The Independent Order of Vikings runs a competitive annual Grand Lodge scholarship program to benefit current, active Viking members who are seniors in high school and pursuing higher education.

The Viking Scholarship Fund was established on June 14, 1963 at the Grand Lodge Meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts. A Scholarship Committee of at least three (3) members shall be appointed by the Grand Chief and Vice Grand Chief to manage the Viking Scholarship Fund and to award yearly scholarships of not less than $250.00.

The Viking Scholarship Fund consists of monies received from fund raising events, donations or bequeaths from members, IOV lodges, friends of Vikings and accumulated interest on investments.

An independent review panel of current and former educators adjudicates the awards. The value of the annual (non-renewable) scholarship is determined annually by the Executive Council, as is the number of scholarships to be awarded. The current award is $1,750.00. Funds may be applied to any education-related expense.

2025 Grand Lodge Scholarships – Online Application Process

As part of our partnership with GBU, IOV is moving the Grand Lodge Scholarship process online!  More detailed instructions are available in the GBU website (see below), but every aspect of the process will now be electronic. Please take some time to register and review the online application EARLY, so you don’t get stuck in a time crunch later.

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

December 1, 2024 – Application opens

February 15, 2025 – Lodge Certification and School Recommendation Forms due (online)

 March 1, 2024 – Application closes

NOTE: ALL supporting documentation must be received for an application to be accepted. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor.

ELIGIBILITY:

The applicant must be a:

• Current, active Viking member in good standing (dues paid through end of the award year)
• Senior in high school and pursuing higher education

TO APPLY (full instructions available in scholarship website):

1. Register at https://gbufoundation.awardspring.com/

NOTE: Registration code is IOV2025 (no space)

• Select GBU 5000 – IOV Grand Lodge Scholarship

• Start your application and complete your essay

NOTE: The essay question has changed.  It is now, “How has your Viking experience prepared you to be successful in college?”

• Provide name and email for the lodge certification to go to your lodge’s financial secretary (the system allows you to provide a personal note)

• Provide name and email for your principal or counselor for the school recommendation (the system allows you to provide a personal note)

NOTE: the student should notify anyone for whom they are providing an email address that a scholarship document (lodge certification or reference) is coming, so they can keep an eye on their Inbox.

• When all materials have been received for your application, you will need to go into the system again to click SUBMIT. You will receive a confirmation from the system when the application is received.

NOTE: If you do not click SUBMIT, your application will not be received by the system and will not be reviewed for scholarship consideration.

If you have any questions or problems with the scholarship application or online process, contact gbufoundation@gbu.org or call 1-800-765-4428.