Each of our scholarships encourage patriotism, assist students in attaining an education and help students reach their full potential. This increases VFW and Auxiliary recognition while supporting our communities, students and members.

 

 

Open to any Auxiliary member (who has been a member for at least a year), their spouse, son or daughter with a financial need. Entrant must be at least 18 years old, complete the application and submit an essay of 300 words or less.

 

The application must be received at National Headquarters by February 15:

Program Awards Administrator

VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters

406 W. 34th Street, 10th Floor

Kansas City, MO 64111

 

Or email it to info@vfwauxiliary.org

 

$1,000 will be awarded to an applicant in each of the four Conferences. Applications are available from Department Scholarships Chairmen or at vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships.

 

Open to any student in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who is 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. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen. 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. Entries will be judged on patriotic theme and technique. One Department winner will be forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters. Please see the student brochure at vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships for more details on requirements and contest rules.

 

Entries received by: Participating VFW Auxiliary – March 31

VFW Auxiliary Department – April 15

VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters – May 5

 

 

First Place – $15,000

Second Place – $7,500

Third Place – $3,500

Fourth and Fifth Place – $1,500

Sixth Place – $1,000

Seventh through Thirteenth Place – $500

 

Two-Dimensional Art Forms Accepted See the rules below:

Two-dimensional art:

• Must be on canvas or paper.

• Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media may be used.

• Do not frame two-dimensional pieces.

• Submit canvas entries on a stretcher frame or canvas board.

• Other entries, if matted, 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.

 

The 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest promotes patriotism while recognizing young artists in grades 9 -12. This contest is open to students enrolled in a public, private, parochial or home school program. Entries will be judged on patriotic theme, creativity and technique. Three-dimensional art entries may be:

• Can be paper, papier-mâché, pottery, sculpture, fabric, wood, metalwork, etc.

• Larger than 18” in any direction

• More than 5lbs in weight

• Jewelry

• First place - $2,500

• Second place - $1,000

• Third place - $500

For the above contests, digital art, photography and jewelry are not accepted.  

 

Scholarships are paid directly to the American college, vocational, technical or trade school of the winners’ choice. Please promote this contest in your area. We have talented and creative artists waiting to be discovered.

 

Please note that the 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Contest is an additional scholarship and separate from the Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. See the official rules for art forms that are accepted for this contest.

 

 

Open to students in grades 9-12 by the October 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. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or adult education students are ineligible. One Department winner will be forwarded to VFW National Headquarters.

 

Entries to VFW Post – Midnight, October 31

Post Judging Complete – November 15

Department Judging Complete – January 10

Department Winner to VFW National Headquarters – January 15

 

First Place – $30,000 scholarship

Second Place – $16,000 scholarship

Third Place – $10,000 scholarship

Fourth through 36th Place – $7,000 to $1,500 scholarship

37th - 53rd Place – $1,000 scholarship

 

2022-2023 Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest

Open to students in grades 6-8, by the October 31 deadline who are enrolled in public, private or parochial 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. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. (Foreign exchange students and former winners that placed in the National contest are excluded from the contest.) One Department winner will be forwarded to VFW National Headquarters.

 

Entries to VFW Post – Midnight, October 31

Post Judging Complete – November 15

Department Judging Complete – January 10

Department Winner to VFW National Headquarters – January 15

 

First Place – $5,000

Second Place – $4,000

Third Place – $3,500

Fourth through 53rd Place – $2,750 to $500

 

Scholarship and Contest Resources Complete list of all contest rules can be found in the following resources:

• VFW website: vfw.org/community/youth-and-education • VFW Auxiliary website: vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships • Promotions from National Ambassador • VFW Store: vfwstore.org or 1-833-VFW-VETS