The American Legion scholarship supports higher learning for children of veterans who died on or after 9/11, or have a VA disability rating of 50% or greater.
The American Legion Legacy Scholarship is awarding over $1.7 million to 669 military children for higher learning, a record amount in the number of applicants receiving the scholarship in its 24-year history. Americanism Commission Chairman Mark Avis announced this significant honor to members of the National Executive Committee gathered at National Headquarters on May 6 for the annual Spring Meetings.
“It is my honor to tell you that every child who demonstrated a need will receive funds,” Avis shared.
For the 2026 Legacy Scholarship year, 927 completed the scholarship application and 669 demonstrated a financial need. Recipients included 18 children of the fallen, and 651 children of post-9/11 service-connected veterans.
Eligible recipients of the scholarship are children of veterans who died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001, or children of post-9/11 veterans who have a combined Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating of 50 percent or higher. The needs-based scholarship supports the expense of graduate or post-graduate tuition, books, room and board, meal plans and other supplies. The grant amount each scholarship recipient receives is based on his or her financial need after all federal and state aid is exhausted.
Legacy Scholarship recipients have a year to use the grant, and those eligible can reapply up to six times.
Since its inception in 2002, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship has provided over 1,890 military children of fallen and disabled post-9/11 veterans over $9.6 million in aid for higher learning. The 2027 American Legion Legacy Scholarship application will open Jan. 1, 2027. Learn more here.
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