Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary

Introduction The American Legion Auxiliary funds the Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship to honor the children of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Recognizing not only the service of veterans but also the sacrifices made by their families, this scholarship helps eligible students pursue postsecondary education. Each year, awards are given to outstanding high school seniors who demonstrate strong academics and a commitment to community service. 2026 Awards For 2026, fifteen scholarships of $5,000 each will be granted. These are cash grants — not loans — intended to assist with the recipient’s college expenses. Three scholarships will be allotted to each of the American Legion Auxiliary’s five geographic divisions. Divisions and Member States - 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 Eligibility Requirements - Relationship: Applicants must be direct descendants of veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during periods that qualify for membership in The American Legion: April 6, 1917 — November 11, 1918; and any time after December 7, 1941. (Note: membership in The American Legion Family is not required to apply.) - Academic standing: Candidates must be in their senior year of high school at the time of application. - Enrollment intent: The scholarship supports study at an accredited institution of higher education. - Community service: Applicants are required to have completed 50 hours of volunteer service during their high school years. Those hours must be documented and verified in writing by the organization(s) that received the volunteer service. Screenshots of online portals are not acceptable evidence; consult the ALA Scholarship FAQs for acceptable verification examples. - Essays: Each essay response must contain at least 600 characters to ensure adequate depth. All essays will be evaluated for originality; the review process includes the use of AI-assisted tools to detect plagiarism and AI-generated content. Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated text will be disqualified. Application Deadline All materials must be submitted by March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern. Late submissions will not be considered. Judging Criteria Selections at all levels will be based on: - 40% Academic achievement - 30% Character and leadership - 30% Essay and application quality The judges’ decision is final. Required Attachments Applicants must include the following supporting documents with their submission: - Proof of the veteran’s service: a copy of the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214) or, for active-duty service members, a copy of the most recent set of orders. - High school transcripts: a copy or photocopy of the applicant’s most recent high school grades. - Volunteer verification: written documentation confirming completion of 50 volunteer hours during high school (see note above about screenshots). - Two letters of recommendation: - One from an educator or a spiritual advisor who can speak to the applicant’s academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership, and character. - A second from a non-family individual of the applicant’s choosing who can attest to the applicant’s conduct, citizenship, and leadership. Letters from family members will not be accepted. 2026 Essay Prompt As a descendant of a veteran, what lessons have you taken from your family’s military service? How have those lessons shaped your life, and in what ways do you plan to honor that legacy as you pursue your future goals? Notes - Awards are administered by the American Legion Auxiliary. - For clarification on acceptable volunteer documentation or other application questions, consult the ALA Scholarship FAQs or contact the American Legion Auxiliary scholarship office.