Yesterday, we featured information on the National Eagle Scout Association Academic Scholarships, today the focus is on the NESA Merit Scholarships, tomorrow “Other” Eagle Scout Scholarships.

The NESA Merit Scholarship is called the Hall/McElwain Merit Scholarship. Each BSA region reviews applications and awards a varying number of these $1,000 scholarships.

NESA merit scholarship applicants must be Eagle Scouts graduating high school or undergraduate college students no farther than completion of the junior year. Recipients may receive the scholarship one time only.

The number of scholarships awarded varies annually depending on the funds available. You must apply through the region in which you earned your Eagle rank. This scholarship is for tuition, room, board, and books only. This scholarship is not available to students attending any of the U.S. military academies, because at these academies expenses covered by NESA scholarships are already paid by the United States government.

The scholarship is limited to use at a four-year college/university that is accredited by recognized accreditation agencies and offers at least a bachelor’s degree upon completion of the course of study offered.

NESA Merit 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 or an undergraduate college student no later than completion of the junior year. You may receive the scholarship one time only.

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

5. Provide one signed recommendation letter from a volunteer or professional Scout leader (please list Scouting title on the letter) who knows the applicant personally. This letter should attest to the general character of the applicant. This is the only endorsement required. Endorsements from teachers, counselors, etc., will not be accepted.

Note: Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard that will be initialed, dated, and returned to let you know your application has been received. We will not search to ensure your application has been received.

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 Merit Scholarship Application

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

Popularity: 2% [?]

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.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The National Council has approved a few new uniform square knots over the past year. It appears not too many folks have seen or heard about them, so here is a run down:

The Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award Square Knot
The Doctorate of Commissioner Science Award Knot is available to any currently active commissioner at any position by completing the attached requirements. Approval is administered by the local council through the council commissioner and the professional advisor to commissioner service. The knot once earned can be purchased through the Supply Group at your local Scout Shop or Council Distributor.

Philmont Training Center Masters Square Knot
This is a three track program. First Track attend Philmont Training Center (PTC) as a participant.

Second track: Take an additional Course at PTC. (and) Recruit 3 people to attend a PTC course. (and) Teach a BSA course in your district, council, area or region. Course and participation in the course must be approved by the council or area chair prior to the course.

Third Track: Serve as a faculty member at PTC or attend a third time as a participant. (and) Recruit 3 people to attend a PTC course. (and) Do one of the following: Coordinate a council, area or regional cluster approved training event and coordinate and staff a promotional booth for the PTC at a council event. (or) Conduct a council “Philmont Family Meeting” to share PTC information and encourage family participation. (or) Teach a training course in a foreign county- Coordinated and approved by the BSA international division.

Completing the the first and second track, you would earn the square knot. By completing thing third track you would earn a PTC square knot device.

NESA Life Membership Square Knot
This new know is for National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) life members. It may be purchased from your local Scout Shop, by showing your NESA Life Member card. If they don’t have them in stock, they can order one for you. The item number is 18092. Only one Eagle Scout Award square knot maybe worn at a time, so this one should replace the Eagle Scout square knot on your uniform if you are a NESA Life Member.

BSA Speaker Bank Square Knot
In order to spread the message of Scouting, the BSA is maintaining a list of speakers to get the word out about Scouting. After a registered speaker conducts a minimum of 20 speeches and provides feedback, the speaker will receive a knot. Knot recipients will receive recognition at the National Annual Meeting. More information can be found at: BSA Speakers Bank

Popularity: 20% [?]