Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000!
The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief.
This year, students MUST submit their entries through Scholar's App. Instructions for Scholar's App can be found here. Use the QR code located on this flyer to submit your application.
For an overview of the requirements, you can download the 2025-2026 entry form here. Applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. If you have any questions, please send an email to vfwpost12223@gmail.com.
