National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) Scholarships
Offered by Catholic Scouting America – National Catholic Committee on Scouting
About This Scholarship
Catholic Scouting America, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, runs a single application that puts high school seniors in the running for 15 college scholarships. The largest are the seven Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Scout Scholarships ($5,000, $4,000, $3,000, and four at $2,500), joined by the $4,000 Frank Parater Scholarship, the $3,500 Fortin Education for Service Scholarship, and a group of $2,000 family-endowed awards. Since 2005 the program has awarded $348,000 to 146 Scouts.
The program is built for Catholic Scouts who have reached the top of the program. Applicants must be practicing Catholics who have earned the Eagle Scout, Summit or Quartermaster Award and one of the Catholic religious emblems (Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII, or the Eastern Rite Light is Life). The committee also wants to see service and leadership in parish, community, school and Scouting.
The online application opens September 1 and closes at midnight on March 1. It requires two digitally signed recommendation letters, one from a religious leader or institution and one from a community, school or Scouting reference. Winners are chosen by May 15, and funds go directly to the student's college. Past recipients can later compete for the separate $2,000 St. Katharine Drexel Continuing Education Scholarship.
Eligibility
- Practicing Catholic
- Full-time high school senior
- Registered and active in a Scouts BSA troop, Venturing crew or Sea Scout ship
- Earned the Eagle Scout, Summit or Quartermaster Award
- Earned the Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII or Light is Life (Eastern Rite) religious emblem
- Record of service and leadership to church, community, school and Scouting
How To Apply
- Confirm you hold your top Scouting rank and a qualifying Catholic religious emblem
- Open the NCCS Scholarship Application on the college scholarships page (available from September 1)
- Arrange two digitally signed recommendation letters: one from a religious institution, and one from your community, school or Scouting unit (the application explains how they are submitted)
- Submit the complete online application by midnight on March 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I apply separately for each scholarship?
No. One NCCS application puts you in consideration for all 15 high school senior scholarships.
How large are the awards?
The Emmett J. Doerr scholarships pay $5,000, $4,000, $3,000 and four at $2,500. Other awards include the $4,000 Frank Parater, $3,500 Fortin, and several $2,000 scholarships.
Can Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts apply?
The program requires the Eagle Scout, Summit (Venturing) or Quartermaster (Sea Scouts) Award plus a Catholic religious emblem, so applicants must come from those Scouting America programs.