ENF Scholarships Make College Possible

CHICAGO, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The cost of college is formidable, preventing many deserving students from attending at all and leaving many others to graduate with an overwhelming amount of debt. Last year, the average tuition at a private four-year institution rose 4.4 percent, reaching $26,273, and the average cost of attending a public four-year university increased 6.5 percent*. The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship contest, which launched on September 1, 2010, aims to alleviate this financial burden for 500 ambitious students.  

Thanks to their MVS scholarship, the two 2010 top scholarship recipients are now attending the universities of their dreams. Jenny Van, sponsored by Fort Smith, Ark., Lodge No. 341, will attend MIT, and Bryan Dongre, sponsored by Waukesha, Wisc., Lodge No. 400, will be attending Princeton. Each received a $60,000 scholarship from the Elks National Foundation.

"My Elks National Foundation scholarship will unquestionably enable my college experience," says Jenny. "Not only will I have financial security, but I will also be able to thrive and mature with the awareness that I have the support of such a generous organization."

This year, through the MVS Scholarship, the Elks National Foundation will award $2.296 million, giving students a chance to earn a college education without incurring insurmountable loans. The Foundation awards 18 top winners scholarships ranging from $8,000 to $60,000. The remaining 482 runners-up receive $4,000 scholarships.

This scholarship is available to all high school seniors who are United States citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Males and females compete separately, and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Completed applications must be turned in to the applicant's nearest Elks Lodge, no later than December 1, 2010. The 500 national winners will be announced in mid-April.

Applications for the 2011 contest are available at Elks Lodges, local high schools, and for download at www.elks.org/enf/scholars.

For complete Most Valuable Student scholarship contest details, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars.

*CollegeBoard (http://www.collegeboard.com/press/releases/208962.html)

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SOURCE Elks National Foundation