Due January 15, 2027

Starting December 1, register online to confirm your basic eligibility, including your household financial information and GPA. You will also provide contact details for your recommending teacher and character reference. Once you register and are confirmed as eligible, you will receive an email with your applicant ID and a link to the Round 1 application, which opens January 1.

Before you register, take a moment to review the eligibility requirements below and the application questions linked in Step 2. LOC Scholars selects a small number of recipients each year. We want you to go into this process with a clear picture of what we are looking for and a genuine commitment to putting your best effort forward.

Give your recommending teacher and character reference a heads up as soon as you register so they have enough time to write thoughtful recommendations on your behalf.

Due February 1

Each year, LOC Scholars receives applications from exceptional students and only a select number of applicants are selected as Scholars. Every part of your application matters.

We are looking for students who excel academically and embody personal qualities that matter in college and beyond. Through your application, we want to understand who you are. We are genuinely interested in your story, your choices, and what drives you. No single essay, activity, or recommendation can capture that on its own. Instead, we look at the whole picture: your resilience, your passions, your growth, and the values you live by. The best approach is to be yourself and let your authentic voice shine.

Click here to view the application questions, required documents, and essay prompts ahead of time so you can prepare. Starting January 1, log in with your applicant ID and link from your registration email to complete the application. Round 1 includes your full academic profile, extracurricular and leadership experience, and three essay questions. Be sure to submit by February 1, and double-check that both your teacher and character reference have submitted their recommendations and that your college counselor has submitted your academic transcript.

Interviews held February 27 – March 20, 2027

Semi-finalists are contacted on February 26 and invited to schedule an interview with members of our selection committee.

The interview is a conversation, not a test. It is your opportunity to bring your application to life and let us see how you think, what excites you, and who you are beyond the page. Come prepared to speak to your experiences, your thinking, and why LOC Scholars is the right fit for you. Interviews are held between February 27 and March 20, 2027.

Due May 7, 2027

Finalists are announced on April 12, 2027. Being selected as a finalist means you are among the strongest candidates in the pool. This step gives us one final, fuller picture of who you are.

You will create a short video (under 3 minutes) to introduce yourself and respond to a prompt, which will be shared by email in April. This is not about polish or production value. It is another chance for us to see how you think, what excites you, and what makes you unique. Be specific, be yourself, and do not worry about being perfect. Videos can be uploaded directly or shared through a URL link.

You will also submit your standardized test scores through the online form if you have them. If you have not yet taken standardized tests or do not have scores available, that will not count against you. We will simply weigh your other materials more heavily.

Submit your video and test scores by May 7, 2027.

By June 1, 2027

All semi-finalists will receive an email letting them know their selection status by June 1.