Scholarships

Scholarship information on the Legion website.

The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. Each year, the Legion facilitates the awarding of millions of dollars in scholarships to high school students. There are opportunities for everyone, including kin of wartime veterans and participants in Legion programs.

American Legion Legacy Scholarship.

Thank you for your interest in the American Legion Legacy Scholarship. The window for application submission was January 1, 2023 to April 1, 2023. The application deadline for 2022 has passed and the application will not be open until January 1, 2023 for the 2023 fall semester. We wish you the best in your educational endeavors.

The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship designed to fulfill a financial gap remaining after all federal and state educational grants/scholarships available to an eligible applicant have been utilized.

WHO

Children of U.S. military members who died while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Children of post-9/11 veterans having been assigned a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater by the Department of Veterans Affairs also qualify.

WHAT

Each needs-based scholarship provides up to $20,000 in aid for undergraduate or post-graduate college. Recipients may reapply for additional annual awards up to six times.

WHEN

The application deadline is April 1st. Scholarship awards must be used within one year. Winners are announced each May.

Eligibility and Required Application Materials

Children of fallen post-9/11 servicemembers

Children of post-9/11 veterans VA-rated 50% or higher disabled

Child/children or legally adopted child/children or the child of a spouse by prior marriage or dependent child as defined by the United States Armed Services of active duty United States military and National Guard and military reservists, who were federalized and died on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001
Official (Form DD1300) military death certificate
FAFSA Summary showing Expected Family Contribution
If applicable, any award notifications from federal or state veteran benefits programs (for example, The Gunnery Sergeant Fry Scholarship, GI-Bill benefits, etc.)
Financial Aid Package notification from their prospective/current institution of higher education for the upcoming school year
Breakdown of all education-related expenses to include but not limited to tuition, fees, books, program costs, meal plan, housing and transportation
High school senior or high school graduate currently accepted or attending an accredited institution of higher education within the United States

Child/children or legally adopted child/children or the child of a spouse by prior marriage or dependent child as defined by the United States Armed Services of active duty United States military and National Guard and military reservists, who were federalized and received an injury while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001 leading to a Department of Veteran Affairs disability rating of 50 percent or higher
Official disability rating paperwork from VA
FAFSA Summary showing Expected Family Contribution
If applicable, any award notifications from federal or state veteran benefits programs (for example, GI-Bill benefits, etc.)
Financial Aid Package notification from their prospective/current institution of higher education for the upcoming school year
Breakdown of all education-related expenses to include but not limited to tuition, fees, books, program costs, meal plan, housing and transportation
High school senior or high school graduate currently accepted or attending an accredited institution of higher education within the United States
DD214 showing dates of service and condition of discharge

Deadline:
All applications new or renewal must be submitted using the online scholarship submission system beginning January 1 and NO LATER THAN April 1st.

2021 American Legion Legacy Scholarship Information
Total number of scholarships awarded in 2021: 32
Total amount of scholarship funds awarded in 2021: $357,229*
Total number of scholarships awarded since inception: 433
Total amount of scholarship funds awarded since inception: $4,056,793*

*subject to final audit

Download the 2020 Annual Report

Frequently Asked Questions and More Information
This information may be updated throughout the year to reflect any changes or to add additional information.

American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.

Boys State has been a program of The American Legion since 1935 when it organized to counter the Fascist inspired Young Pioneer Camps. The program was the idea of two Illinois Legionnaires, Hayes Kennedy and Harold Card, who organized the first Boys State at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young ladies called Girls State. At American Legion Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen. The training is objective and practical with city, county and state governments operated by the students elected to the various offices. Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.

High school juniors are selected by local American Legion Posts to attend the program. In most cases, expenses associated with attending this program are paid by a sponsoring American Legion Post, a local business or another community-based organization.

American Legion Boys State is currently conducted in 49 Departments of The American Legion. Hawaii does not conduct a program. As separate corporations, Boys States vary in content and method of procedure, but each and every Boys State adheres to the basic concept of the program - that of teaching government from the township to the state level.

Stanley Johnson Nursing / Health Science Scholarship

The Stanley Johnson Nursing / Health Science Scholarship is awarded to the student who continues his/her higher education pursuing a degree in nursing/medical or health science fields.

Stanley Johnson came to the United States from England at the age of 15. He worked for many years at the U.S. Challenge Company in Batavia, Illinois and later at Burgess-Norton in Geneva, Illinois. Stanley Johnson so loved this country that he joined the United States Armed Forces in World War I.

After being honorably discharged Stanley married Hattie Swan and together they worked tirelessly for the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary. Stanley served 52 years as Treasurer American Legion Post 504.

This scholarship was established by the Johnson's in honor of his niece, Jean Johnson, who was a British nurse. Because of the importance of encouraging our youth to become future doctors, nurses or other health related professionals American Legion Post ___ has continued awarding this scholarship to date.

Other American legion Scholarships