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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)

Voice of Democracy audio-essay scholarship contest (grades 9-12)

High school students record a short audio essay on a patriotic theme and turn it in to a local VFW Post. Winners move up from Post to state to national, with scholarships at the state and national levels.

Amount
National first place $35,000 scholarship; other national scholarships up to $21,000; each state (VFW Department) first place at least $1,000 plus a trip to Valley Forge
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‑opStudents in grades 9-12 at private schools or in a home study program. Entered through a local VFW Post, not through the school.?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.

  • ?Local Post and state prize amounts below the national level are set locally

How to apply

  1. Step 1: Download the 2026-2027 entry form
  2. Step 2: Record the audio 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

“The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12 by the Oct. 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States”
In the funder’s own words, from vfw-org-hqagarhxahbybyd9.z01.azurefd.net, checked Oct 10, 2026.
  • Grades 9-12
  • Audio essay on the yearly theme
  • Completed 2026-2027 entry form
  • Enter through one local VFW Post

Timing

Entry 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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