Join FAQ

National Scholarship FAQs

Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship

15 - $5,000 scholarships awarded to students across the country

  1. Where can a student find the application?
  1. When is the scholarship deadline?
  • The final deadline is March 1. The application form will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. No exceptions will be made. National Headquarters receives the entries and disperses them to the departments (states) for the first round of judging.
  • Winners will be announced in May via social media and on the national website www.ALAforVeterans.org.
  • Notification letters will be mailed in May to the winners.
  • A list of winners will be emailed in May to department secretaries and education chairs.
  1. Can anyone apply for the National Presidents’ Scholarship?
  • Candidates for this award shall be direct descendants of veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion and were honorably discharged. Membership in The American Legion Family is not required for this scholarship.
  • Applicants must be in their senior year of high school.
  • A student who is not a senior but taking college courses is not eligible.
  • Homeschooled students may apply, provided they are the equivalent of a high school senior.
  • Students who have already graduated high school and/or are currently enrolled in college are not eligible.
  1. Is community service required and how many hours?
  • 50 hours of volunteer service is required to be eligible for this scholarship.
  • Verification of the time served must be in writing from the recipient organization(s).
  • Hours served volunteering for the ALA and The Legion Family are acceptable.
    • For documentation purposes the Unit President or Post Commander should sign off on the hours by writing a letter.
  • Hours may be spread over the course of the applicant’s high school career.
  • Hours may be from one organization or spread across several.
    • If spread across several, documentation must come from each organization.
    • The exception being if the various organizations were arranged through the applicant’s school.  Then a single letter from the applicant’s school counselor listing all the organizations and hours will be sufficient.
  1. My parents aren’t comfortable making copies of our FAFSA due to privacy concerns.  Are there other options?
  • The FAFSA is no longer required.
  1.  Where do applicants turn in their scholarship entry?
  • Applications are submitted online to National Headquarters. No further action from applicants is needed.
  1. What happens to the scholarship entry after it has been turned in? 
  • Scholarship entries are distributed to the department (state) in which the applicant resides for the first round of judging. If the entry is selected by the state, then the entry is judged and certified one last time at the division level. There will be three winners in each of the 5 divisions. These entries are certified winners and receive the scholarship.
  • Applications of military students residing overseas will be distributed to their sponsor’s home state of record for the first round of judging.
  1. How is the scholarship judged?
  • Character/Leadership                   30%
  • Essay/Application                             30%
  • Academic Achievement                 40%
  1. What is the amount awarded?
  • $5,000, 3 per division, for a total of $75,000 annually
  1. How long does the student have to use the scholarship?
  • ALA NHQ must receive the Scholarship Certification Form within 12 months of notification (date on the winner’s letter). The scholarship money must be used within 24 months of the winner receiving notification.
  1. How does a winner claim their scholarship money?
    1. A Scholarship Certification Form will be enclosed with the winner’s notification form, which must be completed by the student and their school’s registrar (or an equivalent position if no registrar is available).
    2. Once completed, the Scholarship Certification Form should be returned to the Education Program Coordinator at NHQ.
    3. Funds will then be released in the form of a check to the school.
  1. Does the scholarship winner get the money or does the school?
  • The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.
  • In some circumstances, a special exception may be made. For example, for a student in the Air Force Academy, which has no tuition or room and board, the check was sent to the US Treasury on the student’s behalf to offset expenses (books, uniforms, etc.)
  1. Is the money paid out in one lump sum or installments?
  • The Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship is paid in one lump sum, payable after NHQ receives the completed Scholarship Certification Form.
  1.  Is the Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship renewable? Can a winner apply for it again?
  • No, since one of the requirements is the applicant must be a senior in high school.  A previous winner would no longer be in high school.

Spirit of Youth Scholarship

5 - $5,000 scholarships awarded to ALA Junior members across the country

  1. Where can a student find the application?
  1. When is the scholarship deadline?
  • The final deadline is March 1. The application form will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. No exceptions will be made. National Headquarters receives the entries and disperses them to the departments (states) for the first round of judging.
  • Winners will be announced in May via social media and on the national website www.ALAforVeterans.org.
  • Letters will be mailed in May to winners.
  • A list of winners will be emailed in May to department secretaries and education chairs.
  1. Who can apply for the Spirit of Youth Scholarship?
  • The Spirit of Youth (SOY) Scholarship is available to ALA Junior members who are in their senior year of high school.
  • They must have been an ALA member for three consecutive years and have paid all of their dues (including the year in which a Junior is wanting to apply for a scholarship). 
  1. Is community service required to receive this scholarship?
  • •No, there is no community service requirement. However, the applicants’ participation in the American Legion Auxiliary is part of the judging process.
  1. My parents aren’t comfortable making copies of our FAFSA due to privacy concerns.  Are there other options?
  • The FAFSA is no longer required.
  1. Where do I turn my scholarship entry in?
  • Applications are submitted online to National Headquarters. No further action from applicants is needed.
  1. What happens to the scholarship entry after it has been turned in? 
  • Scholarship entries are distributed to the department (state) in which the applicant resides for the first round of judging. If the entry is selected by the state, then the entry is judged and certified one last time at the division level. There will be one winner in each of the 5 divisions. These entries are certified winners and receive the scholarship. 
  1. How is the scholarship judged?
  • Character/Leadership                   30%
  • Essay/Application                            30%
  • Academic Achievement                40%
  1. What is the amount awarded?
  • State/Department: National Headquarters will award each state/department winner a $1,000 scholarship (47 scholarships total). New for 2023-2024.
  • National: From the potential 52 state/department scholarship winners, the national Education Committee will select 5 winners (1 per division) for a $5,000 scholarship based on a scoring rubric.
  1. How long does the student have to use the scholarship?
  • ALA NHQ must receive the Scholarship Certification Form within 12 months of notification (date on the winner’s letter). The scholarship money must be used within six years of the winner receiving notification.
  1. How does a winner claim their scholarship money?
    1. A Scholarship Certification Form will be enclosed with the winner’s notification form, which must be completed by the student and their school’s registrar (or an equivalent position if no registrar is available).
    2. Once completed, the Scholarship Certification Form should be returned to the Education Program Coordinator at NHQ.
    3. Funds will then be released in the form of a check to the school.
  2. Does the scholarship winner get the money or does the school?
  • The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.
  • In some circumstances, a special exception may be made. For example, for a student in the Air Force Academy, which has no tuition or room and board, the check was sent to the US Treasury on the student’s behalf to offset expenses (books, uniforms, etc.)
  1. Is the money paid out in one lump sum or installments?
  • Department (state) winners - the award ($1,000) will be paid directly to the school for the first semester upon notification from the school that the student has registered.
  • National winners - the first half of the award ($2,500) will be paid directly to the school for the first semester upon notification from the school that the student has registered. There shall be no money paid to the school for the ensuing semesters until re-enrollment notification has been received at National Headquarters from the school. Notification from the school must include verification of a B (3.0) average. If the winner discontinues their education or membership in the American Legion Auxiliary before completing the scholarship period, the balance of the scholarship will be forfeited.
  1. Is the Spirit of Youth Scholarship renewable? Can a winner apply for it again?
  • No, since one of the requirements is the applicant must be a senior in high school.  A previous winner would no longer be in high school.

Member Loyalty Scholarship

10 - $2,500 scholarships awarded to members currently enrolled in college across the country

  1. Where can a student find the application?
  1. When is the scholarship deadline?
  • The final deadline is March 1. The application form will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. No exceptions will be made. National Headquarters receives the entries and disperses them to the departments (states) for the first round of judging.
  • Winners will be announced in May via social media and on the national website www.ALAforVeterans.org.
  • Letters will be mailed in May to winners.
  • A list of winners will be emailed in May to department secretaries and education chairs.
  1. Who can apply for the Member Loyalty Scholarship?
  • Applicants must have been a Junior member of the American Legion Auxiliary, held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary for the past three consecutive years and be a paid member for the current membership year. Winners must continue membership in the American Legion Auxiliary during the scholarship period.
  • Applicants must be a traditional student with no interruption in education, at least in the first semester of college but not yet attained a bachelor’s degree.
  1. Do I have to be a full-time undergraduate student?
  • Yes.
  1. I was a winner of the Spirit of Youth Scholarship. Am I eligible to apply for the Member Loyalty Scholarship?
  • Yes, if you are now in college and have continued your membership as a senior member in the American Legion Auxiliary.
  1. Is community service required to receive this scholarship?
  • No, there is no community service requirement. However, the applicants’ participation in the American Legion Auxiliary is part of the judging process.
  1. I am not comfortable making copies of my FAFSA due to privacy concerns. Are there other options?
  • The FAFSA is no longer required.
  1. Where do I turn my scholarship entry in?
  • Applications are submitted online to National Headquarters. No further action from applicants is needed.
  1. What happens to the scholarship entry after it has been turned in?
  • Scholarship entries are distributed to the department (state) in which the applicant resides for the first round of judging. If the entry is selected by the state, then the entry is judged and certified one last time at the division level. There will be two winners in each of the 5 divisions. These entries are certified winners and receive the scholarship.
  1. How is the scholarship judged?
  • Leadership, character and ALA Participation (as presented in the applicant's essay) 50%
  • Academic Achievement  25%
  • Completed Application   25%
  1. What is the amount awarded?
  • $2,500 — two per division — for a total of $25,000 annually.
  1. How long does the student have to use the scholarship?
  • ALA NHQ must receive the Scholarship Certification Form within 12 months of notification (date on the winner’s letter). The scholarship money must be used within four years of the winner receiving notification.
  1. How does a winner claim their scholarship money?
  • A Scholarship Certification Form will be enclosed with the winner’s notification form, which must be completed by the student and their school’s registrar (or an equivalent position if no registrar is available).
  • Once completed, the Scholarship Certification Form should be returned to the Education Program Coordinator at NHQ.
  • Funds will then be released in the form of a check to the school.
  1. Does the scholarship winner get the money or does the school?
  • The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.
  • In some circumstances, a special exception may be made. For example, for a student in the Air Force Academy, which has no tuition or room and board, the check was sent to the US Treasury on the student’s behalf to offset expenses (books, uniforms, etc.)
  1. Is the money paid out in one lump sum or installments?
  • The first half of the award ($1,250) will be paid directly to the school for the first semester upon notification from the school that the student has registered. There shall be no money paid to the school for the ensuing semesters until re-enrollment notification has been received at National Headquarters from the school. Notification from the school must include verification of a B (3.0) average. If the winner discontinues their education or membership in the American Legion Auxiliary before completing the scholarship period, the balance of the scholarship will be forfeited.

Non-Traditional Student Scholarship

5 - $2,000 scholarships awarded to Legion Family members, veterans, and spouses of active duty servicemembers or veterans.

  1. Where can a student find the application?
  1. When is the scholarship deadline?
  • The final deadline is March 1. The application form will close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. No exceptions will be made. National Headquarters receives the entries and disperses them to the departments (states) for the first round of judging.
  • Winners will be announced in May via social media and on the national website www.ALAforVeterans.org.
  • Letters will be mailed in May to winners and their sponsoring units.
  • A list of winners will be emailed in May to department secretaries and education chairs.
  1. Who can apply for the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship?
  1. A current member in good standing of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, or Sons of The American Legion, must have held membership for the two preceding years, and be a paid member for the current membership year, OR
  2. A veteran who served in the United States Armed Forces and was honorably discharged, OR
  3. The spouse of an active duty servicemember or a veteran who was honorably discharged.
  • Applicants must also be a student returning to the classroom after some period of time in which his/her formal education was interrupted or a non-traditional student who is just beginning his/her education at a later point in life.
  1. Do I have to be a full-time undergraduate student?
  • No, part time students are eligible, as are other degree students such as masters or doctorate students.
  1. I was a winner of the Spirit of Youth Scholarship. Am I eligible to apply for the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship?
  • No, SOY scholarship winners are not eligible to receive this scholarship.
  1. Is community service required to receive this scholarship?
  • No, there is no volunteer service required. 
  1. I am not comfortable making copies of my FAFSA due to privacy concerns. Are there other options?
  • The FAFSA is no longer required.
  1. Where do I turn my scholarship entry in?
  • Applications are submitted online to National Headquarters. No further action from applicants is needed.
  1. What happens to thescholarship entry after it has been turned in?
  • Scholarship entries are distributed to the department (state) in which the applicant resides for the first round of judging. If the entry is selected by the state, then the entry is judged and certified one last time at the division level. There will be one winner in each of the 5 divisions. These entries are certified winners and receive the scholarship.
  1. How is the scholarship judged?
  • Character/leadership 25%
  • Initiative/Goals 25%
  • Financial Need 25%
  • Academic Achievement 25%
  1. What is the amount awarded?
  • $2,000, one per division, for a total of $10,000 annually.
  1. How long does the student have to use the scholarship?
  • ALA NHQ must receive the Scholarship Certification Form within 12 months of notification (date on the winner’s letter). The scholarship money must be used within 24 months of the winner receiving notification.
  1. How does a winner claim their scholarship money?
  • A Scholarship Certification Form will be enclosed with the winner’s notification form, which must be completed by the student and their school’s registrar (or an equivalent position if no registrar is available).
  • Once completed, the Scholarship Certification Form should be returned to the Education Program Coordinator at NHQ.
  • Funds will then be released in the form of a check to the school.
  1. Does the scholarship winner get the money or does the school?
  • The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.
  • In some circumstances, a special exception may be made. For example, for a student in the Air Force Academy, which has no tuition or room and board, the check was sent to the US Treasury on the student’s behalf to offset expenses (books, uniforms, etc.)
  1. Is the money paid out in one lump sum or installments?
  • The Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is paid in one lump sum, payable after NHQ receives the completed Scholarship Certification Form.
  1.  Is the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship renewable? Can a winner apply for it again?
  • No, since one of the requirements is the applicant be returning to or starting school after a period of time.  A previous winner would no longer be returning to school.

James H Parke Scholarship

  1. What is the James H Parke Scholarship?
  • Each Veterans Affairs medical center may nominate one Veteran Affairs Volunteer Services (VAVS) Student Volunteer to be considered for this scholarship. The nominee must have completed 100 hours of regularly scheduled VAVS during a calendar year prior to September 1. The nominee must also be in the 10th grade or above and have not reached their 19th birthday to be considered. 
  1. Where do I find more information on this scholarship?

Samsung American Legion Scholarship (ALA Girls/Legion Boys State)

  1. Who can apply for the Samsung American Legion Scholarship?
  • Scholarship applications are restricted to high school juniors who attend the current session of either the Legion Boys State or ALA 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 membership in The American Legion.
  1. What is the deadline for the application of the Samsung American Legion Scholarship?
  • Applications for the Samsung American Legion Scholarship are due no later than the first day of the Legion Boys State or ALA Girls State program, using the online application. 
  1. Where can I find the online application and/or more information?

ALA Girls State/ALA Girls Nation Scholarships

  1. Who are awarded the ALA Girls Nation Program Scholarships? How much do they win?
  • ALA Girls Nation President - $2,000
  • ALA Girls Nation Vice President - $2,000
  • ALA Girls Nation Outstanding Senator - 2 @ $2,000
  • ALA Girls Nation Outstanding Junior Counselor: $1,000
  1. How long does the student have to use the scholarship?
  • ALA NHQ must receive the Scholarship Certification Form within 24 months of notification (date on the winner’s letter). The scholarship money must be used within 24 months of the winner receiving notification.
  1. How does a winner claim their scholarship money?
  • A Scholarship Certification Form will be enclosed with the winner’s notification form, which must be completed by the student and their school’s registrar (or an equivalent position if no registrar is available).
  • Once completed, the Scholarship Certification Form should be returned to the Education Program Coordinator at NHQ.
  • Funds will then be released in the form of a check to the school.
  1. Does the scholarship winner get the money or does the school?
  • The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.
  • In some circumstances, a special exception may be made. For example, for a student in the Air Force Academy, which has no tuition or room and board, the check was sent to the US Treasury on the student’s behalf to offset expenses (books, uniforms, etc.)
  1. Is the money paid out in one lump sum or installments?
  • The ALA Girls Nation Scholarships are paid in one lump sum, payable after NHQ receives the completed Scholarship Certification Form.

Junior Member Scholarships

  1. Are there scholarships available for Junior Members?
  • Yes, there are several opportunities for Junior members to receive scholarships. These scholarships are: the Spirit of Youth Scholarship, Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship, and the Junior Member of the Year. Another scholarship for which Junior Members may be eligible for is the James H. Parke Scholarship, provided by Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services.  

Honorary National Junior Division Vice President Scholarship

The Honorary National Junior Division Vice President Scholarships have been discontinued and replaced with the Junior Member of the Year scholarship.

Junior Member of the Year Scholarship

1 - $5,000 scholarship is awarded to the national Junior Member of the Year.
4 - $1,000 scholarships are awarded to the remaining division Junior Members of the Year.

  1. How does a Junior apply for the scholarship for the Junior Member of the Year award?
    • Juniors must submit their application for the Junior Member of the Year scholarship via the online application form.
  2. When is the deadline?
    • The final deadline is June 1. The application form will close at 5 p.m. Eastern. No exceptions will be made. National Headquarters receives the entries and will disperse them for judging.
    • Winners will be announced during the Junior Activities pre-convention committee meetings.
    • The national winner will be contacted in July to coordinate travel arrangements to the National Convention. Notification letters will be mailed in August to the division winners.
    • A list of winners will be posted at www.ALAforVeterans.org along with the other national award winners.
  3. Can anyone apply for the Junior Member of the Year scholarship?
    • Juniors must be at least in eighth grade or an eighth-grade equivalent.
  4. How is the award judged?
    • The scoring rubric includes points for ALA mission service, serving as an honorary Junior officer, and essay questions.
  5. What is the amount awarded?
    • 1 $5,000 winner, plus 4 $1,000 division winners, for a total of $9,000 annually.
  6. How long does the student have to use the scholarship?
    • ALA NHQ must receive the Scholarship Certification Form within 12 months of the winner’s graduation from high school. The scholarship money must be used within 24 months of the winner receiving notification.
  7. How does a winner claim their scholarship money?
    • A Scholarship Certification Form will be enclosed with the winner’s notification form, which must be completed by the student and their school’s registrar (or an equivalent position if no registrar is available).
    • Once completed, the Scholarship Certification Form should be returned to the Education Program coordinator at NHQ.
    • Funds will then be released in the form of a check to the school.
  8. Does the scholarship winner get the money or does the school?
    • The check is paid to the school for tuition and/or room and board.
  9. Is the money paid out in one lump sum or installments?
    • The Junior Member of the Year Scholarship is paid in one lump sum, payable after NHQ receives the completed Scholarship Certification Form.
  10. Is the scholarship for the Junior Member of the Year award renewable? Can the winner be awarded again?
    • National winners may only be awarded Junior Member of the Year once. Therefore, they may only receive the scholarship once.

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