Scholarships
2025 Scholarships and Student of the Month Recognition
Below you will find information for and links to all the scholarship opportunities offered by the Grand Lodge of the Elks, the Brainerd Elks Lodge #615, and Central Lakes College. Please read the details thoroughly before accessing the link to the application for your selected scholarship(s).
Details
The Elks National Foundation (ENF) awards $2.52 million in college scholarships annually.
The top six applicants (three boys, three girls) from Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 will be forwarded to the district level. Eight students from each district will compete at the state level and receive a $2,000 scholarship. Five (2 boys, 2 girls and the next highest score) students selected at the state level will move on to the national ENF finals and will receive a $4,000 scholarship. The top 20 students nationally receive a $30,000 scholarship. Only the highest amount is awarded. In 2023, a student from the Brainerd Lodge received a $4000 scholarship and competed nationally.
The Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 will supplement the national scholarships locally with two $1000 Most Valuable Scholarships that will be awarded to a senior male student and a senior female student. The Brainerd Elks Scholarship Committee will select the local recipients from the participating area high school seniors completing the Elks Most Valuable student application.
Eligibility
All high school seniors from the area are encouraged to participate, and applicants compete at local, district, state, and national levels.
Filing of Application
Applications must be submitted on or before November 12, 2025. Once submitted, the applicant's counselor will be contacted and their response must be received by November 19, 2025.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Details
The scholarship amount is $1,600. Recipients will be sent a check directly to them for the scholarship amount after completing a minimum of 12 credits with a 2.0 grade point or higher fall semester and submitting an official transcript.
Eligibility
Any presently enrolled senior of a high school in the Brainerd area who plans to pursue a general course of study in a liberal arts program.
Criteria
Scholarship (50%) Financial need (40%) and Leadership (10%) are the guidelines.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation -- one from a teacher and one from a community member other than a relative -- are required. Please prepare these letters in advance as separate files and upload them using the form.
Filing of Application
Completed application should be submitted before February 28, 2026.
SUBMIT YOR APPLICATION
Details
The scholarship amount is $1,600. Recipients will be sent a check directly to them for the scholarship amount after completing a minimum of 12 credits with a 2.0 grade point or higher fall semester and submitting an official transcript.
Eligibility
Any presently enrolled senior of a high school in the Brainerd area who plans to pursue a general course of study in a career and technical program.
Criteria
Scholarship (50%) Financial need (40%) and Leadership (10%) are the guidelines.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation -- one from a teacher and one from a community member other than a relative -- are required. Please prepare these letters in advance as separate files and upload them using the form.
Filing of Application
Completed application should be submitted before February 28, 2026.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
The Brainerd Elks Lodge #615 takes great pride in supporting area high school students and encouraging them through the Student of the Month Awards program. Each high school in our service region is asked to select a senior for this honor.
The selection for the Student of the Month Award is made by the local school counselor(s). Each school develops its own selection process to select one senior student to honor. This award is designed to recognize students who use their personal skills and abilities to make positive contributions rather than a reward for academic and performance achievements. We request that you select a senior who is a credit to their home, school and community for this award. We will honor your choice with:
- A $250 Award to the student
- A congratulatory letter and certificate from the Lodge
- A brief article in the local papers (optional, please send a recent photo)
- An article in our Lodge newsletter, The Elkorama
We also encourage you to recognize the student at your school.
The students will receive their award at a recognition dinner that includes their parents or guardians and counselor which will be held in April. Invitations will be sent out in March.
Selections should be submitted by March 15, 2026.
SUBMIT YOUR SELECTION FOR STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Annual Recognition Banquet
All scholarship recipients and students of the month, two family members or guardians, and their counselors will be invited to a banquet to celebrate. Date and location to be determined.