Gateway Lodge will be giving $2,000.00 in scholarships to local seniors; $1,000.00 to the top female winner and $1,000.00 to the top male winner. Click HERE to download a copy of the application and to find the location of the Lodge that is nearest to your home.

NOTE:  This year due to the early application deadline SAT and ACT test must be taken by October 10, 2009 in order to have your scores by the application due date.

2010 Most Valuable Student Scholarship applications must be submitted to the Lodge nearest the applicant’s permanent address by 5:00 PM on November 2, 2009.

                                     LEVELS OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
                     (Awarded to one top female winner & one top male winner)

Local Lodge Level - $1,000 – 1st Place Winners
District Level - $1,600 – 1st Place / $1,400 – 2nd Place / $1,200 – 3rd Place
State Level –  $2,200 – 1st Place / $1,800 – 2nd Place / $1,500 – 3rd Place
                       $1,000 – 4th Place (all remaining applicants)
National Level – 500 four-year scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 per year to the highest-rated applicants in the 2010 competition.

The competition is made available to;
~Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply
  (College students are not eligible to apply).

~Applicants, even if they are not related to a member of the Elks.

~Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are signed;   resident alien status does not qualify.

~Male and female students compete separately.

Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need.  All scholarships are in the form ofcertificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.

National finalists will be notified by email on February 1, 2010. To be eligible for an award, national finalists will be required to submit an addendum to the original application online (which will include an essay), aid received to date and college plans. The national finalists will also be required to mail their Student Aid Report to the ENF. These applications are due March 1, 2010.

All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.

If you have any questions, please contact our Gateway Lodge Scholarship Committee Chairperson at for more information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Where do I get information about filling out the application?
A:First read the Instructions and Guidelines, which are also included as the first three pages of the application. These pages explain the application,the process and where to get further information.
You can also get information from the ENF web site, www.elks.org/ENF/Scholars/default.cfm.
If your question is not answered, contract the committee chair either by email or phone.

Q:How do I know if I should give my application to the Gateway Elks Lodge?
A:You should turn in your application to the closest Elks Lodge from where you live. Generally, if you live within the boundaries of Marshall, Parkrose, David Douglas, Madison, Portland Christian, Columbia Christian, City Christian and sometimes Reynolds (if you live in the western part of the district you may be closer to Gateway Elks) School Districts, you should turn your application into the Gateway Elks.  Don’t necessarily rely on the lodge finder mentioned in the application.  Even i f you have a 972__ zip code and are closer to Portland or Gresham Lodge, you may still be within the jurisdiction of Gateway Lodge for this program.  If you reside outside of these districts you should check to find your closest lodge.  If in doubt contact the Scholarship Committee Chairperson.

Q:What if I don’t have my seventh semester grades?
A: If your school cannot provide seven semesters of grades then provide what it has available.  If you are selected to be judged at the District level the grades are usually available at that time.

Q: What is the School Profile mentioned in the application?
A: A School Profile is a document produced by a High School.  It describes the type of school (urban, suburban, rural), number of students in grades, percentage going to college, AP courses offered (yes or no) and, if yes, in which subjects.  It also contains all kinds of statistical information about test scores.  The purpose is to help the college admissions officers or financial and scholarship aid officers to evaluate students.  For example, a student with high tested ability, who has not taken advantage of AP courses that are offered, might be viewed as a student who might be more concerned about getting an A in a less demanding course than in acquiring knowledge.  Without a school profile describing the school's AP offerings, it is difficult to make that kind of distinction.  If a school does not have a School Profile, then it can just submit the School Report.  If it feel’s that additional information is necessary, it can also include a write-up of information on the items that are covered in a School Profile.

Q: Should the application be typed?
A: It is best to type the application, though not necessary.  One of the scoring criteria is appearance.  A typed application has a better appearance.

Q: What are the next steps after I turn in the application?
A: The applications are scored according to Elks National Foundation (ENF) guidelines. The Gateway Scholarship Committee will pick several candidates to interview for the Gateway Scholarship.  The committee will then interview the selected candidates.  Our local ENF winners will be notified.  The first place male and female applications will be judged at the District competition.  The first place male and female applications from District will automatically be sent to the ENF for judging.  This gives you the chance to win the four year, $60,000 scholarship.  There will also be judging on the State level for the first place District winners.  There will be additional scholarship monies available for those that place in the District competition and at the State level.  Sometime in April we will ask our scholarship winners and their parents to attend a Lodge meeting to be introduced to the members.

Q: How is the application scored?
A: The application is scored as follows
   Scholarship = 450 points,
   Leadership = 350 points,
   Financial Need = 195 points and
   Exhibits =5 points.

Q: Will I be interviewed?
A: At this time we will not be interviewing candidates. You will be judged on the application.

Q: How late can I turn in my application on the last day?
A: If you are submitting your application on the last day, it is recommended that you deliver the application to the Lodge Secretary’s office at 711 NE 100th Ave, Portland, OR 97220 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. After 5:00pm the application may be left with one of our staff in our Lounge who will mark the time/ date they received it.  Any applications received before midnight (according to our clock) on the due date will qualify.  Those received after midnight on the due date will be disqualified.
Please note that our clock runs fast!