The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is now accepting applications/entries for its 2026-2027 Voice of Democracy (VOD) and Patriot's Pen youth Essay Scholarship Competitions. The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation.
The Voice of Democracy 2026-27 audio-essay competition, theme question, is "What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” and is open to all students in grades 9-12. Each State winner competed for the top national Grand Prize of a $35,000 scholarship. Additional scholarship of between $1,000 and $21,000 are also awarded at the national level and the first place winner from each VFW Department (State) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000.
Students in grades 6-8 competed in the Patriot's Pen Written Essay Competition by answering this year's 2026-27 theme question "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?" Entrants compete for the top Grand Prize award of $5,000; however, each year, more than 60,000 students in sixth through eighty grades enter the VFW's Patriot's Pen annual youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of Nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place Department (State) Patriot's Pen winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000.
The Deadline for this year competitions will be: October 31, 2026
If you have any questions contact, Committee Chairman, John Tull at 505-249-6104. Mr. Tull must receive your completed Entry Form and essays no later than 6:00 p.m. on October 31, 2026.
For additional information about these essay competitions and links to the entry form, go the VFW National website for Youth Scholarships click the link below:
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