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PrizeWhere: NationalNational: schools in any US state!Who gets the money: Goes to the student, not the schoolOpen

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Patriot's Pen youth essay contest (grades 6-8)

Middle school students write a 300 to 400 word essay on a patriotic theme and enter through a local VFW Post. Prizes are awarded at the local, state and national levels.

Amount
National first place $5,000; each state (VFW Department) first place winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level; more than $1 million in local and national awards
Can a for-profit school apply?
?Unclear: ask the funder
Deadline
Oct 31, 2026 (20 days left)
Who this fits
Microschool · Private school · Homeschool co‑opThe entry form says the contest is open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in public, private or parochial schools, and home-schooled students also are eligible.?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 vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net
Apply on the funder’s site↗(opens vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net in a new tab)Add to calendarAdd deadline to my calendar

Unconfirmed: check with the funder

We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.

  • ?Whether national awards are paid as cash or savings bonds is not stated on the page

How to apply

  1. Step 1: Download the 2026-2027 entry form
  2. Step 2: Write the essay on this year's theme
  3. Step 3: Find a participating local VFW Post
  4. Step 4: Turn in the essay and form to the Post by midnight Oct. 31

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“Home-schooled students also are eligible.”
In the funder’s own words, from vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net, checked Oct 10, 2026.
  • Grades 6-8
  • 300 to 400 word essay on the yearly theme
  • Completed 2026-2027 entry form
  • One entry per year through one Post

Timing

300 to 400 word essay plus entry form due to a local participating VFW Post by midnight Oct. 31, 2026. 2026-27 theme: "What a Veteran Taught Me About America."

Not legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

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Homebook Funding Helper

This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

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