The Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars premier scholarship program since 1947. 9th through 12th grade students compete for more than $2.1 million in college scholarships and awards by writing and recording a broadcast script on a patriotic theme.

The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. Other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first-place winner from Colorado wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet and other state first place winners in the national competition.

The all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. includes four fun-filled days of tours, visits to monuments, meeting with heads of state and often the President or Vice President of the United States. The National Judging is held in Washington, D.C. prior to the students' arrival and the winners are announced at a special reception in their honor. In June, each state winner is invited to the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Freedom and Leadership Youth Conference. The three-day conference allows participating students the opportunity to converse with experts on current issues of citizenship, tour the Philadelphia and Valley Forge historic sites and participate in seminars designed to develop leadership skills and understand the value of community service. The foundations of American democracy and the elements of the free enterprise system will also be explored through thought provoking lectures and workshops.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to students in grades 9-12, who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial high school or a home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or in an overseas U.S. military/civilian dependent school. Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over and previous Voice of Democracy first place state winners are ineligible.

What do students need to enter?

Please note that all are to be judged through the Scholars App online system who has partnered with the VFW for the Voice of Democracy program.

The 2024 - 2025 theme: "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

Read the rules and eligibility requirements

Click here for the entry form! 2024 - 2025 Voice of Democracy

Create an account or log in, then follow the directions on the forms that open. Using the Scholars App through this page will result in your entry going to the closest VFW Post from your address.

Deadline: Submit your entry to a local VFW Post via Scholarship App by October 31st.

If you have a Post you want your entry to go to, please go to that Post’s website, if needed search for it here. Find a local VFW Post at www.vfw.org/find-a-post