The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania is providing high school students up to thirteen scholarship opportunities that they can apply for.
Open to High School Students Grades 9-12
One of the opportunities that are available for students in grades nine through 12 would be the “American Legion Department of Pennsylvania HS Essay Contest.” Applications are due by Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. If a student’s essay places in the top three, they will receive scholarship money. The first place essayist will win $3,500, second place will receive $3,000 and third place will receive $2,500.
Another opportunity that grades nine through 12 can participate in is the “American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Department of Pennsylvania HS Essay Contest.” The exact due date for applications is not clear, but will be due at some point in February of 2026. This scholarship also awards money to the top three essays. First place will receive $100, second will receive $50, and third will receive $25.
The next opportunity is available for high school students from the age of 15 to 18. The “Robert Trace HS Essay Contest” allows for applications through May 31, 2026, and students have the opportunity to win up to $500.
High schoolers that are 15 years old and have earned their “Scouts BSA Religious Award for faith” are eligible for the “American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship.” Applications will be accepted from now until March 1, 2026. The department winner will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship and sent to compete at the national level.
The next opportunity is the “American Legion Department of Pennsylvania State Police Youth Week (SPYW).” This event is open to 15 through 17 year old boys and girls. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, May 14, 2026. There are three $1,000 scholarships that can be won at this event.
Scholarships for the Class of 2027
Boys in the class of 2027 have an opportunity called “American Legion Department of Pennsylvania Keystone Boys State.” Applications for this event will be accepted until May 30, 2026. Participants that are descendants of veterans are eligible to compete for a portion of the $250,000 “National Samsung American Legion Scholarship” pool.
Girls in the class of 2027 can apply for a similar opportunity called the “American Legion Department of Pennsylvania Keystone Girls State.” Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2026. The scholarship opportunities are the same as the boys opportunities, and participants in this scholarship who are veteran descendents are also eligible to compete for a portion of the $250,000 “National Samsung American Legion Scholarship” pool.
Senior Scholarship Possibilities
Seniors also have several opportunities available to them. The “Dr. Almo Sebastianelli Drum Corps Scholarship” applications will be accepted on or before May 1, 2026. The scholarship offers $500 for students pursuing higher education and majoring in music. The other opportunities for seniors are the “Joseph P. Gavenonis Scholarship Endowment Plan # 1” and the “Robert W. Valemont Scholarship Endowment Plan # 2.” Applications for students of these scholarships will be due on or before May 31, 2026. If students participate in plan one, students have the chance to receive $500 per semester for a four-year college. If a student participates in plan two, students can receive $600 for a two-year community college.
For Athletes: Take a Shot at Scholarship Money
Any student-athlete playing baseball is eligible for the “American Legion Baseball (ALB) Scholarship.” The ALB scholarship winners will receive $500. Eight players selected by a committee at ALB World Series will receive an additional $2,500 scholarship. A ninth player, selected as the most outstanding member of the “All-Academic” team, will be awarded an additional $5,000 scholarship.
