Scholarship Merit Badge

Five requirements: grades for a term (one of two), two of four ways to learn beyond class drawn as a multiple-choice question, the principal's note on the past year, an activity or team project (one of two), and a report (one of two). The note and the interview approvals are marked as easily forgotten.

6 steps (10 parts inside them). 10 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About Scholarship Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 4 questions at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering 4 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 6

1 step

1. Grades for one term or semester. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: a B average, or improvement over the previous period.
2 parts
- 1(a). An average grade of B or higher for a term or semester Optional May not apply
- 1(b). Improved grades over the previous period Optional May not apply

Stage 2 of 6

1 step

2. Learning beyond class. Do TWO Requirement

The badge states the choice: two of four.
4 parts
- 2(a). Visit an educational place where you live Optional May not apply
- 2(b). Interview two professionals with established careers Optional May not apply Often forgotten Get your counselor's and your parent or guardian's approval before you arrange the interviews. The two professionals must not be teachers or other professionals at your school.
- 2(c). Show your counselor how you use a daily planner Optional May not apply
- 2(d). Methods of research for school assignments Optional May not apply

Stage 3 of 6

1 step

3. A note from your principal on the past year Often forgotten Requirement

From the principal of your school, or another school official the principal names: during the past year your behavior, leadership, and service have been satisfactory.

Stage 4 of 6

1 step

4. Activity or team project. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: an extracurricular activity, or a school team project.
2 parts
- 4(a). An extracurricular school activity Optional May not apply
- 4(b). A school team project in the past semester Optional May not apply

Stage 5 of 6

1 step

5. A report of 250 to 300 words. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: the value of your education, or two careers.
2 parts
- 5(a). Report: the value of your education Optional May not apply
- 5(b). Report: two careers that interest you Optional May not apply

Stage 6 of 6

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Grades for one term or semester. Do ONE, 2. Learning beyond class. Do TWO and 3 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.