National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarships

NESA offers a portfolio of scholarships — ranging from a one-year $5,000 award up to a four-year $50,000 award — exclusively to Eagle Scouts who are NESA members. For 2026-2027, the tiers are: one 4-year/$50,000 award; four 4-year/$30,000 awards (both Cooke Scholarship); and, once per each of 14 Council Service Territories, one-year awards of $10,000 (Cooke), $7,000 (Hansen), $6,000 (NESA Endowment), and $6,000 (combined McElwain/Palmer/Legacy Society category), plus one $5,000 Tappan Scholarship — 62 awards total. Funds are paid directly to the recipient's accredited college or skilled-trade program, and multi-year awards continue on proof of continued full-time enrollment rather than a full reapplication.

Eligibility

DemographicsRestricted to Eagle Scouts who are current NESA members; not available to students attending U.S. military academies or to graduate students; maximum one NESA scholarship per recipient in a lifetime. Financial need is considered for some (not all) award tiers; no GPA minimum is published.

Applying

2026-2027 tiers: one 4-year/$50,000 award; four 4-year/$30,000 awards; 14 one-year $10,000 awards; 14 one-year $7,000 awards; 14 one-year $6,000 awards; 14 one-year $6,000 awards (combined category); one $5,000 Tappan award. 62 awards total.