(Photo: American Legion Auxiliary California Girls State)
The Samsung American Legion Scholarship has officially opened its online applications for high school students attending the American Legion Boys & Girls State or Auxiliary Girls State program this summer. This scholarship honors and supports the descendants of U.S. Military Veterans who served honorably during specified periods of war.
Eligibility for the scholarship extends to students in their junior and senior years of high school who attend the current session of either an American Legion Boys & Girls State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program. Direct descendants of wartime U.S. Military Veterans, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, are eligible, with stepchildren and legally adopted children also considered. Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War Era Veterans will receive three bonus points during the selection process.
The deadline for submitting online applications with all materials required to be completed before 11:59 p.m. (local time) on Day 1 of the respective American Legion Boys & Girls State or Auxiliary Girls State program. Applicants are encouraged to ensure timely submission, as no modifications or deadline extensions will be granted under any circumstances.
To apply for the 2024 Samsung American Legion Scholarship application, readers can click here.
The application process requires proof of service documentation, with acceptable documents including Form DD214, official discharge certificates, military IDs, and more. Unacceptable documents include obituaries, pictures of military headstones, and entries in non-military or non-official records.
The scholarship offers financial support for undergraduate studies, covering expenses such as room and board, tuition, and books. The selection process is based on the applicant’s engagement in school and community activities, academic achievements, and financial need.
A finalist from each state participating in the Boys and Girls State programs will be selected for the Samsung American Legion Scholarship. The Committee on Youth Education will announce the scholarship winners during the American Legion’s Fall Meetings in October 2024. All recipients will be personally notified of their awards.
Since its inception, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has been a source of support for education, awarding over $7.2 million in college scholarships to 2,422 recipients as of 2023. The scholarship fund, initiated with a $5 million endowment from Samsung, is administered by The American Legion. The scholarship award amounts vary, with ten National Scholars receiving $10,000 each, ten National Runners-Up receiving $5,000 each, and the remaining Department Finalists guaranteed $1,250 each.
The 2024 Samsung American Legion Scholarship application can be accessed online, and participants are advised to check with their program coordinators regarding the submission of hard copies, should it be required.
Applicants are urged to explore various resources for locating military documents, including the National Archives and Records Administration, County Clerk and Recorders Office, funeral homes, monument companies, and the Veterans Administration’s eBenefits portal. For any non-military document-related queries, participants are encouraged to contact Scholarships.
For more information about the Samsung Scholarship, click here.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
