The cost of college is formidable, preventing many deserving students from attending at all and leaving many others to graduate with an overwhelming amount of debt. Last year, the average tuition at a private four-year institution rose 5.9 percent, reaching $25,143, and the average cost of attending a public four-year university increased 6.4 percent. The Elks National Foundation’s Most Valuable Student Scholarship contest, which launched on Sept. 1, aims to alleviate this financial burden for 500 ambitious students.

This year, through the MVS Scholarship, the Elks National Foundation will award $2.296 million, giving students a chance to earn a college education without incurring insurmountable loans. The Foundation awards 18 top winners scholarships ranging from $8,000 to $60,000 over four years. The remaining 482 runners-up receive $4,000 scholarships over four years.

Emily Phillips received the award in 2004, helping her to attend Yale University. After graduating in 2008, she has remained in New Haven, Conn., and will be attending a Masters in Teaching program in the fall of 2010.

Elizabeth Phillips received the award in 2009 and is using it to attend MIT, where she is a member of the MIT riflery team and the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She will be completing her freshmen year this spring.

Emily and Elizabeth Phillips are the granddaughters of Guy and Carol McGiboney of Covington. Guy McGiboney is a member of the Covington Lodge #1806, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

This scholarship is available to all high school seniors who are United States citizens. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Males and females compete separately and are judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Completed applications must be turned in to the applicant’s nearest Elks Lodge, no later than November 2, 2009. National finalists will be required to submit a secondary application. The 500 national winners will be announced by April 1, 2010.

Applications for the 2010 contest are available at Elks Lodges, local high schools, and for download at www.elks.org/enf/scholars.

For complete Most Valuable Student scholarship contest details, visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars.