Hi there,
Most of the big scholarships I send you are for seniors.
This one isn't.
The VFW Voice of Democracy scholarship competition is open to eligible students in grades 9–12, and the national first-place award is $35,000.
But before your student starts writing, there are a few rules I really want you to know.
THIS WEEK'S SCHOLARSHIP →
VFW Voice of Democracy
National first-place award: $35,000
Who: Eligible students in grades 9–12
Deadline: October 31, 2026 at midnight
2026–27 theme: “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”
Application: A typed essay + a 3–5 minute audio recording
Where it goes: A participating local VFW Post—not directly to VFW National Headquarters.
A TIP FROM ME →
This is one of those scholarships where I would read the judging criteria before writing a single sentence.
Why?
Because only 30 points are based on content.
The other 70 points are split between:
Originality — 35 points
Delivery — 35 points
That tells your student something important.
This isn't simply:
“Write a great essay.”
They also need to think about how the essay sounds when spoken aloud.
The VFW says delivery should be clear and credible, while originality should show imagination and human interest.
So after your student has written the essay, I would have them practice reading it aloud.
Does it sound natural?
Are there sentences that look good on paper but feel awkward when spoken?
Are they rushing?
Can you hear them in it?
For this particular competition, the recording isn't an afterthought.
It's part of what they're being judged on.
SCOUT CAUGHT THIS →
This is exactly why I don't like sending families giant lists of scholarship links.
Finding a scholarship is only the first step. The details matter.
When I checked this one for Scholarship Scout AI, several rules stood out:
Your student must be the sole author.
The VFW specifically says inappropriate use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed.
The essay must also remain anonymous. Students should not include identifying information such as their name, address, or school in the essay.
And the entry must begin at the VFW Post level. Students shouldn't simply send an application to VFW National Headquarters.
Those are exactly the kinds of details I want families to know before a student spends hours on an application.
Not more scholarships. Scholarships you can trust.
IF YOUR STUDENT WANTS TO APPLY →
Here's what I would do this week, not October 30:
1. Read the official rules together.
Make sure your student is eligible before doing the work.
2. Find a participating VFW Post.
This is important. Individual students can submit directly to a participating Post, and the local Post provides instructions for turning in the entry. The current rules also say some Posts may allow electronic submission, including through the Scholars App, but students need information from their local Post first.
3. Talk to a veteran.
The prompt isn't simply asking your student to define patriotism.
It's:
“What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”
Before drafting, I would encourage your student to think about the veterans they actually know—a grandparent, neighbor, teacher, coach, family friend, or someone in the community.
What did that person teach them?
What story or conversation stayed with them?
What did it make them understand differently?
That's where I would begin.
And because of the VFW's AI rule, let your student's thinking and writing remain their own.
ONE MORE THING →
Don't assume your student needs a perfect résumé to look at this.
A freshman can apply.
A sophomore can apply.
A junior can apply.
A senior can apply.
So if you normally skim past scholarship emails because you think:
“My student isn't a senior yet.”
Don't skim past this one.
And if your student isn't interested, think about another family who might be.
Forward this email to them.
Angela Robles
College Funding & Essay Coach
The College Cost Hack
COMING SATURDAY →
I'm going back to the college list.
Because there's a number I want families to find for every college their student is considering—and it isn't the acceptance rate or the sticker price.
It can tell you something much more useful about whether that college may actually be affordable.
I'll show you where to find it Saturday.
