PATRIOT'S PEN YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP

 

 

May be an image of 4 people and text that says 'VFW VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS. 2025-2026 COMPETITION PATRIOT'S PEN Post 5076 'VFW made it possible for me Ao to college.' Rachel 2020 Prize Winner APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31, 2025 ELIGIBILITY Students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents have applied for permanent residence (for which the application has not been denied) and intend become U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity. PATRIOT'S PEN Open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students enrolled by the Oct. 31st deadline Submit 300 400-word essay This year's theme is, 'How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?' National Prize is currently $5,000 bit.ly/4mA4NX8'


Each year, more than 60,600 students in sixth through eighth 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 state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The essay contest 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. Students interested in participating must submit their essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed 2025-2026 entry form, to their local participating VFW Post. Read the Patriot's Pen rules here. Find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. 

 

The 2025-26 theme is: 
"How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”