The Patriots Pen scholarship program in an essay competition open to students in 6th through 8th grades who are enrolled in public, private, parochial schools, or home study programs in the United States and its territories. The national first place prize scholarship totaling $5,000 and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (State) being awarded a scholarship of at least $500.  

The 2024-25 Patriots Pen scholarship competition theme is:

"My Voice in America's Democracy?”

Before submitting your essay, download the 2024-2025 entry form here and find your sponsoring local VFW Post here.

Virginia is beginning implementation of VFW's new scholarship management system, Scholar’s App. This is an online platform that is intended to not only streamline the application submission and judging processes for the scholarship program, but it will also expose the students to a wide range of scholarship opportunities once they create an account on the system. Please go to our ScholarsApp page for more information on the new system here.

While we encourage the use of the new system for applicants, the traditional method of paper and electronic submission of applications will still be accepted at the local Posts this year. 

Applications/Essays are due to your local VFW Post by 31 October!

JUDGING CRITERIA:

Knowledge of the theme - 30 points: You must show a thorough knowledge of the theme in your work. Demonstrate you have researched the issue extensively.

Theme development - 35 points: Answer all relevant facts about the theme such as the who, what, where, when, and why. Relate the theme to your own experiences.

Clarity of ideas - 35 points: Write your essay in an easy-to-understand format. Leave your reader with a clear understanding of your explanation of the theme.