Voice of Democracy

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program. Each year, nearly 57,000 high school students compete for more than $2 million in scholarships and incentives. Students compete by writing and recording an audio essay on an annual patriotic theme. This year’s theme is, "How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

CRITERIA: The Voice of Democracy is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions. Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent residence (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen at the earliest opportunity allowed by law. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners, GED or Adult Education Students are not eligible for entry.

HOW TO SUBMIT: Students will submit their Voice of Democracy entries utilizing the Scholar’s App Scholarship Platform, an electronic scholarship entry and tracking platform. Each Post will have their own flyer with a QR code for the Voice of Democracy scholarship program. Students will use the QR code to open the program and complete the recording, typed essay and the completed entry form. Once completed the student will upload it to their local Post for Judging.

Once the essay is uploaded students can track the progress of their essays and if necessary, make changes or corrections.

You must be the sole author of your essay. Inappropriate use of Chat GPT or other AI tools is not allowed. The recording must be in your own voice and in English. Hearing/speech impaired students should email the Voice of Democracy National Office at youthscholarships@vfw.org for special instructions. No music, singing, poetry or sound effects are allowed. The body of the essay must not identify you in any way, (including, but not limited to your name, school, city, state, race, or national origin.

In the event a student cannot use Scholar’s App they may submit their entry form, essay, and recorded essay via email or hard copy with the essay on a thumb drive to their local Post for judging. Please ensure your recording and typed essay is labeled with your name.

If submitting to a school/group competition for judging. Submit the hardcopy as outlined above.

DEADLINES: The following deadlines shall be adhered to:

October 31, 2025 – Student entries to the Post
November 15, 2025 – Post winner submitted to the District
December 15, 2025 – District winners submitted to the Department
January 10, 2026 – Completion of Department judging
January 10, 2026 – District participation reports due to Department Chairperson
January 15, 2026 – Department winners submitted to National
January 31, 2026 – Department reports due to National

ALL-AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS: Post must submit one candidate to District for judging and make a report via the VFW.org (National) Program Reporting Tool (formerly All American Dashboard).

ALL-STATE REQUIREMENTS: Post must submit one candidate to District for judging, make a report via the Department reporting system, and the District Chairperson must annotate the Post’s participation on the District participation report.

District must submit one candidate to Department for judging.

AWARDS: Monetary awards at the Post and District level are subject to the approval of the Post or District membership. As for Department, the following is the monetary award:

The first-place winner at the state competition will receive a check for $2,000.00.
Each of the four other finalists will receive a check for $1,000.00.
The remaining District winners will each receive a check for $500.00.

Each first place Department (state) winner is brought to Washington, D.C. in February to enjoy our nation’s capital and compete for $171,000 in national college scholarships— first place receiving $35,000. Each state winner will receive at least $1,000 at the national level.