$1,000-$35,000
VFW Voice of Democracy
Audio-essay competition for grades 9-12. National first place wins $35,000; state winners get $1,000+ and a trip to Valley Forge.
Award
$1,000-$35,000
Deadline
Oct 31, 2026
Renewable
One-time
Recipients
Varies
Who's eligible
Students in grades 9-12 enrolled in a public, private, parochial, or home study program in the U.S. or its territories. Enter via a local VFW Post.
What you'll need to apply
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Source linkAbout this scholarship
The VFW's Voice of Democracy program awards more than $1.9 million in scholarships annually. Students in grades 9-12 record a 3-5 minute audio essay on the annual patriotic theme (2026-27: 'What a Veteran Taught Me About America') and enter through a local VFW Post. The national first-place winner receives $35,000 paid directly to their school; other national awards range from $1,000-$15,000, and each state's winner receives at least $1,000 plus an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C./Valley Forge.