The National VFW and VFW Auxiliary offer several scholarships for members and their families. There are also scholarships available at the state level.
Applications for all scholarships listed on this page can be submitted at your nearest VFW Post. Our Post is located at 1706 W. Garner Rd., Garner, North Carolina.
National
The National VFW and the National VFW Auxiliary each offer two unique scholarship programs.
VFW
Voice of Democracy: An audio-essay program open to high schoolers (9th-12th grade), that provides students the opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. The national first-place winner receives $35,000 (paid directly to recipient’s U.S. university, college, or vocational/technical school).
Patriot’s Pen: An essay contest open to 6th-8th grade students that encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Each state’s first-place winner receives a minimum of $500 — and the national first-place winner takes home $5,000.
Auxiliary
Young American Creative Patriotic Art: Open to 9th-12th grade students, this contest started in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.
Continuing Education: The National VFW Auxiliary awards four (4) scholarships each year to assist members who want to further their education by pursuing a college degree or a career direction at technical school. One scholarship is presented per year to a candidate in each of the four VFW Auxiliary Conferences. North Carolina is in the Southern Conference. To qualify, applicants must have been a member of the VFW Auxiliary for at least one year more prior to application; members’ spouses and dependent children are also eligible to apply.
State
The North Carolina State VFW and Auxiliary offers the following different Scholarships for children and grandchildren of Post and Auxiliary members:
- Brown Scholarship – Established to honor Otis N. Brown, one of North Carolina’s past National Commanders-in-Chief.
- Cameron Scholarship – Established to honor Billy Ray Cameron, one of North Carolina’s past National Commanders-in-Chief.
- Mayberry Scholarship – Established to honor Erline Mayberry, North Carolina’s past president of the National VFW Auxiliary.
| Brown | Cameron | Mayberry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Scholarships Awarded Annually | One (1) | One (1) | Four (4) |
| Scholarship Sponsor | VFW | VFW | VFW Auxiliary |
| Award Amount | $4,000 ($1K/year for four years) | $4,000 ($1K/year for four years) | $1,000 |
Students are allowed to apply for all three scholarships — but can only be awarded a maximum of one; if a student wins both, they will receive the scholarship with the higher dollar value.* Applications must be submitted by February 15 to be considered for the following school year.
*Since the qualifications are the same for all three scholarships, we encourage students to apply for both. Winners will only receive one award, but applying for both will increase your chances.
SCOUT OF THE YEAR???
Scout of the Year: This program be recognizes members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for their standout citizenship, patriotism, and love of country. https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/scout-of-the-year
Veterans of Foreign Wars: Post 10225 