Country: USA Value: $30,000.00 Deadline: Oct. 31, 2021 Category: High School Students

Youth Scholarships in USA: If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

The VFW is committed to encouraging patriotism and investing in the next generation. These scholarships may be for you if you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in winning a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school kid interested in earning $5,000.

Our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program, which began in 1947, gives high school students the rare chance to express themselves through a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.

Nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from throughout the country compete each year for a chance to win a portion of the program's more than $2 million in educational grants and incentives.

A $30,000 scholarship is awarded to the national first place winner, which is paid directly to the recipient's American university, college, or vocational/technical institution. Other national scholarships vary in value from $1,000 to $16,000, with the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) receiving a minimum of $1,000.

Application Criteria for Youth Scholarships in USA


The Voice of Democracy Program is accessible to students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial, or home study program in the United States, its territories, or possessions before the October 31 deadline.

Dependents of U.S. military or civilian employees enrolled in international schools are also eligible.

HOW TO ENTER:

Download the Voice of Democracy entry form and brochure to submit your essay to your local VFW Post. Students should record their reading of the draft to an audio CD or flash drive. The recording can be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than five minutes (plus or minus five seconds). Entries begin at the Post level. Once the student creates their essay and completes burning the audio version to an audio CD/flash drive, they can submit their typed version, CD/flash drive and the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local participating VFW Post by the Oct.
31 deadline. 

JUDGING CRITERIA:

  • Originality is worth 30 points: Treatment of the theme should show imagination and human interest.
  • Content is worth 35 points: Clearly express your ideas in an organized manner. Fully develop your theme and use transitions to move smoothly from one idea to the other.
  • Delivery is worth 35 points: Speak in a clear and credible manner.

Eligible Nationalities for Youth Scholarships in USA


USA citizen or permanent resident

What information do I need to provide?

Record your original 3-5 minute (+ or – 5 seconds max.) audio essay and submit it for judging to your school/group competition or local VFW Post. Upon acceptance, you can also send your emailed entry form, essay, and audio recording to the VFW Post. Your essay must be written entirely by you. You must record in your own voice and in English.

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing can contact the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for further information.

There will be no music, singing, poetry, or sound effects. Although the audio and typed essay should be labeled with your name to indicate ownership, the substance of the essay must not identify you in any manner (including, but not limited to, your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin).

You may only enter one competition per year at each Post (if otherwise eligible). Additional participant personal information, such as an image, SSN, or biographical information, may be asked by the VFW at any point throughout the event.

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