All funding
PrizeWhere: National: schools in any US stateWho gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolClosed for this round
The American Legion
National High School Oratorical Contest
High school students give a prepared speech and an assigned-topic speech on the U.S. Constitution, starting at a local American Legion Post. State winners go to the national contest with travel paid and earn college scholarships.
- Amount
- National winner $25,000 scholarship, second $22,500, third $20,000; each state winner in the national first round $2,000, plus $2,000 more for advancing; over $203,500 a year
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Next round not posted
- Who this fits
- Microschool · Private school · Homeschool co‑opGrades 9-12 at private schools or home school; must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
- New schools
- Brand-new schools can apply
- Where
- National: schools in any US state
- Last checked
- Oct 10, 2026on legion.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Arkansas department and local Post deadlines for 2026-27
- Any local or state prize money below the national level
What to do now
- Step 1: Read the rules and assigned topics on legion.org
- Step 2: Contact the Arkansas American Legion department or a local Post for the local contest date
- Step 3: Prepare the oration and practice the assigned topics
- Step 4: Compete at the Post level and advance
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“any student under the age of 20 years on the date of the national contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or home school)”
- Grades 9-12, under age 20 on the national contest date
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Prepared oration plus assigned topic discourse on the Constitution
Timing
Starts at the local Post level and goes to state contests; local and Arkansas deadlines are set by the Post and the Arkansas department (not posted on the national page). 2027 National Finals May 14-16 at Hillsdale College, Michigan.