The American Legion Legacy Scholarship
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. The 2025-26 tuition is capped at $28,937.09 which is the maximum amount the VA will pay out per academic year. https://www.va.gov/education/benefit-rates/post-9-11-gi-bill-rates/#how-much-of-the-full-benefit-r
About
Children, adopted child or stepchild of U.S. military members who died while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.
Children, adopted child or stepchild 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.
Each needs-based scholarship provides up to $20,000 for children of the fallen, and up to $5,000 for children of the disabled for undergraduate or post-graduate college. Recipients may reapply for additional annual awards up to six times.
The application deadline is NO LATER THAN Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Scholarship awards must be used before August 1, 2026. After administrative review and approval, scholarship recipients will be notified of their scholarship award between May 9 and May 19, 2025, via the email used on the application. Please check spam/junk folders if you do not see an email by late May.
Eligibility Information
- 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 Student Aid Index (SAI). For 2024, the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be accepted.
- 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 Student Aid Index (SAI).
- 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 and/or NGB Form 22 showing dates of service and condition of discharge
More Information
Total number of scholarships awarded in 2024: 506
Total amount of scholarship funds awarded in 2024: $1,645,558*
Total number of scholarships awarded since inception: 1,331
Total amount of scholarship funds awarded since inception: $7,892,400*
*subject to final audit
This information may be updated throughout the year to reflect any changes or to add additional information.
Please read all the above before applying for the Legacy Scholarship.