From the post to national level, The American Legion support youth nationwide through scholarships.
About 4,500 students across the country received access to higher education in 2025 thanks to the efforts of The American Legion. In all, students received nearly $9 million in college aid from American Legion national and local post programs.
At the national level, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship led this effort with a record $1.7 million in financial aid awarded to 559 children of fallen or disabled post-9/11 veterans. Following this was the Samsung American Legion Scholarship that awarded $251,250 in scholarships to 101 high school students who attended either Legion Boys State or Auxiliary Girls State; then the National Oratorical Contest, awarding $197,500 among 51 high school students who spoke on the U.S. Constitution.
At the post level, according to the 2025 American Legion Consolidated Post Report (CPR), posts awarded over $6.6 million in scholarships to 3,746 students. Approximately 70% of American Legion posts submitted CPRs.
American Legion youth scholarships available at the national level:
American Legion Legacy Scholarship. A needs-based scholarship for children of a parent who lost their lives while honorably serving on active military duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or children of a post-9/11 veteran with a combined Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating of 50% or greater. Children of the fallen receive up to $20,000 scholarship; children of the disabled recieve up $5,000.
Samsung American Legion Scholarship. Available for high school juniors who participate in the current session of American Legion Boys State or Auxiliary Girls State and are a direct descendant (or legally adopted child) of a U.S. military veteran who served honorably and eligible for American Legion membership. Scholarships of up to $10,000 are awarded.
National Oratorical Contest. High school students enter this competition at the post level where they develop an understanding of the U.S. Constitution by preparing an oration on an aspect of it. A finalist from each participating department advances to the national contest in Hillsdale, Mich., where they compete for up to $203,500 in scholarships.
Junior Shooting Sports Program. The top 30 competitors from the air rifle postal competition advance to the national tournament in Hillsdale, Mich., where first and second-place finishers receive scholarships.
Legion Baseball. About 3,000 teams participate in this program for a chance to be one of eight teams advancing to the American Legion World Series in Shelby, N.C. Scholarships are awarded to the American Legion Baseball All-Academic Team.
Boys Nation. Rising high school juniors become part of the operation of local, county and state government during Boys State with two delegates from each department program attending Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., for a week to receive an education on the structure and function of federal government. Scholarships are awarded to Boys Nation elected leaders.
Scouting. An Eagle Scout of the Year is named and is awarded $10,000, while three runners-up each receive $2,500.
- Scholarships