VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Scholarship competition. Local high school and middle school students can compete for thousands of dollars in scholarships.

PATRIOT PEN
Each year, nearly 68,000 students in grades 6-8 enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000!

The 2024-2025 theme is: My Voice in America’s Democracy?

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000.

The 2024-2025 theme is: “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”