Navigating American Legion Scholarships: Eligibility and Opportunities

The American Legion and its Auxiliary offer a multitude of scholarship programs designed to support students pursuing higher education. These scholarships recognize academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. These programs exist at the local, state, and national levels.

Scholarship Programs Overview

The American Legion family provides college or advanced education scholarships in various forms for our community and our veterans. These scholarships are available through several programs, each with specific eligibility requirements and application processes. The scholarships support academic achievement, leadership, and military-connected families.

Oratorical Contest

The Oratorical Contest scholarship program begins in December each year, with competitions starting in January. High school students compete by delivering orations on aspects of the U.S. Constitution. This program fosters civic engagement and understanding of governmental processes.

Boys State and Girls State

American Legion posts and Auxiliary units select high school juniors to participate in Boys State and Girls State programs. These participatory programs allow students to engage with the operation of local, county, and state government. Participants learn about the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of citizens within a franchised society. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county, and state governments.

Local Scholarship Examples

Several local American Legion posts and Auxiliary units offer scholarships to students in their communities. These scholarships often have specific eligibility criteria based on residency, academic achievement, and community involvement.

Damascus American Legion Post 171 Scholarship

The Damascus American Legion Post 171 in Damascus, Maryland, announces its scholarship program for the school year. Applicants are evaluated on:

Scholastic achievement
Leadership
Character
Citizenship
School and community activities
Work experience
The content and quality of their essay

Damascus American Legion Auxiliary Unit 171 Scholarship

The Damascus American Legion Auxiliary Unit 171 offers scholarships for female students pursuing higher education. Applicants are judged on:

Scholastic achievement
Leadership
Character
Work experience
Their submitted essay
School and community activities

The scholarships offered include:

High School Seniors General Scholarship Program: Two scholarships of \$1,000 each for female high school seniors.
Medical Career Program: One scholarship of \$1,000 for females in the medical career field.

Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship to support the children of veterans. Fifteen scholarships of \$5,000 each are awarded annually to students who demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement.

Eligibility and Rules

Candidates must be direct descendants of veterans who served during eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941. Membership in The American Legion Family is not required.
Applicants must be in their senior year of high school.
The scholarship is for attendance at an accredited institution of higher education.
Applicants must complete 50 hours of volunteer service within the community during their high school years, verified in writing by the recipient organization(s).
Essay answers must have a minimum of 600 characters in length. All essays will be reviewed using AI tools to help ensure originality. Applicants that rely heavily on AI will be disqualified.
Completed applications are due on or before March 1.

Judging Criteria

30% - Character/Leadership
30% - Essay/Application
40% - Academic Achievement

The decision of the judges is final.

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Required Attachments

Veteran Proof of Service: A copy of the veteran's discharge papers or active-duty service members' most recent set of orders.
Transcripts: Photocopy of the applicant's most recent high school grades.
Verified documentation of 50 hours of voluntary service during high school years. Screenshots, lists, or summaries are not acceptable.
Two letters of recommendation: One from an educator or spiritual advisor familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and the other from a person of the applicant’s choosing attesting to the applicant's character. Letters of recommendation from family members will not be accepted.
Essay answering the question: As a descendant of a veteran, what lessons did you learn from your family’s military service? How has that impacted your life and how do you hope to honor that legacy as you make plans for your own future?

Disbursement of Funds

The award is paid directly to the school for the first semester upon notification from the school that the student has registered. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters must receive certification of enrollment within 12 months of the winning recipient’s notification, or the scholarship will be forfeited. The scholarship must be used within 24 months of the date the winner receives notification from National Headquarters, or the scholarship will be forfeited.

American Legion Legacy Scholarship

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is for children of a parent who lost their lives while honorably serving on active military duty on or after September 11, or children of a post-9/11 veteran with a combined Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating of 50% or higher. The scholarship is awarded for undergraduate study, graduate study, and trade schools at an accredited institution of higher education.

Eligibility

Children of a parent who lost their lives while honorably serving on active military duty on or after 9/11.
Children of a post-9/11 veteran with a combined Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating of 50% or higher.

Award Details

Up to \$20,000 for children of the fallen.
Up to \$5,000 for children of the disabled.

The Legacy Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship designed to fulfill a financial gap remaining after all federal and state educational grants/scholarships to an eligible applicant have been utilized. The tuition is capped at a certain amount, which is the maximum amount the VA will pay out per academic year. Eligible applicants can apply online. Recipients have a year to use the grant and may reapply up to six times.

Selection Process

The 2026 American Legion Legacy Scholarship recipients will be selected by The American Legion’s Committee on Youth Education during the organization’s annual Spring Meetings in May.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

The American Legion offers a variety of other scholarships that support academic achievement, leadership, and military-connected families.

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Samsung American Legion Scholarship

Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of \$5 million to be administered by The American Legion. The Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount.

Scholarship applications are limited to students between their junior and senior years of high school who attend the current session of either an American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program and are a direct descendant of a military veteran who served on active duty during at least one of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for American Legion membership.
Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War Era Veterans receive bonus points.
Applicants who upload a copy of a current membership to the American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion will receive a bonus point or may receive a bonus point by uploading a current membership card of a parent in The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion.

American Legion Baseball Scholarship

The American Legion awards scholarships to deserving baseball players each year. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from its department to receive this scholarship.

Attach a copy of his official high school transcript.
Have graduated from high school.
Be on a current roster filed with National Headquarters.
Be part of a team affiliated with an American Legion post.

Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship

The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year will receive a scholarship. Nomination packets must be received by each applicant’s respective American Legion department (state) headquarters.

Americanism Essay Contest

Each year the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors an Americanism Essay Contest for students in grades 3 to 12.

Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

The Non-Traditional Student Scholarship awards a certain amount annually.

Character/Leadership
Initiative/Goals
Financial Need
Academic Achievement

The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.

State-Specific Scholarships

The American Legion offers scholarships throughout various states, with specific requirements based on residency and university attendance.

Alabama Scholarships

The American Legion offers scholarships throughout the state of Alabama.

Students must be legal residents of Alabama.
Person applying for scholarship must be a descendant of a veteran that served their country during times of war.
You must be attending a University that we have a scholarship at.

Examples of University Scholarship Listings:

Athens College: Resident of Limestone County
Auburn University: Resident of Russell, Lee, or Chambers County
Bevill State Comm. College: Resident of Alabama
Calhoun Comm. College: Resident of Alabama
Chattahoochee Valley State College: Resident of Alabama
Jefferson State University: Resident of Alabama
Jacksonville State University: Resident of Alabama
Alabama Southern Comm. College: Resident of Alabama
Shelton State Comm. College: Resident of Alabama
Wallace Comm. College-Selma: Resident of Alabama
Southern Union Jr.

Key Considerations for Applicants

Eligibility: Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to ensure you meet the requirements.
Application Materials: Gather all necessary documents, including transcripts, proof of service, letters of recommendation, and essays.
Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit your materials on time.
Essay Quality: Craft a thoughtful and well-written essay that addresses the prompt and showcases your character, leadership, and goals.
Volunteer Service: If required, document your volunteer hours and obtain verification from the recipient organization(s).

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