College can offer life-changing experiences to those who choose to go that route.
It’s also crazy expensive.
That’s why the National Eagle Scout Association grants scholarships each year to Eagle Scouts who choose to continue their educational journey in college.
“NESA scholarships aim to ease some of the financial burden of education and provide a platform for you to amplify your impact on the world,” says David Ehrlich, NESA vice president of finance and scholarships. “It’s not just about what you can achieve; it’s about the positive change you can bring to your community and beyond.”
The NESA scholarship application portal opens Dec. 1, 2024, and runs through Jan. 31, 2025.
Scholarships are awarded to Eagle Scouts who have shown active participation in school, Scouting activities and community service and who demonstrate they understand the fundamentals of service to community and service to Scouting.
NESA scholarship recipients must:
NESA scholarships are not available to graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree, nor are they available to students attending any of the U.S. military academies.
For now, simply bookmark this page.
On Dec. 1, 2024, you will see a “Click here to apply” button that will take you to the NESA scholarship portal. Applications will be accepted only via the portal.
It is.
Click here to learn more about that.
Lots.
In 2024, NESA awarded scholarships to 69 Eagle Scouts.
Here are just a few of them:
Kamen was drawn to UNC Charlotte because of its acclaimed business honors program. If it weren’t for her NESA scholarship, it never would have happened.
“I would not have been able to attend an out-of-state college,” she says. “I’m able to be a part of the business honors program, and I have the option to study abroad. All of that would not be in the picture if it wasn’t for this scholarship.”
Kamen says she wants to pursue a career in fundraising after college. She hopes other Eagle Scouts realize that earning Scouting America’s highest rank is not their final destination.
“Being an Eagle Scout is only the beginning of your journey,” she says. “I truly wish for all who earn this honor to become a mentor and stay in Scouting.”
Carlson says his NESA scholarship has allowed him to focus on things that are really important instead of stressing about how he will pay for it all.
“It has helped me with my education and career goals by allowing me not to worry about how I will fund my education but rather focus on future learning and success,” he says.
Carlson says he wants to continue to challenge himself in the future, just as he did during his journey to Eagle Scout.
“My dream would be to work for a company that provides products for outdoor adventures,” he says. “I would like to make an impact in improving existing products or developing new products. And I plan to continue to be a leader in Scouting to help support the organization for future Scouts and, ultimately, our future leaders.”
Lariviere has used his NESA scholarship to offset many college living expenses that he otherwise would have had to pay out of pocket.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the NESA scholarship and the doors it has opened for me,” he says. “This support has allowed me to fully immerse myself in the college experience — taking risks, exploring new extracurricular opportunities and growing as a student at such a remarkable institution.”
Lariviere says he plans to pursue a career in health care, though he hasn’t yet chosen a specific path within that field.
“I’ve become very interested in the intersection of where medicine, engineered technology and public health policy meet,” he says. “From the AI modeling of novel drug treatments to the genetic transformation of CRISPR to surgical robotic assistance, we’re on the precipice of new scientific potential and innovation that can change the world for the better.”
Crawford says his NESA scholarship has helped make possible every college graduate’s dream: to leave college with no debt.
“This scholarship has improved my college experience to a great degree,” he says. “It has greatly eased my mind.”
Crawford said he wants to become a broadcast journalist.
“Scouting is a great program, and I would recommend it to everyone,” he says. “For those who push on to reach Eagle Scout, always keep working toward another goal.”
Click here for more information on the NESA scholarships available for 2024-25.
Top photo by Getty Images. Other photos courtesy of the students.
Contribute to the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarship Fund. Donations to this fund go directly to providing scholarships to deserving Eagle Scouts, allowing them to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
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