Youth Scholarships
The District is here to support our clubs with Scholarship information, how you submit winners, and guidance to help you achieve a student's educational aspirations
The California/Nevada District and Foundation generously provides scholarships to all 26 clubs in our district. This support is designed to help students from diverse educational environments achieve their academic and career goals. By offering these scholarships, The Exchange aims to foster educational opportunities and empower students across our district community. Our commitment underscores the value of investing in the future of local youth. More information can be found at the National Exchange Club Member website by clicking here.
A.C.E. (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) of the Year honors students who have overcome adversity to graduate from high school and move their lives in positive directions. These students are often overlooked for their accomplishments and can serve as powerful examples to all students that hard work and perseverance do pay off.
Youth of the Year honors outstanding students who have exhibited excellence in academics and leadership. Recipients serve as role models to their peers by exhibiting exceptional scholastic achievement, respect for self and others, and ambitious career goals.
Student winners for club scholarship for the year will qualify for the district competition, and district officers can submit up to two district winners who are eligible to be recognized at the National level, which awards a $15,000 scholarship to each student winning one of the three awards. In total, The National Exchange Club has awarded over a million dollars to scholarship recipients.
Timeline
September-December| Provide program packet and nomination form to high school counselors.
January | Clubs send an email reminder to the counselors on your submission deadline.
February 1 | Club sends an email reminder to the counselors on the upcoming submission deadline.
March 14 | All Applications either PDF or via electronic form must have been submitted to the Club for consideration. Please review the information regarding the sponsor.
April 1st | Clubs to forward winning submissions to the District Youth of the Year Chair for District Competition. Please submit two individuals from each school.
April 17 | District winners announced.
April/May | The clubs should plan a special recognition for your honorees, inviting their families.
May | District winners are honored at the annual District Convention.
June 1st | District winners submitted by District Chairperson to the National Exchange Club for consideration.
July 8-12, 2026 | The National winner is honored at the National Convention and awarded $15,000.
Local/District/National Scholarship Competition
Youth of the year award
The Exchange Club’s Youth of the Year program is a Local, District and National Competition. Students who win at the Local Club level go on to compete at the District Level (award $2,500) and possibly at the National Level (award $15,000).
This prestigious youth award is not just a scholastic award. The of the Year winner is proven to be most well-rounded individual who is not only a good student, but an involved student. Aside from points earned for non-weighted GPA, points are also scored for participation in school and community organizations
Local/District/National Scholarship Competition
A.C.E. award
The Accepting the Challenge of Excellence award, or A.C.E. award, recognizes high school students who have made a dramatic change in their attitude and performance sometime during their high school years and now will graduate from high school.
These at risk students have often overcome significant physical, emotional, or social obstacles, yet few receive recognition.
Past Winners
