Unlocking Educational Opportunities: A Guide to VFW Scholarships

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and its Auxiliary offer a multitude of scholarship programs aimed at supporting students of all ages, from elementary school to higher education. These scholarships are designed to promote patriotism, reward academic excellence, and ease the financial burdens of education for veterans, service members, and their families. The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation.

Voice of Democracy Scholarship: Amplifying Patriotic Voices

Established in 1947, the 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. Students interested in participating must submit their audio essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. Find your sponsoring local VFW Post as essays must be turned in by midnight, Oct.

Eligibility and Awards:

This contest is open to high school students.
The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 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-$21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000.
The first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) also wins an all-expense-paid trip Valley Forge.

Patriot's Pen Youth Essay Contest: Nurturing Young Minds

Each year, more than 60,600 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen® annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Students interested in participating must submit their essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. Find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct.

Contest Details:

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society.
Students draft a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.
Evelyn Newbigging, an eighth grade student from Lancaster, South Carolina, was named the 2024-2025 Patriot's Pen first place winner. Her essay on the theme, "My Voice in America's Democracy?" won the national first place $5,000 award.

Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship: Supporting Veterans' Educational Goals

The VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship" provides service members and veterans with the financial assistance they need to complete their educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt. Nothing should stand in the way of veterans pursuing their education, especially worrying about financial burdens. That’s why the VFW Foundation, in partnership with Student Veterans of America and Sport Clips Haircuts, offers the “Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship” program. The “Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship” program is designed to assist service members and veterans with scholarships of up to $5,000. These funds help cover tuition and fees, easing the financial strain on military families. This scholarship is another way for us to express our gratitude to those who have fought for our freedoms. Like all scholarships, there is no repayment. If you are a veteran seeking financial assistance to further your education, the “Sport Clips Help a Hero Scholarship” program is here to help. Please review the eligibility criteria below to see if you qualify for a scholarship.

Key Details:

Scholarships of up to $5,000 are awarded to cover tuition and fees.
Applications for the fall semester will be accepted Jan.
Applications for the spring semester will be accepted Aug. 1 through Nov.
Sport Clips Haircuts is a dedicated supporter of the program.

Student Veteran Support Grant: Strengthening Campus Communities

The VFW recognizes that both funding and support for our student veterans and dependents at institutions of higher learning, can often be difficult to find. The VFW's Student Veteran Support Grant offers much needed assistance to support specific student veteran events. The grant, administered by the VFW Washington Office, focuses on supporting the overall student veteran population within the community, which consists of many student veterans at campuses across the country that are not affiliated with an SVA chapter.

Grant Focus:

Supporting the overall student veteran population within the community.
Assisting student veterans at campuses across the country that are not affiliated with an SVA chapter.

VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship: Shaping Future Veteran Leaders

We have been advocating on behalf of veterans, service members and their families for more than a century, and we want to share our experience with a new generation of veteran leaders. The VFW-SVA Legislative Fellowship grants exemplary student veterans (Fellows) the chance to join the VFW legislative team on Capitol Hill during the VFW Legislative Conference hosted in early spring each year.

Fellowship Highlights:

Opportunity to join the VFW legislative team on Capitol Hill.
Participation in the VFW Legislative Conference.

VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest: Showcasing Artistic Talent

The VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest encourages students’ artistic abilities and rewards their hard work. Please promote this contest in your area. The 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest promotes patriotism while recognizing young artists in grades 9 -12.

Contest Divisions:

The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8.

Eligibility and Submission Guidelines for Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest:

The contest is open to students in grades 9-12.
Students must be enrolled in a public, private, parochial, or home school program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or attending overseas schools for military or civilian personnel.
Applicants attending a GED or adult education program are ineligible.
U.S. citizenship is required at the earliest opportunity allowed by law.

Artwork Requirements:

Two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper.
Media choice is open.
Two-dimensional art cannot be more than 18" x 24", not including mat.
Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.
Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board.
Mounted and floating mats may also be used.
Do not use color mats. paper.
Art cannot be more than 5 lbs.
Complete entry form and attach to back of entry.
Complete entry form and submit with entry.

Submission Process:

March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW Auxiliary.
Forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters.
Patriotic Art Info.
for judging.
Headquarters.

Additional Resources

VFW Store: vfwstore.org or 1-833-VFW-VETS

Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details

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