The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship program in 1947. The VFW became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. The competition was created to allow students in grades 9-12 to express themselves regarding democratic ideas and principles. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships ranges from $1,000-$16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000. Want to apply? Read the rules and eligibility requirements, and download and complete the 2021-2022 Voice of Democracy entry form as all student entries must be submitted to our VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31. Submission may be mailed to the address below or emailed to CMD@vfw152.org
The 2021-22 theme is:
America: Where Do We Go From Here?
About the 2020-2021 winner ...
Erin Stoeckig, a high school junior from Mayo High School in Rochester, Minnesota, was named the 2020-2021 Voice of Democracy first-place winner. Erin's speech on the theme, "Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?" won her a $30,000 college scholarship. Erin was sponsored by VFW Post 1215 and its Auxiliary in Rochester, Minnesota. Watch as Erin delivered her speech during the VFW's first-ever virtual Parade of Winner's award ceremony, live on Facebook.
Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the Parade of Winner's ceremony, which was streamed live on Facebook, see this year's complete list of winners, or listen to the winning essay from your state.
Attention Teachers!
The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities for 2020-2021. We thank all of America's teachers and youth leaders for the time, effort, and commitment they invest in our young people each year. We have several ways to assist you in helping to ensure your students get a head start on their future.
