Unlocking the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scout of the Year Scholarship is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding young men and women who have demonstrated exceptional citizenship, patriotism, and a deep love for their country through their involvement in Scouting. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the scholarship, outlining eligibility requirements, application procedures, judging criteria, and other important details. If you are a Scout who has achieved the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Silver Award, Venture Summit Award, or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award, this scholarship could be a valuable opportunity to further your education.

Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a registered, active member of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scout Ship.
Have received the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Silver Award, Venture Summit Award, or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award.
Be enrolled in high school at the time of selection.
Applicants still in high school who reach their 18th birthday during the nomination year remain eligible if otherwise qualified.
A Scout may enter through only one VFW Post.

There is no minimum age requirement for applicants as long as all other eligibility criteria has been met.

How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

To apply for the VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship, follow these steps:

Obtain the Application Form: Candidate entry forms are available from your Department Scouting Team member or by calling 816-756-3390, ext.220. Please be sure to use only this form when applying. Any other form or format will not be accepted into the competition.

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Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form accurately and completely.
Gather Required Documents: Prepare the following documents to submit along with the application form:
- Photograph: A photograph of the Scout in complete correct uniform for their current rank must be attached to this form.
- High School Participation Record (Section A): Submit a resume of your high school activities (grades 9-12) including an indication of academic achievement, offices held, honors received, and a one sentence statement of the significance of your participation in each activity.
- Entire Scouting Record (Section B): List your complete scouting record to include years of participation, unit numbers and sponsors. Also include when Eagle, Gold, Silver or Quartermaster Award was received and Palms. Include any leadership positions held at all levels; list other Scouting activities you have participated in such as Jamborees, Order of the Arrow Conferences, etc…and succinctly describe your Eagle, Gold, Silver, Venture, or Quartermaster Project.
- Community Service Record (Section C): Use one page to list community service and religious organizations in which you have participated outside of high school and Scouting and the activities that you were involved with as a part of these organizations. Note any leadership positions held and any accolades received.
- Letters of Recommendation (Section D): A maximum of five letters, two pages each max. will be judged. The five letters must include one each from a school, community and a Scout leader. Two additional letters are allowed from other individuals within your community who may have a special knowledge of your abilities and/or accomplishments. The screening committee will only consider five (5) letters at most. The five letters must include one each from a school, community and a Scout leader.
Submit the Application: MUST SUBMIT APPLICATION DIRECTLY TO A VFW POST IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Scouts should download and submit a completed VFW Scouting Scholarship form, resume of high school activities, scouting record, community service record and letters of recommendation to a local VFW Post no later than March 1.

The Selection Process: How the Contest Works

The VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship selection process involves multiple levels of review:

Local VFW Post: Local VFW Posts select one winner from the entries received. All applications must be submitted to a VFW Post for initial consideration.
VFW Department (State): Posts then submit their local winner to their respective VFW Department (state) by April 1. The VFW Post will then submit to the Department for consideration as the Department winner. Ensure that if a District judging is taking place that entries are forwarded to the District first and that enough time is allotted to ensure that the Department still receives the entry by April 1.
National Level: The VFW National organization then selects the national winners from the Department-level submissions.

Key Dates and Deadlines

March 1: Deadline for Scouts to submit applications to a local VFW Post.
April 1: Deadline for local VFW Posts to submit their winning candidates to their respective VFW Department (state).

Judging Criteria: What Makes a Winning Application?

The screening committee will carefully review the letters submitted. The selection committee evaluates applications based on the following criteria:

Scouting Record: The applicant's entire scouting record, including years of participation, unit numbers and sponsors.
Leadership Positions: Leadership positions held at all levels.
Scouting Activities: Other Scouting activities you have participated in such as Jamborees, Order of the Arrow Conferences, etc…
Eagle Scout Project/Gold Award Project/Silver Award Project/Quartermaster Project: A succinct description of your Eagle, Gold, Silver, Venture, or Quartermaster Project.
High School Activities: A resume of your high school activities (grades 9-12) including an indication of academic achievement, offices held, honors received, and a one sentence statement of the significance of your participation in each activity.
Community Service: Community service and religious organizations in which you have participated outside of high school and Scouting and the activities that you were involved with as a part of these organizations.
Letters of Recommendation: The five letters must include one each from a school, community and a Scout leader.

The VFW National Scouting Team

The backbone of Scouting in the VFW is the VFW National Scouting Team. Appointed by their Department Commander, they are responsible for promoting Scouting in their state. They are available to encourage Posts to sponsor units, support units and individual Scout projects. They should be the Department’s “expert” on all phases of Scouting. Many Departments have multiple members of the VFW National Scouting Team but every Department should have at least one individual to promote the values of Scouting to youth and to the VFW itself.

Scholarship Awards

The VFW Scout of the Year Scholarship awards scholarships to the top three national winners:

$1,000 3rd place scholarship.

Important Considerations

Accuracy and Completeness: Ensure that all information provided in the application is accurate and complete.
Following Instructions: Please follow the procedures and requirements as written, to ensure that your application is reviewed and processed as quickly and accurately as possible.
Presentation: Present your achievements and experiences in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.
Uniform: A photograph of the Scout In complete correct uniform for their current rank must be attached to this form.

Authorization and Certification

The application form includes sections for authorization and certification, which must be completed by the Scout/Venture applicant, their unit leader, and their parent or guardian:

SCOUT/VENTURE CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the foregoing information is accurate and if I am the national winner, I will make myself available to receive the award at a presentation ceremony as designated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
UNIT LEADER’S CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the above-named Scout is an active member of our unit and the information supplied by the candidate is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
PARENT’S CONSENT: I hereby certify that all information on this application is correct. I willingly submit this name for consideration as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Scout of the Year. If this individual is selected as the national winner, I will ensure that he/she is allowed to attend a presentation ceremony as designed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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