Scholarship Value: $35,000
Awards Available: 50
Award Deadline: Oct 31, 2024
The Voice of Democracy scholarship is an opportunity for high school students to showcase their creativity, patriotism, and writing skills, all while competing for a chance to win some amazing scholarships.
The Voice of Democracy (VOD) scholarship is an annual contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, service members, and their families. The contest has been running for over 75 years, and it’s one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the United States.
Here is how to apply:
• High school students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit an audio essay (that’s a recorded speech, folks!) on a specific theme related to patriotism, freedom, and democracy.
• The theme changes each year, but it’s always something thought-provoking and relevant to the times we live in.
• Students can write and record their own essays, and then submit them to their local VFW post (that’s a local chapter of the VFW organization).
• A panel of judges reviews all the submissions and selects the top winners at the local, state, and national levels.
• The national winner receives a grand prize of $35,000, and there are also smaller scholarships awarded at the state and local levels.
• The contest is open to all high school students, including home-schooled students and those enrolled in public, private, or parochial schools.
• The deadline to apply is usually around October 31st each year, so be sure to mark your calendars!
“The grand prize winner will receive a $35,000 scholarship to be used at any American university, college, or vocational/technical school. Other national winners will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $21,000. Moreover, each state’s top winner will receive a minimum of $1,000.
The 2024-25 theme is:
“Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?
WHO CAN APPLY?
The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open to students in grades 6-8 who meet the following criteria
• Enrolled in public, private, or parochial school in the U.S., its territories, or possessions
• Dependent of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools
• Home-schooled students
• Lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (application not denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen as soon as possible
Foreign exchange students are not eligible.
