Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship

It is important to acknowledge the sacrifices of our servicemembers who preserve our freedom, but that is not enough. The sacrifices of the children of those who served should also be honored. Providing funds to assist these children so they can pursue higher education is a concrete way of showing how much we, as a nation, care.

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors the Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship to support the children of our warriors. These scholarships are awarded to 15 students annually who excel in academics and volunteer in their communities.

View Scholarship Recipients

Scholarships Awarded

Three $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually per geographic division, for a total of 15 scholarships. These scholarships are for undergraduate study only at an accredited college or university, and may be used for tuition, books, fees, room, and board.
Scholarship Deadline: March 1 of each calendar year

Scholarship Rules

  1. 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: April 6, 1917, to November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941. Membership in The American Legion Family is not required for this scholarship.
  2. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school.
  3. This is a scholarship to attend an accredited institution of higher education.
  4. Applicants must complete 50 hours of volunteer service within the community during their high school years. Hours must be verified in writing by the recipient organization(s).
  5. Completed applications are DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 11:59 PM Eastern.
  6. Judging, at all levels, shall be on the following basis:
  • 30% - Character/Leadership
  • 30% - Essay/Application
  • 40% - Academic Achievement

“The American Legion Auxiliary offering the Children of Warriors scholarship, to know that someone was thinking about me and that someone cared about me … was the biggest light at the end of the tunnel. I was leaving my family, leaving a lot of my connection to the military, and someone was still there to support me, and there were organizations vested in my interests. It really just meant the world to me.”

- Liza Ruzicka, ALA Children of Warriors National Presidents’ Scholarship Recipient -