Voice of Democracy Program
VFW Lilac Post 5815 and its Auxiliary invite all high school students in Lombard, including home-schooled students, to participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition.
The theme for 2026-2027 is "What a Veteran Taught me about America?'" All entries must be received by the post by midnight, October 31, 2026.
Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 57,000 students in grades 9-12 from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.
The national first-place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$16,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins a minimum scholarship of $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Want to apply? Students in the Lombard, Illinois area should download the form 2026-2027 Voice of Democracy Eligibliity, Rules and Entry Form, and read and follow the rules on the form by midnight October 31, 2026.
Students elsewhere can download this form and use the website at https://www.vfw.org/find-a-post to find a sponsoring VFW Post in their area.
All student entries must be received by a sponsoring local VFW Post by midnight, Oct. 31, 2026.
This page last updated August 4, 2026.
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