Asking for an Extension

9.0.4.0. It becomes clear the requirements cannot be finished before 18 Milestone

The Scout foresees that, through no fault or choice of their own, it will be impossible to complete the Eagle Scout rank requirements before the 18th birthday.

9.0.4.0. You must already have earned Life Often forgotten Requirement

Extensions are reserved for Life Scouts working on Eagle. A Scout who does not earn Life before the 18th birthday is not eligible for an extension and not eligible to appeal a refusal. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Scouts who do not earn Life before their 18th birthday are not eligible for a time extension, and appeals against denial are only available to Life Scouts working on Eagle requirements. The Guide states in terms that there are no exceptions to this policy.

9.0.4.0. A disability is usually the wrong reason to ask Optional Decision

Scouts are expected to overcome life's ordinary trials, and a known need coped with for years should not suddenly become an issue near the 18th birthday. Where a disability significantly slows progress in general, registration beyond the age of eligibility is the better answer: it allows work on any rank rather than only Eagle.

Nearly all barriers to advancement can be cleared by routine accommodations, or by approved modifications of rank requirements and alternative merit badges under Section 10. A Scout registered beyond the age of eligibility does not need an extension at all.

9.0.4.1. Submit before the 18th birthday if you possibly can Recommended Often forgotten Task

Council-granted extensions expire no more than six months after the birthday however late the request arrives, so a late request buys less time than an early one.

9.0.4.1. Denied Optional Milestone

There are exactly two grounds: that an extension is not warranted under the three tests, or that a Scout who meets the three tests needs more than six months, which a council has no power to grant.

9.0.4.0. Keep working on the requirements while it is decided Often forgotten Task

A request being open is not a reason to pause. The Guide says so twice, once under the tests and again under the process, because the clock does not stop for the paperwork.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.0. It becomes clear the requirements cannot be finished before 18.

Requests should be submitted before the Scout turns 18 where possible, and work should continue throughout the request process. A council-granted extension expires no more than six months after the 18th birthday whatever date the request was filed.

9.0.4.0. Test 1: there was time to finish when the Scout joined or came back Decision

The member joined, rejoined, became active again after a period of inactivity, or became refocused on advancement after a period of inattention, in time to complete all the requirements before turning 18.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.0. It becomes clear the requirements cannot be finished before 18.

9.0.4.0. Test 2: something unforeseen, through no fault or choice of the Scout Decision

An unforeseen circumstance or life-changing event with severe consequences now prevents completion before the deadline. A hospital stay, a disabling injury, a significant personal or family incident, a natural disaster, severe unseasonable weather, or the actions of others.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.0. It becomes clear the requirements cannot be finished before 18.

9.0.4.0. Test 3: beyond the Scout's control, and not fixable in time Decision

The circumstance was beyond the Scout's control, could not have been anticipated or planned for, and was not or cannot be resolved in time to complete the requirements.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.0. It becomes clear the requirements cannot be finished before 18.

9.0.4.1. The denial letter Document

Sent to the Scout, a parent or guardian, the unit leader and whoever filed the request, with a copy in the council's unit file. It must explain the reason for the decision and how to appeal it to the National Council.

9.0.4.1. Write the request so it stands on its own Document

It must be detailed enough to be reviewed without any other information, and must explain why or how the circumstances make an extension necessary.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.0. You must already have earned Life, 9.0.4.0. Test 1: there was time to finish when the Scout joined or came back and 2 others.

9.0.4.2. Only the Scout or a parent or guardian may appeal Optional Decision

Not the unit leader, and not whoever filed the original request unless they are one of those people. Initiated by letter or email to the council staff advisor for advancement or other designated advancement administrator.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The denial letter.

Appeals against an extension denial are available only to Life Scouts working on Eagle requirements. A Scout who did not reach Life before turning 18 cannot appeal.

11.2.0.0. Request for Extension of Time Recommended Document

The nationally recommended form, in the Guide's appendix. A council's own form may be used instead as long as it carries the same information.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. Write the request so it stands on its own.

11.2.1.0. Appeal of Extension Request Denial Document

Completed by members of the council advancement committee together with the Scout executive. The council advancement committee is obliged to assist and coordinate the appeal once it has been notified.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.2. Only the Scout or a parent or guardian may appeal.

9.0.4.1. Submit it to the council service centre Task

In person, electronically or by post, for the attention of the staff advisor for advancement or another council-designated advancement administrator. The Scout, a parent or guardian, the unit leader, or a member of the unit committee may file it.

Usually comes after 11.2.0.0. Request for Extension of Time.

9.0.4.2. What goes in the packet Document

The Scout's or the family's statement of why the decision should be reversed; the completed Request for Extension of Time; an update on requirements still outstanding; every statement, interview note and other piece of information collected; the council's stated reason for denial; a copy of the denial letter; and a current Person Listing for the Scout.

Usually comes after 11.2.1.0. Appeal of Extension Request Denial.

9.0.4.1. The council investigates Task

Selected registered adults familiar with advancement interview as many people with knowledge of the case as possible, including (a thorough review would suggest) the Scout, and any adults who made errors or gave misinformation and are reasonably available.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. Submit it to the council service centre.

9.0.4.2. The Scout executive reviews and signs Approval

The Scout executive or their designee reviews the case with the form and the documentation, then signs, on paper or digitally, certifying it is complete and correct according to what is known. An electronic certification is acceptable as long as it can be verified as theirs.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.2. What goes in the packet.

9.0.4.1. The advancement committee deliberates, votes, and recommends Approval

The results of the investigation go to the council advancement committee, which reviews and discusses the case, votes on it, and recommends a decision to the Scout executive.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The council investigates.

9.0.4.2. One PDF, emailed to the National Council Task

The entire appeal packet must be combined into a single PDF and emailed to advancement.team@scouting.org.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.2. The Scout executive reviews and signs.

9.0.4.1. The Scout executive decides Approval

On the committee's recommendation. Where the Scout executive disagrees (about approval, about the length, or about denial) they are encouraged to consult the committee chair, but if no agreement is reached the Scout executive's decision stands.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The advancement committee deliberates, votes, and recommends.

9.0.4.1. Approved Optional Milestone

The extension is granted for the period the Scout executive approved, which may be shorter than the period asked for.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The Scout executive decides.

9.0.4.1. The approval letter, and the five things it must say Document

Sent to the Scout, a parent or guardian, the unit leader and whoever filed the request, with a copy in the council's unit file. It must state the expiry date, that the expiry date acts as a second 18th birthday, that the extension ends at the board of review or the expiry date whichever comes first, that the requirements must be finished before then, and that a copy of the letter must be attached to the Eagle application.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. Approved.

9.0.4.1. The expiry date becomes a second 18th birthday Often forgotten Milestone

Every requirement must be fulfilled before it. The extension expires on the date of the Eagle board of review or on the approved expiry date, whichever comes first, and no further youth advancement or awards may be earned after that.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The approval letter, and the five things it must say.

No further youth advancement or awards may be earned once the extension has expired, whether it expired on its own date or on the date of the Eagle board of review, whichever came first.

9.0.4.1. Attach the letter to the Eagle Scout Rank Application Task

A requirement written into the letter itself. Without it the council has no record on the application that the later dates were authorised.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The approval letter, and the five things it must say.

9.0.4.1. The board of review, which may come after the expiry date Milestone

The board of review and the submission of the application and other paperwork may take place after the extension has expired. The requirements themselves may not.

Usually comes after 9.0.4.1. The expiry date becomes a second 18th birthday and 9.0.4.1. Attach the letter to the Eagle Scout Rank Application.