SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Promotes and conducts the VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship.
  • Promotes and conducts the VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.
  • Promotes and supports the VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest.
  • Promoters and supports the VFW Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest. 
 
VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship

The VFW Auxiliary is pleased to present the Continuing Education Scholarship to assist members and their immediate family members who wish to further their education by pursing a college degree or career direction at a vocational/technical school.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

·        Applicant must be 18 years of age or older.

·        Applicant must be one of the following:

·        Current VFW Auxiliary Member*

·        Spouse of current VFW Auxiliary Member*

·        Son of current VFW Auxiliary Member*

·        Daughter of current VFW Auxiliary Member*

*Qualifying member must have been a member of the VFW Auxiliary for one (1) year by the application submission deadline.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

·        Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded each year, one in each of the four VFW Auxiliary Conferences.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?
Each applicant must:

·        Answer all questions on the application.

·        Write a brief essay (no more than 300 words) describing their commitment to their goals and how this scholarship will help them attain these goals.

What are the Scholarship Deadlines?

·        July 1: Application process begins.

·        February 15: All applications must be submitted to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*

·        May 1: Scholarship recipients are notified.

* required deadlines

PATRIOTIC ART CONTEST

 

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. View the 2022-2023 state winners or all the previous first-place national winners.

Who is Eligible to Apply?  Download Application

  • Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.
  • Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
  • Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or older, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.

What is the Scholarship Amount?

  • The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $33,000.

What are the Scholarship Submission Requirements?

  • Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media taught may be used.
  • Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.
  • Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board. Other entries must be
    matted in white. Do not use color mats. Reinforce the back with heavy paper. Mounted and floating mats may also be used.
  • The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, not including mat.
  • Three dimensional art can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc.
  • Pieces should be no larger than 18” in any direction.
  • Art cannot be more than 5 lbs. in weight.
  • Digital art, photography and jewelry are NOT ACCEPTED.
  • Complete entry form and attach to back of entry.
  • Submit a typed explanation of patriotism expressed in art (250 words or less).

What are the Scholarship Contest Deadlines?

  • March 31: Student Entry Deadline to Local VFW Auxiliary.*
  • April 10:  Local VFW Auxiliary and District Judging Complete.
  • April 15:  Local VFW Auxiliary and District Winners to Department (state) for Judging.*
  • May 5:  VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*

* required deadlines

                                                         

                                              PATRIOT'S PEN

 

Each year more than 165,400 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen entry form as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31


  

                                     VOICE OF DEMOCRACY


The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy entry form as all student entries must be submitted to a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31