National Catholic Committee on Scouting Scholarships

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awards thirteen scholarships totaling $36,000. Originally established as the Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Scout Scholarships, the program is now known as the NCCS Scholarship Program. Applicants complete one application to be considered for any of the scholarship awards. NCCS Scholarships are awarded to service-oriented high school seniors who are Catholic Scouts in a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) (name will change to Scouting America in February 2025) program and continuing their education in college. The requirements are listed in the Eligibility Requirements section of this page.

Since 2005, NCCS has awarded a total of $272,000 in scholarships to 118 service-oriented Scouts nationwide.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online. The application requires the following:

• Your email address along with a parent’s or guardian’s email address to save or submit the application. This will allow you and your parent/guardian to review your application and save a copy. When submitted no further changes will be allowed, and you will no longer be able to access your original application link.
• Four (4) digitally signed letters of recommendation. One letter from each of the following: Religious institution, Community, School and Scouting Unit. You will be prompted in the application about how to submit your recommendations.
• Your high school transcript.
• A recent high-resolution digital photo (headshot) of yourself in BSA uniform.
• A completed NCCS Publicity waiver.

Eligibility Requirements (All Scholarships)

• Be a practicing Catholic
• Be a full-time high school senior
• Be a registered young man or woman actively involved with a Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scout Ship
• Earned the Eagle Scout, Summit Award, or Quartermaster Award
• Earned the Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII, or Light is Life (Eastern Rite) Religious Emblem
• Provided service and leadership to your Church, community, school and Scouting

Details

• Applications are reviewed by the NCCS Scholarship Committee.
• Submitting a scholarship application is not a guarantee that a scholarship will be granted. There is no appeal, and the decision of the Scholarship Committee is final.
• Applications become the property of the Scholarship Committee. Submitted applications and supporting material will not be returned.
• Only complete applications are reviewed by the NCCS Scholarship Committee. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.
• NCCS is not responsible for lost or misdirected scholarship applications.
• The twelve (12) scholarship recipients will be selected no later than May 15th.
• Names of the winners will be listed on the NCCS website by June 1st.
• All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.
• The scholarship is intended to be used for the year awarded but may be deferred for up to two years if approved by the Scholarship Committee.
• Disbursement from the scholarship fund will be made directly to an accredited institution of higher learning at the beginning of the enrollment period.
• The scholarship may be used to defray necessary costs of the awardee’s tuition, room or board, books, and/or fees.