Spirit of Youth Scholarship

Spirit of Youth Scholarship

National Headquarters will award each department/state one recipient a scholarship of $1,000. This is relatively new and started in 2023-2024. From the potential 52 department/state scholarship recipients, the National Education Committee will select five recipients (one per division) who will receive a $5,000 scholarship in lieu of the $1000 department/state scholarship.

• CENTRAL DIVISION - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin
• EASTERN DIVISION - Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
• NORTHWESTERN DIVISION - Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
• SOUTHERN DIVISION - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
• WESTERN DIVISION - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington

All are gift scholarships, not loans.

Eligibility and Rules:

• Candidates for this award shall be/shall have been Junior members of the American Legion Auxiliary, have held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary for the past three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025), and must be a paid member for the current (2026) membership year.
• Applicant must continue their membership in the American Legion Auxiliary during the scholarship period. Participation in an ALA Girls State program does not make you a member of the American Legion Auxiliary or eligible for the Spirit of Youth Scholarship.
• Applicants must be in their senior year of high school or be a senior equivalent.
• This is a scholarship to attend an accredited institution of higher education. Applicants must be of good character and have grades that meet entrance requirements at the institution of their choice. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA using a 4.0 scale.
• Essay answers must have a minimum of 600 characters in length. This requirement ensures that responses are detailed enough to fully address the question given. All essays will be reviewed using AI tools to help ensure originality. These tools assist in identifying potential plagiarism and detecting AI-generated content. Applicants that rely heavily on AI will be disqualified.
• Completed applications are DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern.
• Judging, at all levels, shall be on the following basis:
  • 30% - Character/Leadership
  • 30% - Essay/Application
  • 40% - Academic Achievement
• THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES SHALL BE FINAL.

Attachments:

You will need to attach several different documents for this application. Below is a list of things you will need to complete your application.

• Transcripts, or photocopy of the transcripts, of the applicant's most recent high school grades.
• Two letters of recommendation: one letter of recommendation must be from an educator or spiritual advisor who is familiar with the applicant’s academic performance, extracurricular activities, and can describe their skills, leadership experience, and character. The second letter of recommendation is from a person of the applicant’s choosing attesting to the applicant's character regarding conduct, citizenship, and leadership. Letters of recommendation from family members will not be accepted.

Essay Question for 2026 Application:

As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we are reminded of the generations of Americans who have selflessly served and sacrificed to protect our freedoms. Reflect on how the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary has influenced your understanding and appreciation of veterans, servicemembers, and their families. In this historic milestone year, how has their legacy inspired you to carry forward a spirit of service and dedication to make a difference in your community, your country, and the world?

Disbursement of funds:

1. Department/state recipients: The scholarship of $1,000 will be paid directly to the school for the first semester upon notification from the school that the student has registered. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters must receive certification of enrollment within 12 months of the winning recipient’s notification, or the scholarship will be forfeited. If the winner discontinues their education or membership in the American Legion Auxiliary before requesting the funds, the scholarship will be forfeited. The winner will have 24 months from the date of high school graduation to utilize the scholarship funds.
2. National recipients: 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. American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters must receive enrollment certification within 12 months of the winning recipient’s notification, or the scholarship will be forfeited. 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. The winner will have six years from the date of high school graduation to utilize the scholarship funds.