Voice of Democracy Scholarship: Full Guide

The Voice of Democracy Scholarship is committed to strengthening future generations and encouraging patriotism. These scholarships might be for you if you’re a patriotic middle school student hoping to win $5,000 or a high school student who loves democracy and wants to earn a $35,000 college tuition.

Overview of Voice of Democracy Scholarship

Here, high school students have the exceptional chance to express themselves through a recorded essay with a democratic and patriotic topic through the Voice of Democracy audio-essay program.

Nearly 25,000 9–12 adolescents compete each year for a chance to win a portion of the more than $2 million in educational scholarships and rewards given out by the program.

A $35,000 scholarship, payable directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical institution, is awarded to the national first-place winner.

The total amount of additional national scholarships is between $1,000 and $21,000, and the top finisher from each VFW Department (state) receives a minimum of $1,000 in scholarships.

Application Requirements

A three to five-minute audio essay on a contest theme which varies annually must be submitted by students. Open to high school students enrolled in grades 9 through 12.

Students in grades 9 through 12 who are enrolled by October 31 in home study, public, private, or parochial school programs in the United States, its territories, or its possessions are eligible to participate in the Voice of Democracy Program.

Participation is also open to dependents of American military or civilian personnel attending schools abroad.

Award available at any post-secondary educational level at an American university. Only permanent U.S. residents are eligible. Local competition is where it all begins. To the National Headquarters, no entries may be sent.

A $30,000 scholarship, payable directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical institution, is awarded to the national first-place winner.

A baseline scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state), and there is a comprehensive list of additional national scholarships available ranging from $1,000 to $16,000.