CHILDREN & YOUTH ~ SCHOOL PROGRAMS
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The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. There are opportunities for everyone, including kin of wartime veterans and participants in Legion programs.
"Need a Lift?" is A 152-page booklet updated annually to serve as a complete financial-aid reference guide to veterans, veterans' dependents and members of the American Legion family. The publication contains information on federal and state veterans benefits; scholarships for veterans and their dependents, and Legionnaires and their family members; tips for applying to college and applying for financial assistance; and a comprehensive guide to colleges and universities listing tuition, room and board costs, and admission and financial aid deadlines.
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American Legion Baseball Scholarship ~ In 2008, The American Legion awarded $22,000 in scholarships to deserving players. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from their Department to receive this scholarship. The American Legion will award several scholarships this year depending on the number of applicants and interest earned from the trust fund.
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American Legion Samsung Scholarship ~ Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea's aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount. In 2010, 10 $20,000 scholarships and 88 $1,000 scholarships were awarded.
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Eagle Scout of the Year ~ The American Legion honors the Eagle Scout of the Year at the national convention with a $10,000 scholarship. The three runners-up get $2,500. Further information is available from department adjutants or the Americanism and Children & Youth Division.
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National High School Oratorical Contest
“A constitutional speech contest”
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former president candidate Alan Keyes and CNN anchor Lou Dobbs.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students.
Over $138,000 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets an $18,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $16,000, and third gets $14,000.
Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $1,500 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $1,500 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.
Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.
Learn more about the Oratorical Contest
Post 295's Contest is held on the 2nd Saturday in January each year. Students should be preregistered, please use the contact us page.
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American Legion Post 295 sponsors Cub Scout Pack 1760, along with other American Legion Posts who sponsor more than 2,500 Scouting units across the country. This is natural for Legionnaires, who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build character and positive traits in our country's youth.
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The American Legion Legacy Scholarship
The American Legion wants to ensure higher education is a possibility for children whose parents have been killed while serving our country. It is a civic duty to provide them with equal opportunity. The Legion offers its support through the Legacy Scholarship Fund.
There has been a significant shortfall in government money allotted to children with parents lost in war. The government gives these children a college education stipend worth slightly more than $37,000. Taking into account living expenses, textbooks and rising tuitions, this benefit covers only a little more than half of college costs in the most affordable situation. And the price tag of higher learning will only continue to rise. The most conservative estimates predict a 5-percent annual increase, meaning that in 16 years the most affordable college education will be $132,800. Obviously, military compensation will not keep up.
Aid offered
The amount of aid and number of awards depend upon the income derived from the trust. Scholarship recipients may re-apply for the award.
Eligibility
Those eligible to apply for the scholarship shall be the child/children or legally adopted child/children or a child of a spouse by a prior marriage or dependent child as defined by the United States Armed Services of active duty United States military and National Guard, and military reservists who were federalized and die on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The applicant must be a high school senior or high school graduate to apply for the scholarship. Scholarship is for undergraduate study at an accredited institution of higher education within the United States.
Deadline
Application must be post marked no later than April 15.
Application
Print the application
More Information
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund Charles Graybiel
Program Coordinator
(317) 630-1212
E-mail acy@legion.org
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The American Legion Baseball Scholarship
In 2008, The American Legion awarded $22,000 in scholarships to deserving players. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from their Department to receive this scholarship. The American Legion will award several scholarships this year depending on the number of applicants and interest earned from the trust fund.
Print the application
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Samsung American Legion Scholarship
Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea's aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount. In 2010, 10 $20,000 scholarships and 88 $1,000 scholarships were awarded.
Eligibility
Scholarships are restricted to high school juniors who complete either a Boys State or Girls State program and are a direct descendant - i.e. child, grandchild, great grandchild, etc. - or a legally adopted child of a wartime veteran who served on active duty during at least one of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for American Legion membership.
Samsung scholarships are for undergraduate study only and may be used for tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Winners are selected according to academic record, involvement in school and community activities, community service and financial need. Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War veterans will receive special consideration.
Deadline
Usually, applications are submitted to program staff upon participants' arrival at Boys State or Girls State.
Application
Print the application
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