It is time for Eagle Scouts to start working on their 2009 National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarship applications. NESA offers two types of scholarships, Academic and Merit. Today’s article is all about the NESA Academic Scholarship, we will be focusing on the Merit Scholarships tomorrow, and “other” Eagle Scout Scholarships in two days.

NESA has two different academic scholarships, the first is the Mabel and Lawrence S. Cooke Scholarships. This scholarship is awarded annually and includes four $20,000 scholarships (payable at $5,000 per year) and one $48,000 scholarship (up to $12,000 per year). NESA also has a varying number of $3,000 scholarships that are awarded each year.

NESA Academic Scholarship Requirements:
1. Be an Eagle Scout and have received credentials from the national office.

2. Submit applications that are postmarked after October 1, 2008, but no later than midnight on January 31, 2009. Use sufficient postage.

3. Be a graduating high school senior entering college in the year a scholarship is applied for. Scholarships are awarded only to those who graduate from high school in the calendar year
in which scholarships are presented. Exception: Scouts whose Eagle Scout boards of review are held the same year of their high school graduation may apply in that calendar year. They may receive a scholarship one time only.

4. Provide a transcript of high school grades covering a minimum of six semesters. (The transcript need not be “official” and may be a photocopy.)

5. Have an SAT composite score of at least 1200 and/or an ACT composite score of 28. These scores must be on an official test sheet or on the high school transcript in No. 4, and must be submitted with the application. Applications will not be considered if the minimum scores are not met.

6. Have demonstrated leadership ability in Scouting and a strong record of participation in activities outside of Scouting.

7. Complete the Financial Need section of this application. It must be signed by the applicant and countersigned by the parent. Do not send W–2 forms. If you are selected for a scholarship, you will be required to submit the student FAFSA form prior to the final awarding of the scholarship.

8. Provide one signed recommendation letter from a volunteer or professional Scout leader who knows the applicant personally, and list Scouting title on the letter. This is the only endorsement required. Endorsements from teachers, counselors, etc., will not be accepted.

Selection Process:
NESA Scholarship committees are formed each year in the four BSA regions (Northeast, Southern, Central, and Western) to recommend recipients of these scholarships, with the final determination made by the National NESA Scholarship Committee.

According to the National Eagle Scout Association website, more than 5,000 NESA scholarship applications are received each year, and fewer than 100 are awarded, so the competition is fierce.

NESA Eagle Scout Academic Scholarship Application

Applications must be postmarked prior to midnight on January 31, 2009.