American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
Offered by The American Legion Department of Texas · Free to apply
This constitutional speech competition is open to Texas high school students in grades 9–12 sponsored by a local American Legion Post. Contestants deliver prepared and assigned speeches regarding the U.S. Constitution, competing through local, district, and division stages to reach the state finals. Winners receive college scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 from the Department of Texas, with opportunities to advance to national awards.
Other deadlines near this one
How hard is the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program 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. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure.
- Odds
- no published selection data
- Paperwork
- ~3 hrs to file
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.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Texas residents
- Fewer rivalsAn essay is required, which filters out casual applicants
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 High School Oratorical Scholarship Program?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Texas
- Open to high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors
- Must be enrolled in grades 9 through 12 in a public, private, charter, or home school and sponsored by a local American Legion Post.
- Winners must enter college within one year after high school graduation to receive their scholarship funds.
- Local contests in Texas must be completed by December 5, 2026, leading to District, Division, and State Finals in early 2027.
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
- Essay required.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is December 5, 2026. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around December 5 each year. Applications typically open in November.
- Applications open
- November 2026
- Applications close
- December 5, 2026
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
How much is the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program worth?
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program awards $500 to $2,000.
When is the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program deadline?
The current deadline is December 5, 2026. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around December 5 each year. Applications typically open in November.
When do American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program applications open?
Applications typically open in November, and close December 5, 2026.
Who is eligible for the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Texas; Open to high school freshmen, high school sophomores, high school juniors, and high school seniors.
Does the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program require an essay?
Yes. The application requires an essay. Expect to spend about 3 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program?
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. No published applicant or winner counts exist for this award, so Solyo shows no odds figure. What is known: open only to Texas residents and an essay is required, which filters out casual applicants. Plan on about 3 hrs of work.
Is the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program free to apply?
Yes. The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More essay contests
- American Legion Montana Government Essay Contest$150 to $400 · due March 1, 2027
- American Legion National High School Oratorical ContestUp to $25,000 (state winners $2,000+) · due December 1, 2026
- Americanism Essay Contest$500 to $1,500 · due December 1, 2026
- Anthem Essay ContestUp to $2,000 · due April 30, 2027
- Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship$1,000 · due December 31, 2026
- Atlas Shrugged Essay ContestUp to $25,000 grand prize · due April 30, 2027
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.