Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States/Tuition assistance
VFW Patriot's Pen
Amount variesNot guaranteedLimited number available
A written essay contest for years six to eight, sharing more than a million dollars. Every state first place winner receives at least 500 dollars and the national winner receives 5,000. It is 300 to 400 words, and entries close on 31 October.
500 dollars is the least a state first place winner receives at national level, and 5,000 is the national first prize. More than 800,000 students enter each year, so most receive nothing.
Closes in 13 days, 31 October 2026
What you need
The official page does not list required documents. Check the official page before you apply, since a provider can ask for paperwork it does not publish.
How to apply
- 1Write 300 to 400 words on this year's themeThe 2026 to 2027 theme is “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”. Written rather than recorded, which is the difference from Voice of Democracy.
- 2Submit it to a local participating VFW PostWith the completed entry form, to the Post that sponsors your area rather than to the national organisation.
Where this comes from
- Last checked by SCRN
- 2026-09-03Verified null days ago
- How it was verified
- Checked against the official page by a person at SCRN
- Source level
- Provider verifiedRead from the provider's own page.
- Deadline
- 31 October 2026Entries must reach a participating VFW Post by midnight on 31 October, the same date as Voice of Democracy.
- How often
- annual