Veterans of Foreign Wars is accepting applications for the “Patriot’s Pen” and “Voice of Democracy” scholarship awards!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is once again accepting applications for the “Patriot’s Pen” and “Voice of Democracy” scholarship awards!

According to the VFW website, The Patriot’s Pen scholarship essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay and expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.

The 2020-2021 theme for this scholarship is: “What is Patriotism to Me”

Each year more than 111,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $900,000 in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000.

To apply: https://vfwwi.org/uploads/documents/VOD-PATRIOTS-PEN/2020-2021PPBrochure-UPDATED.PDF

The Voice of Democracy patriotic audio-essay program, established in 1947, provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.

The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 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-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000.

The 2020-2021 theme for this scholarship is: “Is This The Country the Founders Envisioned?”

To apply: https://vfwwi.org/uploads/documents/VOD-PATRIOTS-PEN/2020-2021VoDBrochure-UPDATED.PDF

For more information on either program, please go to: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships