VFW Youth Scholarships (Voice of Democracy & Patriot's Pen)

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) offers two prestigious youth scholarship programs designed to promote patriotism and invest in the future generation. The Voice of Democracy program, established in 1947, is an audio-essay competition for high school students in grades 9-12, awarding more than $1.4 million annually in educational scholarships. The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship, with additional awards ranging from $1,000 to $21,000. The Patriot's Pen essay contest is open to middle school students in grades 6-8, with nearly $1 million in state and national awards distributed each year. The national first place winner receives $5,000, while state winners receive a minimum of $500 at the national level. Both programs require students to submit essays on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. For the 2025-26 competition year, both programs share the theme: 'How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?' Students must submit their entries through a local participating VFW Post by the October 31 deadline.