus a varying number of others.
NESA offers an additional academic scholarship called the $50,000 NESA STEM scholarship (up to $12,500 payable for four years) to an applicant who plans to major in a science, technology, engineering, or math field.
NESA Merit Scholarships
The second type of NESA scholarships are the merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are based on school and Scouting participation, and community service. These awards cover the $2,000 and $4,000 Bailey scholarships, the $2,500 Robert and Rebecca Palmer scholarships, the Michael S. Malone/Windrush Publishing journalism scholarship, and the $5,000 Hall/McElwain merit scholarships. Each BSA region reviews applications and awards a varying number of these scholarships to local Scouts.
Josh Sain Memorial Scholarship
Awarding Agency: Ostrander Scholar Society, Burleson, Texas
Description & Requirements: An Eagle Scout; a Brotherhood or Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow; a high school senior or a college-age Arrowman under 25; currently registered in Scouting and an Order of the Arrow lodge; and have the approval of the OA lodge adviser or chapter adviser. Applicants must attend or plan on attending a fully accredited college or university and be seeking an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation with their application.
Dofflemyer Scholarship
Awarding Agency: Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.
Stanford University awards scholarships based on a family’s demonstrated need, not on merit. Students initially receive financial aid from a general scholarship fund. However, funding is sometimes drawn from named funds like the Dofflemyer Scholarship, which gives preference to Eagle Scouts. Therefore, applicants who are Eagle Scouts need only follow the university’s standard application process to demonstrate eligibility.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Scout of the Year
Awarding Agency: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Description & Requirements: This scholarship program is open to registered, active members of Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews, and Sea Scout ships. Applicant must have received the Eagle Scout Award, the Venturing Silver Award, or the Sea Scout Quartermaster Award and must have demonstrated practical citizenship in school, Scouting, and the community.
Application must be submitted through a single, local VFW post.
American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year
Awarding Agency: The American Legion
Description & Requirements: The American Legion awards a $10,000 scholarship to its Eagle Scout of the Year and three second-place scholarships of $2,500 each; awards may also be given at the department (state) level. Applicant must have received the Eagle Scout Award and the religious emblem awarded by his religious institution and must have demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, Scouting, and the community. Applicant must be the son or grandson of an American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary member, or he must be a member of a Scouting unit chartered to a Legion post, an Auxiliary unit, or a Sons of the American Legion squadron.
Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Distinguished Scout Scholarship
Awarding agency: National Catholic Committee on Scouting
Description and requirements: Each year, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting awards scholarships to five outstanding Catholic young men or women who are high school seniors and currently registered and active in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, or Venturing. The applicant must have earned the Eagle Scout Award or the Silver Award; have earned the Ad Altare Dei or Pope Pius XII religious emblem; have held a Scouting leadership position; and have served in his or her home parish.
Award amount: Five $2,000 scholarships
Chester M. Vernon Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship
Awarding Agency: National Jewish Committee on Scouting
Description & Requirements: The recipient of this scholarship will receive a $1,000 scholarship per year for four years. Applicant must be currently registered and active in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, or Venturing. He must have earned the Eagle Scout Award; have earned the Ner Tamid or Etz Chaim religious emblem; be active in a synagogue; and have demonstrated practical citizenship in the synagogue, school, Scouting unit, and community. He must demonstrate financial need.
Award Amount: $1,000 per year for four years
Deadline: January 31
Rick Arkans Eagle Scout Scholarship
Awarding Agency: National Jewish Committee on Scouting
Description & Requirements: The recipient of this scholarship will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship. Applicant must be currently registered and active in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, or Venturing. He must have earned the Eagle Scout Award; have earned the Ner Tamid or Etz Chaim religious emblem; be active in a synagogue; and have demonstrated practical citizenship in the synagogue, school, Scouting unit, and community. He must demonstrate financial need.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 31
Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship
Awarding Agency: National Jewish Committee on Scouting
Description & Requirements: The recipient of this scholarship will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship; two runners-up will receive one-time $500 scholarships. Applicant must be currently registered and active in Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, or Venturing. He must have earned the Eagle Scout Award; have earned the Ner Tamid or Etz Chaim religious emblem; be active in a synagogue; and have demonstrated practical citizenship in the synagogue, school, Scouting unit, and community.
Award Amount: $500 to $1,000
Deadline: January 31
Eastern Orthodox Scouting Scholarships
Awarding Agency: Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting
Description & Requirements: The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting awards three one-time merit-based scholarships each year to Eastern Orthodox Scouts. Applicant must be registered and active in Boy Scouting or Girl Scouting and must have earned the Eagle Scout Award (Boy Scouts) or the Gold Award (Girl Scouts). Applicant must be active in an Eastern Orthodox church and have earned the Alpha Omega religious emblem. One scholarship, funded by the Russian Children’s Welfare Society, is reserved for applicants of Russian descent.
Award Amount: $500 to $1,000
Deadline: May 1