SCHOLARSHIPS

The VFW Auxiliary is proud to offer and participate in scholarship contests that promote patriotism, assist students in furthering their education and help students reach their full potential.

The Scholarship Program:

  • Promotes and conducts the VFW Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship.
    This scholarship is open to any VFW Auxiliary member (who has belonged for at least a year), his/her spouse, son or daughter with a financial need. Entrant must be at least 21 years old. A $1,250 scholarship will be awarded to an applicant in each of the four VFW Auxiliary Conferences.
  • National Continuing Education Application
  • State of SD Continuing Education Application (will be added at a later date)
  • Promotes and supports the VFW Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest - 2024-2025 Theme: "My Voice in America's Democracy?"
    This contest is open to all students, including home-schooled students, in grades 6-8. The national first-place winner will receive $5,000.     ***PLEASE NOTE: ENTRY FORMS AND ESSAYS FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA MUST BE SUMBMITTED THROUGH SCHOLARSAPP (see information in "Scholarships" section below).
  • Rules and Eligibility
  • Promotes and supports the VFW Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Contest - 2024-2025 Theme: "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"
    This contest is open to all students, including home-schooled students, in grades 9-12. The national first-place winner will receive a $35,000 scholarship.  ***PLEASE NOTE: ENTRY FORMS,  WRITTEN ESSAYS, AND AUDIO ESSAYS FOR THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA MUST BE SUMBMITTED THROUGH SCHOLARSAPP (see information in "Scholarships" section below).
  • Rules and Eligibility

VFW Auxiliary Members: Access Scholarship Program Resources HERE.

 
South Dakota
 
 
 
 

 
Scholarship Achievements Completed Reported
Publicize ALL Scholarships - provide types of publicity used (TV, radio, newspaper, school newsletter, fliers, Social Media.)    
Partner with VFW Post in promoting the Voice of Democracy audio-essay contest (include # of members and hours).    
Voice of Democracy entry sent to District level.    
Partner with VFW Post in promoting the Patriot's Pen essay contest (include # of members and hours).    
Patriot's Pen essay entry to District level.    
Promote Continuing Education Scholarship.    
Continuing Education Scholarship application sent to National.    
Promote Young American Creative Patriotic Art Scholarship.    
Report number of Young American Creative Patriotic Art entries submitted to the Auxiliary and amount of prize money awarded.    
Young American Creative Patriotic Art entry sent to Department Chairman.    
Promoted 3-Dimensional Patriotic Art Scholarship.    
Continuing Education Scholarship application sent to National.    
Host or co-host an awards ceremony for scholarship recipients and participants.    
Attend a School of Instruction event at District and/or Dept. Fall meetings.    

  Scholarships

Brochures & Forms

ScholarsApp (in process)

 
 

 2024-2025 TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM

 

Without our nation's veterans, America wouldn't be the great nation it is today.  Our youth deserve to learn about our rich history, traditions and the role of our veterans in creating and shaping America.

 

Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars will recognize and honor the top Elementary (K-5), Junior High (6-8), and High School (9-12) teacher of the year, who teaches citizenship and education topics, and promotes America’s history, traditions, and institutions.  Attributes considered will be the scope of the teaching on both the students and the community.


Who can submit

Fellow teachers, supervisors, or any other interested individual may submit nominations.  Self-submitted nominations are allowed.  

The individual making the nomination must submit the nominated teacher’s name on the completed VFW Teacher Nomination Form.  Included with the form is a 350 word or less description of why the nominee should be selected.  Describe the teacher’s innovative teaching and resource development methods, as well as his/her dedication to teaching.  Submit these to the local VFW Post no later than October 31, 2024.

 

Please review the new rules and eligibility requirements and download the 2024 entry form to nominate a teacher you know. Teacher nomination entries must be received at a local participating VFW Post by the Oct. 31 deadline.