American Legion Auxiliary Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship

The American Legion Auxiliary's Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship gives fifteen $5,000 gift scholarships a year, three in each of the Auxiliary's five geographic divisions. It is open to high school seniors who are direct descendants of a veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during American Legion eligibility dates (World War I, or any time after December 7, 1941), so a grandparent's or parent's wartime-era service qualifies. Membership in the American Legion family is not required. Applicants need 50 hours of community volunteer service during high school, verified in writing by the organization served, plus proof of the veteran's service, a transcript and two letters of recommendation. Essay answers must be at least 600 characters, and heavy use of AI leads to disqualification. Judging weighs character and leadership 30 percent, the essay and application 30 percent and academics 40 percent. The money goes to the college for the first semester. Applications post in early October and are due March 1 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Other deadlines near this one

• American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship
  Due March 1, 2027 · $10,000 (winner); $2,500 (3 runners-up)
• Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship
  Due March 1, 2027 · Up to $10,000 a year for 4 years ($40,000 total)
• Coastal Bend Community Foundation Scholarships
  Due March 1, 2027 · $100 to $16,000 by fund (average about $1,000)

How hard is the American Legion Auxiliary Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship to win?

A large applicant pool chases this award. Apply if the student is a genuinely strong fit, but build the plan around better-odds awards first.

What drives the odds here

Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.

• More rivalsOpen nationwide, so the field is large
• Fewer rivalsAn essay is required, which filters out casual applicants
• Fewer rivalsRecommendation letters are required, a step many applicants skip
• Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
• Fewer rivalsRequires a military or national-service connection
• Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only

How Solyo estimates this: We model the applicant field from how narrow the eligibility rules are, then divide the awards available by that field. Requirements such as essays and recommendation letters improve a serious applicant’s odds, because most browsers never complete them. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.

Who can apply for the American Legion Auxiliary Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship?

These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.

• ✓Open to high school seniors
• ✓For active-duty military or veteran families

What the application takes

• Essay required.
• 2 letters of recommendation. Ask teachers or counselors early; good letters take time.
• Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.

Deadline and application cycle

The current deadline is March 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 1 each year. Applications open Early October.

Application posted

Early October 2026

Application deadline

March 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern

Common questions about the American Legion Auxiliary Children of Warriors National Presidents' Scholarship

More military & service families

• American Legion Legacy Scholarship
  Up to $20,000 (fallen) / up to $5,000 (disabled) · due March 25, 2027
• Arkansas Heroes Scholarship
  In-state tuition, on-campus housing and mandatory fees · due July 1, 2027
• Army ROTC 4-Year High School Scholarship
  Full tuition and fees (or room and board) + stipends · due March 4, 2027
• Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship
  $2,500 or $5,000 per year · due April 1, 2027
• Delaware Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others
  Tuition and fees · due May 15, 2027
• Dolphin Scholarship
  $3,000 to $4,500 per year, renewable · due March 15, 2027

Lists this award appears on

• Scholarships for Military Families and Veterans
• Scholarships With March Deadlines