VFW Scholarship Program – Voice of Democracy

Continuing our series on VFW Scholarship Programs, the Voice of Democracy is an audio essay contest established in 1947 for students in grades 9 through 12.  The student who wins this competition receives a $30,000 scholarship from the National VFW along with scholarship at the Post, District and State levels.

Voice of Democracy

As with the Patriot’s Pen competition, the process starts at the Post level and then proceeds to District, State and then National.  The applicant completes an application, provides a reading of their 3-5 minute essay on CD or flash drive and a transcript of their reading.  The entry to the Post closest to you is due by October 31 each year.  The post nearest you can assist as needed.

The panel of judges at each level grade on three criteria: originality, content and delivery.  The theme for this is released by the VFW in the Spring.

During the current Voice of Democracy competition, the winner of the Texas VFW contest won a $10,000 scholarship to an American university, college or vocational/technical school.  The winner and a parent or guardian also receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC for the National competition during the VFW Legislative Conference in February. The National competition grades audio essays from the 54 Departments of the VFW.

As with the Patriot’s Pen competition, the Voice of Democracy competition is approved by The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for its National Advisory List of Contests and Activities and this is expected to continue well into the future.