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.

WHO

Children of U.S. military members who died while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

Children 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.

WHAT

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.

WHEN

The application deadline is April 1st. Scholarship awards must be used within one year. Winners are announced each May.

Eligibility and Required Application Materials

Children of fallen post-9/11 servicemembers

Children of post-9/11 veterans VA-rated 50% or higher disabled

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 Expected Family Contribution
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 Expected Family Contribution
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 showing dates of service and condition of discharge

Children of fallen post-9/11 servicemembers

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 Expected Family Contribution
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
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

Children of post-9/11 veterans VA-rated 50% or higher disabled

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 Expected Family Contribution
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
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

Deadline:
All applications new or renewal must be submitted using the online scholarship submission system beginning January 1 and NO LATER THAN April 1st.

The Legacy Scholarship online application is now closed.

2022 American Legion Legacy Scholarship Information
Total number of scholarships awarded in 2022: 71
Total amount of scholarship funds awarded in 2022: $705,938*
Total number of scholarships awarded since inception: 433
Total amount of scholarship funds awarded since inception: $4,056,793*

*subject to final audit

Download the 2022 Legacy Scholarship Annual Report

Frequently Asked Questions and More Information
This information may be updated throughout the year to reflect any changes or to add additional information.